A parish church documented since 1371, a distinctive episode in Amish history and a six-kilometre botanical trail offer several very different points of interest in Ohnenheim. Historical themes also include a Hallstatt-period wagon burial and the private Alsace 39/45 military collection; in the Ried, by contrast, the focus is on the relationship between trees and landscape. When choosing where to stay, what matters is therefore not just the number of sights, but above all the kind of discovery you are looking for: architectural history, historical context, a visit that requires an appointment or nature-related themes.
Saint-Grégoire Church and its building phases
The parish church of Saint-Grégoire is documented as far back as 1371. It was extensively remodelled in the late 18th century: the nave was demolished and rebuilt, while the medieval choir tower was retained. The renovation is thought to date to 1777–1778. The early documentary record and the later changes reflect different aspects of the church: 1371 relates to its historical record, while the renovation concerns changes to the building itself.
Local history and archaeological traces
In 1660, the Amish signed the Convention de foi commune at a remote farm in Ohnenheim; the farm is now a mill. The Ohnenheim tumuli also include a Hallstatt-period wagon burial discovered in 1917. The dates should be kept distinct: 1660 marks the signing, while 1917 marks the discovery; the wagon burial itself dates to the Hallstatt period. These traces point to a local history that cannot be reduced to a single era.
Plan your visit to the collection
The private Alsace 39/45 military collection displays 40 mannequins and numerous artefacts across 150 m². Guided visits are available. Visits are by appointment only, with a maximum of four people per group. Plan to visit the collection at a set time and in a small group. As booking arrangements may change, confirm your appointment in advance.
The Ried landscape and botanical trail
The Forêts Riediennes botanical trail is 6 km long and follows the Blind groundwater stream through the Ried landscapes of Ohnenheim. Almost 20 information panels cover trees and various facets of the Ried landscape. The trail therefore draws attention both to individual tree-related themes and to the Ried’s landscape; its length is a different aspect from the subjects covered by the panels. The Parc et Jardin de la Romance offers another perspective: it is home to centuries-old willows and is located in front of a former 17th-century farmhouse. These nature-related attractions can be compared on different scales: Forêts Riediennes brings together trees and the Ried landscape along a six-kilometre trail; de la Romance focuses on its centuries-old willows and the former farmhouse.
The two attractions involve different planning requirements: the collection requires an appointment and limits group size, while the trail’s length and information panels give it a landscape-focused emphasis. If you would like to include both, the collection appointment is the fixed point in your plans; you can arrange your other interests around it.
Discover more destinations: Ingwiller, Odratzheim, Neuwiller-Lès-Saverne, Ittenheim, Blaesheim, Huttenheim, Waldhambach, Lichtenberg
See the regional travel overview: Bas-Rhin.
