The tower of Saint-Barthélemy, the cultural use of the Reformed church, and the history of the horse market give Schleithal several points of cultural and historical interest. At the same time, traditional houses and farms line the main street; the landscape around Schleithal consists of hills shaped by agriculture. During your stay, you can combine the village’s history with a longer hike or a cycling route.

Churches and Village History

The tower and older parts of Saint-Barthélemy Church date stylistically from the late 15th century or, more likely, the early 16th century. The church also contains two altarpieces from the side altars. Both are classified as protected objects; this classification took place on June 28, 1972. These details reflect different periods: the stylistic dating concerns the tower and older parts of the church, while the date of 1972 records the classification of the two altarpieces.

The Reformed church offers a different perspective. It was built as a combination of a place of worship, a school, and a teacher’s residence. Today, it hosts cultural and musical events, especially those centered around the cithar, a traditional Alsatian instrument. In this way, Schleithal’s historic architectural forms are combined with contemporary cultural use.

The historic horse market and its races are also part of the village’s history. The market and races were known for their quality and were associated with the breeding of high-quality half-blood horses. These horses were used for riding, military purposes, and harness work. This historical connection adds another theme to the church history: the importance of horse breeding and the horses’ various uses.

Village and Landscape

Traditional houses and farms line the main street, reflecting the village’s rural identity. Schleithal is also set amid hills shaped by agriculture and by many years of human activity. The village’s architecture and its cultural landscape therefore contribute to the setting on two different scales: the houses and farms shape the street, while the hills define the wider landscape.

Hiking and Cycling

The “Lignes de la Lauter” hiking trail is 19 km long and takes about six hours. After the Bienwaldmühle, the route reaches Schleithal and passes through the village. Its approximate duration makes this a longer activity, with a visit to the village along the way.

On the “Circuit à vélo: des champs de bataille de 1870 au village le plus long d’Alsace” cycling loop, a cycle route heads toward Schleithal. It follows the road for about 3.5 km before reaching the village. Unlike the hiking route, this road-side section ends at Schleithal, while the hiking route passes through the village. The two options therefore differ both in mode of travel and in the village’s role along each route.

If you are looking for accommodation in Schleithal, you can focus your search on what you want from your trip: the churches, altarpieces, and horse market history make for a cultural and historical stay; the hiking trail and cycling loop offer different ways to include the village in an activity. First, consider whether the village’s history or one of the routes is the main reason for your stay.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Scharrachbergheim-Irmstett, Andlau, Saverne, Ichtratzheim, Mutzig, Boofzheim, Reipertswiller, Hinsbourg.

For the broader travel overview: Bas-Rhin.