Saint-Martin gives Grentzingen a clear historical landmark: construction of the present parish church began in 1782 and was completed in 1784. Local architecture, the Véloroute de l’Ill, walks and fishing on the Ill offer a range of interests. If you are looking for a holiday rental in Grentzingen, you can first decide what to focus on during your stay; the activities also differ in their specific planning requirements.
Saint-Martin: architectural and organ history
The nave of the present parish church has four bays. It leads to a rounded choir with a polygonal apse; the side tower stands on the north side of the choir, and the sacristy on its south side. The term “four-bay” describes the nave’s division into four bays. Together with the shape of the choir and the positions of the tower and sacristy, this gives a clear picture of the building’s layout.
An earlier Saint-Martin church near the Ill was the mother church of Grentzingen, Henflingen, Oberdorf and Waldighoffen. The organ also has its own sequence of work: François Antoine Berger rebuilt it in 1863. In autumn 1931, Georges Schwenkedel completely rebuilt its instrumental section. These dates therefore mark different stages in the history of the church and its organ.
Village character and timber-framed buildings
The road through Grentzingen runs parallel to the Ill and reveals a striking group of buildings, most of which date from the 18th and 19th centuries. This view of several buildings complements the history of the individual parish church with a broader picture of the village.
Between 1798 and 1804, at least five carpenters worked in Grentzingen and neighbouring Ruederbach. Their buildings followed the rural architectural style of the 18th century. Features include an independent load-bearing structure for each residential floor and symmetrically arranged timber. This makes it possible to consider the construction and arrangement of the timber as two distinct aspects of these building forms.
Cycling on the Véloroute de l’Ill
The Véloroute de l’Ill runs from Altkirch to Hippoltskirch in the Alsatian Jura and includes a section between Grentzingen and Henflingen. The route is 30 km long. The elevation gain is 140 m in the Hippoltskirch–Altkirch direction and 320 m in the opposite direction. When planning, it is worth comparing the figures for your chosen direction. Published route specifications may be revised, and surface conditions can also change. Check the latest information before setting out.
Walks and views
A route description published on 24 August 2018 takes walkers through the Illtal area to the forests of Grentzingen and into the Riesbach valley. Check local conditions before setting out.
Panoramic view at the edge of the forest
A walk at the edge of the forest offers panoramic views of the Ill valley. Conditions at the viewpoint may change; check them before your walk.
Fishing on the Ill
In the APP d’Illtal fishing area between Grentzingen and Oberdorf, fishing along the Ill is possible on the municipal land of Grentzingen and Oberdorf. An annual permit is the only permit required. Check local fishing regulations and permit requirements again before your trip.
Discover more destinations: Neuf-Brisach, Colmar, Osenbach, Sainte-Croix-aux-Mines, Thannenkirch, Horbourg-Wihr, Soultz-Haut-Rhin, Beblenheim.
For the regional travel overview: Haut-Rhin.
