At the foot of the Alsatian vineyards, Herrlisheim-près-Colmar stretches along the Lauch. Its location offers two starting points for planning your trip: the landscape and river on the one hand, and cycling connections and historic sites on the other.

Getting there and planning

You can reach Herrlisheim-près-Colmar by train via an SNCF railway station; by car, take departmental road 83. This gives you two ways to get there as a starting point for your planning. First decide how you would like to travel, then shape the rest of your plans around the interests that matter most for your stay.

Cycling routes between forest and the Lauch

Two cycling connections give the surrounding area a clear sense of direction. The route to Rouffach passes through the forest; the cycle path to Colmar runs alongside the Lauch. The contrast is simple: forest on the way to Rouffach, and a riverside route on the way to Colmar. If you plan to include a bike ride in your trip, you can distinguish between the two by their landscapes and destinations.

Buildings and historic milestones

The history of the village can be traced through several milestones. The Lords of Hattstatt began building their castle in Herrlisheim-près-Colmar in 1302. The history of the Tour des Voleurs is said to date back to 1289. Its tall battlements and three loopholes can be seen there. The battlements form the notched upper edge; loopholes are narrow openings in the masonry. This lets you distinguish two different features of the exterior architecture. The two dates refer to different historical connections: 1289 is associated with the Tour des Voleurs, while 1302 marks the start of construction of the castle. The church of Saint-Michel also has its own historical marker: it has a Gothic bell tower dating from the 14th century. The Porche de 1613 is located at 8 rue Principale and adds a precisely dated and located architectural feature to these historic structures.

Washhouse and waterwheel

A former washhouse stands beside an arm of the Lauch. The Waschbach is a former washhouse that has been presented as a visitor attraction. Opposite the former washhouse, a waterwheel recalls the former existence of a watermill. The wheel and the washhouse had different historical functions: one recalls the former watermill, while the other represents the use of the building as a washhouse. This adds a glimpse into everyday history alongside the history of the buildings and the memorial trail.

A memorial trail with a distinct focus

The Stolperstein trail offers a distinctly different historical perspective. It follows the footsteps of Jewish residents who were torn from their community during the Second World War, and includes eight stops. Unlike the buildings, the focus here is not on construction dates and design, but on remembering the residents affected. The number of stops gives the trail a clear structure, while its theme adds a human perspective to the history of the village.

Discover more destinations: Fellering, Soultz-Haut-Rhin, Hartmannswiller, Wickerschwihr, Sainte-Croix-aux-Mines, Kembs, Friesen, Mooslargue.

See the broader travel overview: Haut-Rhin.