Hochstatt brings together a precisely datable organ history, church architecture, bells, events and a walking route. The village lies at an altitude of 285 metres on one of the first hills of the Sundgau and is described as one of the gateways to the region. This gives you a range of starting points for planning your trip: cultural history, a route with specific details, or a date from the events programme.
Organ History and Church Architecture
The Callinet organ in Hochstatt was built by Claude Ignace Callinet and installed in 1836. Antoine Berger added a second manual in 1874. A manual is a keyboard, so the addition represents a later expansion of the instrument. There were 38 years between its installation and this alteration. The organ’s history can therefore be viewed in two clear stages: its construction and the later change to its specification.
Another architectural detail can be found at the entrance to the choir of the Church of Saint-Pierre-et-Paul: a keystone sits there, probably from the earlier church. While the organ’s history is tied to the years 1836 and 1874, the keystone’s origin remains uncertain. The bells, “Messagères du Ciel” (“Messengers of Heaven”), add another dimension to this cultural history through their role in parish life: they call people to prayer, summon parishioners to gather and announce celebrations.
Events and Walking Route
The Hochstatt Events Committee organises events throughout the year. These include the Fêtes de l’été, the Mystères du Patrimoine, a Christmas market and open-air cinema. The programme ranges from seasonal celebrations and a market to heritage events and film. The Mystères du Patrimoine is a treasure hunt through Hochstatt’s heritage, accompanied by theatrical performances; individual editions may vary. If you would like to plan your trip around an event, check the dates for the relevant edition in advance.
Route R 594 starts in Hochstatt. The route description, published in April 2023, gives a distance of 7.44 kilometres, an elevation gain of 135 metres and an approximate duration of two hours. It rates the route as easy and describes it as suitable for mountain bikes. The distance, elevation gain and duration provide specific information to help you plan your time; the difficulty rating and suitability are based on this description. As trail conditions can change, check the latest conditions before setting off.
Farm-Gate Sales
Food is another local attraction: the farm of M. and Mme Haenlin in Hochstatt sells veal, eggs, potatoes and milk directly from the farm. If you are planning to buy a particular product, check its current availability, as the selection may change.
These topics offer different ways to shape your stay: the organ and keystone invite you to explore musical and architectural history, while Route R 594 offers a route with specific time and elevation details. Events can provide an additional reason to choose particular travel dates; the farm shop focuses on specific food products. This allows you to choose Hochstatt based on the interests that matter most for your trip.
Discover more destinations: Oberlarg, Zimmerbach, Neuf-Brisach, Winkel, Ammerzwiller, Lutter, Osenbach, Village-Neuf.
For the regional travel overview: Haut-Rhin.
