Five continuously flowing fountains, extensive woodland, orchards and 16th-century houses reveal different sides of Lutter. Those planning a stay can focus on these specific themes: local history, landscape and paths along the Lutterbach. For culture enthusiasts, the historic Tribunal house is a notable point of interest; those wishing to explore the outdoors can choose from local trails and sections of a waymarked circuit.
Historic Houses and Fountains
In the Jura Alsacien, Lutter has a remarkable collection of houses dating from the 16th and early 17th centuries. They are relatively well preserved compared with their original condition. The collection includes the Tribunal at 62–63 Rue de Kiffis, a historic house dating from the 16th century. Surviving structural elements are dated to 1542; the building is partially listed as a historic monument. The front section was restored in 1973 and 1974 by the Maisons paysannes d’Alsace association. These details trace different chapters in the building’s history without conflating the restoration of the front section with the age of the entire house.
The Callinet organ is also part of Lutter’s history: it was classified as a historic monument by decree on 30 November 2004. Five continuously flowing fountains also add a distinctive feature to the village. They are supplied by the spring at the Krautlaender locality. The fountains, organ and historic houses thus offer different ways to explore local history, from surviving structural elements to a permanent source of running water.
Woodland, Orchards and Habitats
Lutter has 300 hectares of woodland and is surrounded by orchards with more than 1,000 fruit trees. The municipal forest lies on the right bank of the Ill. Its elevation ranges from 430 to 670 metres, with an average elevation of 560 metres. Most of the forest massif lies on the Glaserberg anticline, which opens towards the Wolschwiller depression. Numerous valleys run through the forest.
The orchards and other habitats are also reflected in the information about breeding birds: more than 80 bird species breed in houses, gardens, orchards and the Krautländer. Lutter is also part of the Jura Alsacien Natura site. The site covers 9,315.74 hectares, is a continental ZNIEFF type 2 and is also designated under the Habitats Directive. Orchards, inhabited areas and woodland landscape thus sit alongside a larger, named protected area.
Trails along the Lutterbach and stages in the Jura Alsacien
From Saint-Joseph, you can follow the Lutterbach upstream to a series of small waterfalls. This section is not waymarked. Downstream, a small riverside path leads from Saint-Joseph along the left bank of the Lutterbach.
For a longer route, there is the waymarked Circuit des Trois Châteaux du Jura Alsacien. The circuit is 80 kilometres long and includes a 13.5-kilometre stage from Petit Kohlberg to Lutter and a 20-kilometre stage from Lutter to Leymen. The stage lengths make for a direct comparison: the stated route to Lutter is shorter than the one from there to Leymen.
Process fruit locally
The artisanal Pressoir de FRED is open to visitors. Small quantities of different fruits can also be processed there into fresh or pasteurised juice. Check the visitor arrangements before your visit. This lets you include this specific offering in your plans without assuming particular opening hours.
Discover more destinations: Saint-Louis, Colmar, Gueberschwihr, Fessenheim, Thann, Oberhergheim, Burnhaupt-Le-Haut, Battenheim.
For the overview of the wider area, see: Haut-Rhin.
