Pfaffenheim brings together Schauenberg as a place of pilgrimage and trails that explore winegrowing and cultural heritage. There are several options to consider when planning: the chapel’s history, a two-hour circular route and a 3.3-kilometre promenade through the vineyards. When comparing tours, you can therefore take into account both the time required and the themes and scenery.
Pilgrimage and architectural history at Schauenberg
The Notre-Dame du Schauenberg pilgrimage chapel is located at Schauenberg in Pfaffenheim and is listed as a historic monument. The Marian pilgrimage at Schauenberg developed in the early 15th century. The present-day chapel corresponds to a 17th-century building: the nave has a single aisle, and the choir has a flat northern end. The pilgrimage and the architectural form therefore belong to different historical periods. A single-aisle nave has one main space; the flat end describes the shape of the choir.
The sanctuary at Schauenberg can be reached by car via a forest road. A car park is 300 metres from the sanctuary; there is also a car park near the chapel for people with reduced mobility. Check local conditions before setting out.
Two trails with different planning details
The “Sentier Vignoble et Spiritualité” circular route starts at Pfaffenheim town hall. Rated as a moderate hike, it takes two hours and leads to Saint-Léonard Chapel and the Devil’s Stone, known as “the Devil’s stone.” The combination of duration, difficulty level and named destinations makes the route easy to assess. Trail conditions may vary seasonally; take this into account when planning.
The “Grand Cru Steinert” promenade offers a different kind of tour. At 3.3 kilometres, it leads through Pfaffenheim’s vineyards to the Grand Cru Steinert. Information panels cover vines, wine and cultural heritage. The promenade is open year-round and offers panoramic views across the Alsatian plain and the surrounding wine villages. The panoramic terrace at Schauenberg also offers a wide view across the Alsatian plain.
Different details are useful when comparing the routes: the circular route is defined by its duration and difficulty level, while the promenade is described by its distance and information topics. This lets you choose a type of tour based on your preferred time frame or your interest in winegrowing and cultural heritage.
Renaissance houses and getting there
Pfaffenheim has numerous Renaissance patrician houses. Their grand towers, with staircases made of hewn stone, have been preserved. The towers are associated with a wine trade that was probably flourishing. Together with the pilgrimage chapel, the houses reveal other aspects of the town’s history: religious development, sacred architecture and Renaissance architecture.
Pfaffenheim is served by a regular bus and/or tram connection. If you are planning to travel by public transport, check the current network before setting out.
Discover more destinations: Walbach, Niederhergheim, Ammerschwihr, Colmar, Lutter, Neuf-Brisach, Brunstatt, Stosswihr
For the broader travel overview: Haut-Rhin.
