Lac de Sewen is a defining natural feature of the area: it is one of the rarest glacial overdeepened lakes in the Vosges in Alsace and, according to geologists, is the best-preserved. Sewen is located in the Ballons des Vosges Regional Nature Park. Alongside its landscapes, the village offers historic architecture and various ways to shape your stay around a walk, a hike or culture.
Lac de Sewen and trails through the valley
The flora and fauna of Lac de Sewen are protected. Walks around the lake are possible; it is a 15-minute walk from the village. Parking is available in the church square. Check local conditions before your visit.
The Lac de Sewen and Lac d’Alfeld circular route starts in the village centre, passes Lac de Sewen and continues to Lac d’Alfeld. It follows marked Club Vosgien trails through a beech and fir forest. This route therefore links the two lakes in a clearly described sequence and offers a different focus from a walk around Lac de Sewen.
The time estimates for two other hikes also make for a useful comparison. A hike of about 40 minutes starts at the Lac d’Alfeld dam and leads to the chalet and the waterfall cascade; along the way, there are views of the Doller Valley. The two-hour walk from the Ferme-auberge du Grand Langenberg passes through a wild, unspoilt forest landscape. The different durations and landscape highlights provide a practical guide for planning your day.
Village history and a puzzle trail
The Notre-Dame Church in Sewen was consecrated in 1524. Its choir tower is believed to date from the 13th century; the nave was rebuilt in the late 15th or early 16th century. A statue of the Virgin Mary in the church was the focus of a very popular pilgrimage in the 16th and early 17th centuries. The cemetery chapel, a former ossuary, has been partially protected as a historic monument since 1921.
The Balade ludique à Sewen combines exercise with a look at the village’s architecture. It runs through the streets of the village and around Lac de Sewen; puzzles bring the village’s architecture to life. The activity offers three versions for children aged 4 to 12 and for the whole family.
Dining and finding accommodation
The Ferme-auberge du Hinteralfeld is accessible by car; several hiking trails lead to it or from it into the surrounding area. It serves homemade products such as saucisson, as well as goat, pork and beef. Guests are welcome for lunch and dinner. This makes it easy to plan a meal as a separate part of the day, alongside the trails by the lake or through the countryside.
Discover more destinations: Katzenthal, Baldersheim, Soultzeren, Bergholtz, Muhlbach-Sur-Munster, Dietwiller, Winkel, Bantzenheim.
Back to the regional travel overview: Haut-Rhin.
