Reichshoffen: Iron Industry, Architecture and Nature

Reichshoffen can be explored through a range of themes: local archaeology and the iron industry, buildings with a history of their own, and nature at the Plan d’eau. There is also a cultural centre with theatre, dance and music performances, as well as a cinema. This gives you a choice of different focuses when planning your trip, rather than viewing the town through just one subject.

Cultural history and architecture

The Musée Historique et Industriel – Musée du Fer is a French “Musée de France”. It is dedicated to local archaeology and the iron industry, particularly in connection with the De Dietrich company. The ground floor presents the history of Reichshoffen from the Middle Ages to the French Revolution, as well as the first blast furnaces and forges of the industrial age. The museum therefore covers both the town’s long history and the beginnings of regional industry.

The town’s architectural history can also be traced through specific dates and materials: the main structure of the Église Saint-Michel was built between 1772 and 1774; the church was constructed from Vosges sandstone. The Carillon de l’Europe at Saint-Michel consists of 30 bells. Château De Dietrich is one of Reichshoffen’s three historic monuments. If you plan to visit the château, check access arrangements in advance.

Another historic site stands on the heights of Reichshoffen, towards Frœschwiller: a monument erected in 1970 to mark the centenary of the charge of the cuirassiers. The museum, church, château and monument each offer a different perspective, from industrial and architectural history to commemorating a historic event.

Nature at the Plan d’eau and trails

Reichshoffen is a gateway town (ville-porte) to the Parc naturel régional des Vosges du Nord. A total of 130 species have been recorded since 1982 at the Plan d’eau and in the surrounding wetlands of the Réserve naturelle régionale de Reichshoffen, including about 40 breeding bird species. These figures refer to the lake and the adjacent wetlands.

The Plan d’eau grounds include a footpath around the lake, as well as quiet areas and picnic spots. There is also a botanical trail, a fitness trail and a birdwatching station. The footpath created in 2008 is separate: it connects the town centre with the Plan d’eau and runs along the Schwarzbach. This means there are two distinct types of route: a connection between two points of interest and a circuit around the lake.

The fitness trail is 2,200 metres long and has 23 exercise stations. If you would like to include some exercise in your trip plans, its length and number of stations give you a clear idea of what it offers.

Cultural programme at la castine

The la castine cultural centre in Reichshoffen offers theatre, dance and music performances. It also runs a cinema with arthouse screenings and film discussions. This adds a current cultural programme to the historical themes; individual listings may change. So if you have a particular performance in mind, check the current programme.

Discover more destinations: Fegersheim, Hœrdt, Waltenheim-sur-Zorn, Lipsheim, Russ, Rœschwoog, Le Hohwald, Mutzig.

For the broader travel overview: Bas-Rhin.