Bergheim: History and walks

Bergheim can be explored through several historical themes and walks. The Maison des Sorcières is a permanent, continually evolving exhibition about the witch trials held in Bergheim between 1582 and 1683. Drawing on the city’s archives, it presents the historical context of the 40 trials held in Bergheim. If you are interested in the trials and how they fit into the city’s history, the exhibition provides a clear focus for your stay.

Historic Buildings and Historical Records

Bergheim’s present-day synagogue was rebuilt from 1860 to 1863 on the site of its predecessor. At the Église catholique de l'Assomption de la Bienheureuse Vierge Marie, the western tower portal preserves a Gothic relief of the Adoration of the Magi. Wall paintings from the 15th century were discovered in the church in 1957. The historical accounts focus on different details: rebuilding on the site of the former synagogue, a specific artistic motif, and the discovery of older paintings.

Bergheim’s painted sundial dates from 1711. It shows the hours, the changing seasons, and the position of the sun in the zodiac. It therefore does more than tell the time: it also displays the course of the year and the sun’s position in the zodiac. In the Herrengarten stands the thousand-year-old lime tree, considered the oldest tree in the surrounding area. It was designated an Arbre Remarquable in 2017. The sundial and the lime tree represent two different scales of time: one shows the time of day and the seasons, while the other is described as a thousand years old.

Grasberg and the Memorial Site

Bergheim’s German military cemetery is located on Grasberg. The graves of 5,308 German soldiers who died in the Second World War lie there. The cemetery covers four hectares on a hill 337 meters high. A well-maintained road leads uphill from Bergheim to the cemetery. As signs and road conditions may change, check the current directions when planning a visit.

Walks by Duration or Distance

The Circuit de découverte de Bergheim is a one-hour walk intended for the general public. The Sentier viticole de Bergheim is a very easy 4.1-kilometer walk. Information panels along the wine trail cover wine and Alsatian winegrowing. The routes are described using different reference points: the Circuit emphasizes its one-hour duration, while the Sentier viticole is described by its distance and very easy difficulty rating. The route description for the wine trail was updated in February 2026; route details may change. Check the current description if you are using this information to plan your visit.

Weekly Market and Local Produce

Bergheim’s weekly market offers fruit, vegetables, and meat from producers in the Pays de Ribeauvillé et Riquewihr. The mix of producers may change. If a particular product is important to your visit, check what is currently available.

Discover more destinations: Bantzenheim, Eschbach-Au-Val, Chavannes-Sur-L’étang, Wittenheim, Soppe-le-Bas, Illfurth, Wasserbourg, Ammerschwihr.

Return to the regional travel overview: Haut-Rhin.