Illfurth: Chapels, History and Nature

Illfurth brings together several distinct themes for travelers: early church history, traces of the First World War, and limestone landscapes with woodland and dry grassland. The Burnkirch Chapel and Saint-Brice represent different architectural and artistic histories; the Old Bell Tower and the oppidum add to the historical picture. The Le circuit du Haulenwald trail combines hiking with military heritage. The Massif du Britzgyberg and Bluttenberg add specific natural features to explore.

Chapels and Historic Sites in Illfurth

The Burnkirch Chapel in Illfurth was founded in the early 8th century. The chapel contains 15th-century frescoes that are classified as historic monuments. The foundation and the frescoes date from markedly different periods, making the chapel a specific point of interest for travelers interested in church art and history.

The Burnkirch Chapel offers self-guided visits as well as guided visits for individuals and groups. Check the visiting arrangements locally before you arrive so you can plan the type of visit that suits you. Saint-Brice Chapel also tells a story of construction in several stages: it was rebuilt in 1870, extended in 1925 and restored in 1998. This sequence differs from the long history of the Burnkirch Chapel and gives Saint-Brice its own historical significance.

The Old Bell Tower of Illfurth is the only surviving remnant of the former church, which was demolished in 1973. The oppidum in Illfurth offers another perspective on the history of the area: it covers five hectares and has two interlocking terraces and a defensive ditch. Its size, terrain and ditch give this archaeological site a different character from the chapels and bell tower.

Hiking the Le circuit du Haulenwald Trail

The Le circuit du Haulenwald trail is 6.5 kilometers long, has an elevation gain of 100 meters and takes about two hours. It starts at the Burnkirch Church. Its distance, elevation gain and approximate walking time provide practical information for planning your day; check trail conditions before your trip.

Along the trail, visitors can discover First World War bunkers, the site of a large gun near the Burnkirch Church, and several casemates. The route thus connects the trail with a range of military relics. If you are interested in this history, the trail offers a way to explore these sites as part of a described hike.

Limestone Landscapes and Nature at Britzgyberg

The Massif du Britzgyberg includes a heat-loving beech and oak forest and a small area of dry grassland on a limestone slope above the Ill Valley. Woodland and dry grassland form two distinct habitats here. At Bluttenberg, the dry limestone grassland is home to around ten orchid species. This approximate number shows that the plant life is a reason in its own right to explore the limestone areas nearby.

A small population of yellow-bellied toads also lives in the forested area of the Massif du Britzgyberg. The northernmost known populations along the Ill Valley are located there. This gives you two different nature themes to consider when planning your trip: the forest habitat at Britzgyberg, home to the yellow-bellied toad, and the dry limestone grassland at Bluttenberg, with its orchids. Together with the chapels, the oppidum and the military-history trail, these features make it easy to plan your time in Illfurth around the interests that matter to you.

Discover more destinations: Rouffach, Horbourg-Wihr, Carspach, Hagenthal-Le-Haut, Burnhaupt-Le-Haut, Wihr-Au-Val, Orschwihr, Lutterbach

For the broader travel overview: Haut-Rhin.