Kembs between Roman history and industrial heritage

Kembs can be explored through two distinctive themes: the history of transport routes and the relationship between water engineering and architecture. The ancient station of Cambete stood at a crossroads of Roman routes running north–south and east–west, as well as at a crossing over the Rhine. The hydroelectric power plant, the lock and an exhibition on local history offer further perspectives. When planning your trip, you can explore these themes separately: Roman road history, industrial architecture, or the development of Kembs from antiquity to the present day.

Roman roads and the history of Kembs

Cambete’s location on transport routes is central to its story. The ancient station stood where routes running north–south and east–west met, and at a crossing over the Rhine. This brings together two distinct aspects: the crossroads of routes in both directions and the river crossing. To place Kembs in its historical context, you can focus on this transport hub rather than viewing Cambete simply as an isolated station.

Kembs hydroelectric power plant: technology and architecture

The Kembs hydroelectric power plant was inaugurated by President of France Albert Lebrun in 1932. Since 2015, it has held the French “Architecture contemporaine remarquable” label. These dates point to different aspects: its historic inauguration and the later recognition of its architecture. At the power plant, the Jardin des Nixes leads to an exhibition corridor from which visitors can see the turbine hall. This offers a way to connect the architectural context with a direct view of the turbine hall.

Kembs-Niffer lock and its architecture

The Kembs-Niffer lock is the auxiliary lock at the Niffer lock site. It lies where the Grand Canal d’Alsace and the Canal du Rhône au Rhin meet at the Rhine. The lock’s two buildings, designed by Le Corbusier, have been protected as Monuments historiques since 2005 and are considered a rare example of 20th-century architecture at an industrial site. The outdoor area is freely accessible year-round; separate rules apply to the interior. This means you can plan a visit to the freely accessible outdoor area independently of the rules for entering the buildings.

Local history at the Maison du Patrimoine

The Maison du Patrimoine presents the history of Kembs from antiquity to the present day through permanent exhibitions. Objects, eyewitness accounts and archival documents are part of the exhibition. These different materials offer different ways to explore local history: objects, personal memories and archival documents. Guided tours are available by arrangement. Bear this requirement in mind if you would like to include a guided tour in your visit plans.

Waterways and routes around Kembs

The Port de plaisance de Kembs is located on a stretch of water that was once part of the Canal de Huningue. From there, pleasure boaters can reach the Grand Canal d’Alsace and the Canal du Rhône au Rhin via the large Kembs-Niffer locks. The port and the locks provide access to the waterways, while Cambete is associated with the ancient crossroads and the Rhine crossing.

The reference points also differ when it comes to cycling routes. Basel provides access to EuroVelo 6; the Huningue Canal passes through the Petite Camargue Alsacienne on its way to Kembs. A Voie Verte runs as a forest road from south to north through the state-owned Hardt Forest. These details describe different route connections: access to EuroVelo 6 near Basel, the canal’s route to Kembs and a forest road through the Hardt Forest. Check the current route and signage when planning your ride.

Discover more destinations: Neuwiller, Muhlbach-Sur-Munster, Nambsheim, Sainte-Croix-En-Plaine, Rodern, Bergholtz, Jebsheim, Lautenbachzell.

For the regional travel overview: Haut-Rhin.