Merxheim: Church, Lauch and Alsatian History

Merxheim lies on the Alsatian plain, equidistant from the three main routes A 35, RD 83 and RD 430. These three named routes provide a way to locate the town. Local points of interest include the Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, archaeological traces from various periods, and the Lauch, which connects the landscape with the town’s history. If you are looking for a hotel in Merxheim, you could start by considering which of these themes you would like to shape your stay.

Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul

The bell-tower porch of the Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul dates from the late 11th or early 12th century; the nave and choir were rebuilt in 1771 and 1772. These dates refer to different parts of the building: the porch therefore belongs to a considerably earlier phase than the nave and choir.

The “la plaine à vélo” cycling route also takes riders to the Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul in Merxheim. This directly connects the route’s cycling theme with the building and its history. If you plan to follow the route, check the latest route information before setting off, as signage and conditions may change.

Archaeological traces

Merxheim was already inhabited in the 3rd millennium BC. Prehistoric finds include a large reconstructed urn, which is housed at the Musée Unterlinden in Colmar. Remains of villas and a hypocaust date from the Roman settlement. A hypocaust is an ancient heating system; the term adds an architectural and technical dimension to the villa remains. The prehistoric finds and Roman remains thus represent two clearly distinct historical periods.

The timeline stretches from Merxheim’s settlement in the 3rd millennium BC, through the Roman traces, to the phases of the church’s construction. The bell-tower porch dates from the late 11th or early 12th century; the nave and choir were rebuilt in 1771 and 1772. At the beginning of the 20th century, a textile factory was established, using the power of the Lauch. This sequence places the archaeological, ecclesiastical and industrial themes in different periods.

The Lauch: landscape and industry

The Lauch is a tranquil river; its water level fluctuates depending on rainfall in the Vosges massif. It is also part of Merxheim’s industrial history: at the beginning of the 20th century, a textile factory was established in the town and used the power of the Lauch, which flows through the village. Alongside its varying water levels, this brings the river’s former use as a source of hydropower into focus. The history of textiles offers a different perspective on the town’s past from its church and archaeological traces.

Planning information

There is an electric vehicle charging station at Merxheim railway station. If you are travelling by electric vehicle, you can factor in this location when planning your journey; check the charging station’s current availability in advance.

Discover more destinations: Moosch, Turckheim, Vogelgrun, Rombach-Le-Franc, Flaxlanden, Huningue, Zimmersheim, Aubure

Return to the overview of destinations: Haut-Rhin.