Saint-Amarin: History and the Thur Valley

Saint-Amarin can be explored through several themes: the history of the valley, historic buildings, and walking and cycling routes in the Thur Valley. When planning your trip, it is worth keeping these themes separate. The exhibitions and buildings tell of different periods and functions, while the routes take in the valley’s landscapes and villages.

The Valley’s History at the Musée Serret

The permanent exhibitions at the Musée Serret cover the history of the Saint-Amarin Valley from prehistoric times onward. The collections broaden this chronological and thematic scope: they include extensive holdings on the two World Wars and the Alsatian Resistance, as well as local industrial, artistic and everyday history. Political upheavals are thus presented alongside themes from the region’s daily and economic life.

The collections are housed in a former Alsatian mobile hospital. The place where the exhibits are housed therefore has a historical connection of its own. For anyone interested in regional history, the Musée Serret offers an introduction spanning everything from prehistoric times to more recent chapters in the valley’s story.

Historic Buildings and Their Functions

The Tour Diffor is a medieval tower dating from the 13th century, built at the same time as the castle. The Schlessel, also called “schlössel” or “petit château,” is a house that the De Grand-Champs family had built in 1807 on the site of Saint-Amarin’s former feudal castle. The histories of the two buildings therefore differ both in date and in their relationship to the castle: the tower was built along with it, while the house was built later on its former site.

The Maison du Bailli also links a historic function with a significant location. From the 13th to the 18th century, it served as the seat of the bailiffs of Saint-Amarin. At the same time, the Maison du Bailli marks the site of the medieval north gate. These two connections—the administrative seat and the town gate—offer different insights into the town’s history.

The Maison des Monnaies represents another part of this history. It was established in Saint-Amarin in 1544 as the Murbach Abbey mint. Talers, half-talers and quarter-talers were minted there. You can still enter the historic Maison des Monnaies through the bakery or flower shop located there. If you plan to visit, bear in mind that access is through one of these shops.

Vogelbach and Walking Routes in the Saint-Amarin Valley

The waterways also provide specific points of reference in the landscape. The Vogelbach rises at the foot of the Hundskopf, at an altitude of over 1,000 metres, and then flows into the Thur. Its source, elevation and course can thus be linked to three named geographical points. To plan walking routes, Ecobalade routes in the Saint-Amarin Valley are available as PDFs or from the tourist office.

Cycling in the Thur Valley

The information describes two different focuses for cycling trips. The Le tour d’Urbès VTT FFC n°25 mountain-biking route passes through villages and landscapes of the Thur Valley. Various places that have shaped its past also lie along the route. The description thus connects a ride through the valley with its history, without naming individual historic sites.

The Circuit de la Thur also passes through the Thur Valley. The landscapes mentioned include the lake and the Thur, as well as meadows, forests and villages. By comparison, the description of this cycling tour places greater emphasis on water, nature and settlements, while Le tour d’Urbès also highlights the historical influence of the places along the way. The two routes can therefore be distinguished by the themes described.

If you are looking for a hotel in Saint-Amarin, consider whether you would rather base your stay around the museum and local history or around walking and cycling routes in the Thur Valley. These themes offer different starting points for organising your travel plans before searching for suitable hotel options at your destination.

Discover more destinations: Wittenheim, Guebwiller, Wickerschwihr, Morschwiller-Le-Bas, Sainte-Croix-aux-Mines, Saint-Hippolyte, Saint-Louis, Luttenbach-près-Munster.

For the broader travel overview: Haut-Rhin.