Discover Drachenbronn-Birlenbach

Drachenbronn-Birlenbach offers two distinct highlights for a stay: elevated paths and routes along the stream, as well as gardens, mill history, and heritage sites. In Drachenbronn, the Chemin des Cimes Alsace leads above the treetops; in Birlenbach, the Jardin du Presbytère and the Protestant church are other specific local highlights. You can plan your visit according to whether you would rather experience a trail or explore details about the garden, mills, and heritage preservation.

Treetop walkway and arrival

The Chemin des Cimes Alsace is a 1,050-meter-long walkway above the treetops that leads to the top of a 29-meter-high observation tower. The attractions of the Forêt d'Aventure are made from natural materials and designed so that parents can play with their children.

Visitors to the Chemin des Cimes Alsace can use a free parking lot in Drachenbronn next to the 7 Fontaines swimming pool. A free shuttle takes visitors from the Chemin des Cimes Alsace parking lot to the entrance to the walkway.

Mill trail and landscape

The circular trail around the Moulin des Sept Fontaines follows a stream that once powered seven mills. These mills were decommissioned in 1924 after water supply facilities were developed for the municipality. On the return route, a wide dirt track runs through an oak forest with trees that are, in some cases, several centuries old.

The Moulin des 7 Fontaines in Drachenbronn dates back to 1772. The circular trail brings together several aspects: the route along the stream, the history of the mills' former use, and the oak forest on the return route.

Garden and plants

The Jardin du Presbytère in Birlenbach has been open to visitors since 2020. It consists of three areas: a garden of biblical or Christianized plants, a medicinal herb garden connected to the history of Birlenbach in the 17th century, and a grandmother's garden featuring old ornamental plant varieties. The three-part layout links different plant themes with local history; the medicinal herb garden specifically relates to Birlenbach's past in the 17th century.

The Jardin du Presbytère also contains a scale model of the château and garden of Catharinenburg. Both are represented in the model at a scale of 1:15. The model therefore includes not only the château but also its garden.

Murals and historic objects

The elementary school at 8 rue Louis-Philippe-Kamm in Drachenbronn-Birlenbach dates back to 1955. The murals “Terre d'Alsace” and “La Forêt enchantée,” together with the wall supporting them, were partially listed as a Monument historique by decree dated September 5, 1996.

The tombstone of Jean Georges de Dahn is in the Protestant church in Birlenbach. A partly illegible German inscription mentions his death in childhood in 1575. Since September 14, 1998, the tombstone has been protected as an object under French heritage law.

The dates refer to different things: 1955 dates the school building, while 1996 is the date of the decree concerning the murals and their supporting wall. The year 1575 is mentioned in the tomb inscription, whereas 1998 is the date the tombstone was protected. This distinction helps avoid confusing the construction date, inscription, and heritage protection.

Two different trail experiences

The key consideration when choosing between the two trail experiences is what each one offers. The Chemin des Cimes Alsace focuses on the path above the treetops and the destination at the top of the observation tower. By contrast, the stream, the mills' former use, and the oak forest on the return route shape the circular trail around the Moulin des Sept Fontaines. You can choose your outing according to whether you prefer a treetop route or a combination of stream, mill history, and forest.

Discover more destinations: Olwisheim, Schillersdorf, Nothalten, Scherwiller, Wasselonne, Kertzfeld, Marlenheim, Eckbolsheim.

For the regional travel overview: Bas-Rhin.