Discover Eschbourg

The designated trails and village history offer concrete starting points when choosing a stay in Eschbourg. The audio tour covers topics related to the village; the Circuit des 5 Fontaines adds a longer hike with a panorama near Eschbourg. In Graufthal, the rock dwellings and the remains of the abbey are the main attractions. This puts local history, a stroll, and a longer hike alongside one another as distinct options.

Rock Dwellings and Life in the Rocks

The Maisons des Rochers in Graufthal bring together the residential use of the rocks and the history of the abbey. The spaces were gradually converted from the abbey’s storage rooms into homes. The troglodytic houses are located in two horizontal crevices in the rock. The homes in the first crevice are about seven metres above the village—an illustrative measure of their position in the rock.

During a visit, you can learn about the living conditions of former residents. The exhibition “Des rochers et des hommes” explores how people have used the rocks over the centuries. If the exhibition is important to your plans, check before visiting whether it is currently on display. The living spaces, rock formations, and exhibition offer different ways to explore the theme of life with and among the rocks.

The History of the Abbey in Graufthal

From the 12th to the 16th century, Graufthal Abbey was a Benedictine nunnery. Its remains include a large hall with arcades, built in the third quarter of the 12th century and probably used as a refectory. The construction period is known; the hall’s former function remains a likely interpretation.

The first level of the refectory has survived almost to its full height and is considered unique in Alsace. Alongside the arcades, this preserved room height is a distinctive architectural feature. By decree of 20 December 1988, the architectural elements of the Maisons troglodytiques de Graufthal were listed as historic monuments. The monastic history, architecture, and listed status provide different historical points of interest for a visit.

A Stroll or a Longer Hike

The audio tour “Balade sonore – Découverte du village d’Eschbourg” covers the village church, traditional housing, and former crafts. The tour description, updated on 23 December 2024, lists it as an easy 2.9-kilometre walk with a stated duration of 1 hour and 30 minutes. This makes the tour a manageable time commitment while exploring topics related to the village’s history.

The Circuit des 5 Fontaines is an 8-kilometre walking trail with a stated duration of 2 hours and 30 minutes. It starts at the church car park in Graufthal and leads to a panoramic viewpoint near Eschbourg overlooking the Vosges massif. The stated durations differ by one hour, and the route lengths by 5.1 kilometres. You can compare the two walking options by time available, distance, and interest in their respective themes.

“Les Maisons des Rochers” Mountain Bike Route

Mountain biking adds another type of route. “Les Maisons des Rochers” is listed as an easy mountain bike route taking three hours, with 396 metres of ascent. It follows a forest track along the Rehbach to the entrance to Graufthal. The duration and ascent describe the route profile; the listed course is also relevant when planning. As route details may change, check the current route information before planning.

Discover more destinations: Hoenheim, Fegersheim, Langensoultzbach, Urmatt, Bouxwiller, Wintzenbach, Eschau, Birkenwald

Go to the main travel overview: Bas-Rhin.