Discover Kurtzenhouse: church, half-timbered houses and the Lohgraben

Kurtzenhouse can be explored from two perspectives: through historic buildings in the village and along the Le vallon du Lohgraben circular trail, which passes through the municipality. The named buildings include the Saint Michel simultaneum church, the town hall and a historic farm complex. The trail complements this architectural focus with traditional half-timbered houses and a landscape of river terraces, small valleys and the winding Lohgraben. If you are looking for a hotel in Kurtzenhouse, this distinction can help you decide on a theme for your trip: architectural history in the village or scenery along a route that crosses several municipalities.

Saint Michel: a church with simultaneum status

The mixed-denomination Saint Michel simultaneum church is one of the few Alsatian churches that still hold simultaneum status; Kurtzenhouse has had this status since 1843. The church was rebuilt in the neoclassical style in 1784. The dates refer to different aspects: 1784 to the rebuilding, and 1843 to the start of the stated status. The church’s architectural history and denominational context thus offer two distinct historical perspectives on the same building.

The nave contains three statues from the 18th century. They depict Saint Michael subduing the dragon, Saint Nicholas and Saint Louis. The furnishings therefore focus on specific figures and motifs as well as the building’s history. Visitors interested in church architecture will find at Saint Michel both a neoclassical reconstruction and a clearly identified group of historic statues.

Town hall and historic farm

The town hall’s main façade features arcades, a wrought-iron balcony and a clock. Directly next door is the historic farm complex, dating from the late 18th century. It comprises an Alsatian-style house and outbuildings arranged around a courtyard. The complex is currently being restored.

The two buildings make different architectural statements: the description of the town hall focuses on the design of its main façade, while the arrangement of several buildings around a courtyard shapes the impression made by the farm ensemble. In Kurtzenhouse, a distinctive façade design thus stands alongside a farmstead with an Alsatian-style house. The farm complex’s date, from the late 18th century, adds another example from this period to the municipality’s architectural history.

Le vallon du Lohgraben: route and landscape

The Le vallon du Lohgraben circular trail is 8 km long and takes about two hours. It passes through the municipalities of Gries, Kurtzenhouse and Weitbruch. The distance and duration answer different planning questions: the distance indicates the route’s length, while the approximate time provides a guide to how long it takes. If you are planning to walk the trail, check the latest route details with the relevant authority, as they may be revised.

As it passes through Kurtzenhouse, the trail goes by traditional half-timbered houses. The route’s landscape also includes river terraces cut by small valleys. It follows the winding Lohgraben, alongside a mosaic of trees and green hedgerows. The route description thus brings together village architecture and landscape: the half-timbered houses are a specific point of interest on the section through Kurtzenhouse, while the terraces, valleys and hedgerows shape the broader scenery.

When planning your trip, you can choose between different focuses: Saint Michel, the town hall and the farm complex offer insights into architectural and religious history, while Le vallon du Lohgraben combines a passage through the village with a longer route across several municipalities. Both offer a different way to experience Kurtzenhouse, without conflating the architectural details with the circular trail’s landscape perspective.

Discover more destinations: Soultz-Les-Bains, Hochfelden, Weiterswiller, Stotzheim, Bust, Bellefosse, Kertzfeld, Artolsheim

For the broader travel overview: Bas-Rhin.