Discover Thanvillé: Château, Church and Garden

Thanvillé offers a variety of ways to explore its history and landscape. Highlights include the Château de Thanvillé, the Church of Saint-Jacques, the Jardin Lilaveronica and two walking routes with different layouts.

Château de Thanvillé: Fortress and Manor House

The Château de Thanvillé was built on the site of an 11th-century fortress. The fortress guarded the entrance to the Vallée de Villé and collected tolls on the old Route du Sel. The exterior of the present-day building retains the appearance of a 17th-century manor house. To the east lies a large square courtyard, surrounded on three sides by agricultural outbuildings. This layout divides the property into the manor house, the courtyard in front and the farm buildings; the courtyard’s square shape gives this area its own distinct spatial character.

On a guided tour with an AOC guide, you can discover more than ten centuries of history. Tours are subject to the current visitor calendar; check the scheduled dates before your trip.

Church of Saint-Jacques: Organ and Artwork

The present-day church was built in 1784 on the site of a chapel that had previously been extended. It houses a painted wooden panel depicting the Crucifixion. The panel comes from the chapel at the Château de Thanvillé; it may date from the 15th century, which would make it older than the present church building. This date is possible, but not certain.

The church’s organ dates from 1833 and was made by Joseph Stiehr. Its instrumental part has been listed as a Monument historique since 1980. Restorations or alterations followed in 1898 by Rinckenbach, in 1951 by Roethinger and in 1957 by Schwenkedel. The organ’s creation, later interventions and the listing of its instrumental part can thus be distinguished chronologically.

Jardin Lilaveronica and Exhibition

The Jardin Lilaveronica lies behind the Château de Thanvillé and offers landscaped views, a wide variety of plants and a water feature. In the garden, the exhibition “Biodiversité à ciel ouvert” takes visitors on a tour through wildlife, plant life and landscapes, using 160 large-format photographs. The garden focuses on designed landscapes, while the exhibition offers a photographic perspective on nature and landscapes. Check dates and opening conditions before your trip.

Sentier Wurzel and Circuit du patrimoine

The routes differ in format: the Sentier Wurzel leads from Colline Saint-Gilles to the Château de Thanvillé and is known for its impressive panoramic views. By contrast, the Circuit du patrimoine de Thanvillé is a signposted circular route for an independent walk lasting approximately 1.5 to 2 hours. You can use the estimated duration of this circular walk to help plan your time; local signposting may change. If you want to head for a particular destination and enjoy panoramic views, the Sentier Wurzel leads to the Château; the Circuit, on the other hand, is defined by its circular route, independent walk and approximate duration.

Discover more destinations: Westhoffen, Mundolsheim, Mittelhausen, Roppenheim, Reipertswiller, Benfeld, Marckolsheim, Dorlisheim.

Back to the regional travel overview: Bas-Rhin.