Ammerzwiller: Remembrance Trail and Harvest Festivals

If you are planning a stay in Ammerzwiller, you can focus on two different interests: the traces of the First World War or local festival traditions. This brings historical themes together with festivities whose programs are specific to each edition. When planning your trip, it helps to decide first whether you want to focus mainly on architectural history, the remembrance trail or a festival.

Church, chapel and the effects of war

The Church of Saint-Etienne was almost completely destroyed by bombing during the First World War and was rebuilt between 1926 and 1927 using surviving parts of the earlier building. Its central stained-glass window depicts the Assumption of Mary. The building thus brings together two different perspectives: the history of destruction and reconstruction, and a religious image.

The “Chapelle et monument aux morts” (Chapel and War Memorial) also bears the marks of the war years. Built in 1924, it replaced a chapel built in 1836 that had been destroyed in the 1914 bombings. The monument commemorates the victims of the wars of 1914–1918 and 1939–1945. The building also served as a processional reposoir—a station along a procession route—until the 1970s. Comparing the histories of the two buildings reveals their chronology: the chapel with its monument was built in 1924, while Saint-Etienne was rebuilt between 1926 and 1927. Together, the two buildings tell the story of commemorating war victims and rebuilding after destruction.

Remembrance trail and landscape

The Ammertzwiller remembrance trail follows a route commemorating the 1914–1918 war. Along the way, you can see numerous bunkers, traces of mine warfare and the 9 m-deep “entonnoir” pond. It was formed by an underground explosion detonated by the German army beneath the French positions. The route thus reveals several tangible traces: bunkers, the effects of mine warfare, and a landscape feature with a precisely documented origin. Ammertzwiller is also characterized by fields of miscanthus. This landscape adds another dimension to the village beyond its wartime history.

Harvest festival and local traditions

The Fête de la Moisson is a traditional annual harvest festival that has been organized by numerous volunteers for more than 40 years. The celebration includes a blessing of the harvest and traditional ears of Gleckhampfala grain, made by volunteers. The blessing and the handmade ears represent two different aspects of the festival: tradition and community effort.

At the 2022 edition of the Fête de la Moisson, homemade pastries, Linzer tarts, “bredalas” and farmhouse bread were on offer; the bread was baked in a wood-fired oven in the village. The food on offer may vary from one edition to another, so check the program for your chosen date.

The ESELFASCHT is another traditional annual festival, organized by the Ammertzwiller firefighters’ association. At the 2024 edition, Steph'Band accompanied an afternoon of dancing; there was also a children’s program. These activities relate to 2024 and may not be part of future editions. If you are traveling at a later date, check the dates, venue and program for the relevant edition.

Discover more destinations: Lapoutroie, Dessenheim, Wittelsheim, Carspach, Grentzingen, Illzach, Heidwiller, Aubure.

For the broader travel overview: Haut-Rhin.