Illhaeusern: Fishing heritage and nature along the Ill

Illhaeusern connects its history as a fishing village with the confluence of the Ill and Fecht rivers and the natural surroundings of the Ill. The rivers are part of both the village’s origins and the history of its fishermen and boatmen. For planning your trip, three themes can be distinguished: the former use of the water, the parish church, and the natural environment along the river. Together, they offer different perspectives on Illhaeusern: local history, church architecture, and consideration for sensitive natural areas.

Fishing Village and Navigation

In the 15th century, fishermen settled at the confluence of the Ill and Fecht rivers; this settlement grew into the fishing village of Illhaeusern. Boatmen from Illhaeusern transported goods including wine and grain to Strasbourg. This brings two different aspects of the river’s history into view: the fishermen’s settlement explains the village’s origins, while the transport of goods to Strasbourg puts navigation into context. Both aspects are part of the village’s history, but they refer to different activities. Boat trips are also intended to keep the memory of fishing and navigation alive. Thus, alongside the history of the settlement, there is both the former transport of goods and the memory of the professions of fishermen and boatmen.

The Church: Local History and Design

The Église paroissiale Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul was rebuilt in 1958 after its predecessor was destroyed in the bombings of January 1945. A wrought-iron fish on the tower recalls the fishermen and boatmen who founded the village. The church also features an abstract ensemble of stained-glass windows that creates an extraordinary play of light. The fish on the tower and the stained-glass windows provide different points of emphasis: one detail connects with the founding history, while the other relates to the effect of light. The church thus combines a historical reference to the professions of the village’s founders with distinctive architectural design.

The Ill and Nature Conservation

The stretch of the Ill between Maison Rouge and Illhaeusern lies within the Natura 2000 site “Ried de Colmar à Sélestat.” Along this stretch, which is used by water-sports enthusiasts, the gravel banks and islands are potential nesting sites for the protected little ringed plover. The protected-area designation and the potential nesting sites provide different information about the river environment: one identifies the stretch, while the other concerns specific areas along its banks. During the breeding season from March to July, you should avoid sensitive nesting areas and limit noise and activities in this natural environment.

Another connection with the water is the canoe route that leads beyond Illhaeusern to the City of Sélestat’s voluntary nature reserve in the Illwald. This brings together two nature-related sites in different locations: the Natura 2000 stretch of the Ill between Maison Rouge and Illhaeusern, and the canoe route’s destination in the Illwald. When comparing them, it is helpful to make a distinction: one refers to a specific stretch of river and its protected-area designation, while the other is a route whose destination is a nature reserve. Together, these examples show how the natural features around Illhaeusern can be explored through the river landscape, sensitive nesting areas, and a canoe route.

Discover more destinations: Horbourg-Wihr, Battenheim, Soultzbach-Les-Bains, Flaxlanden, Levoncourt, Metzeral, Riquewihr and Illfurth.

For the broader travel guide: Haut-Rhin.