Magstatt-le-Bas: Church, Half-Timbered Houses and Hiking Trails

Magstatt-le-Bas offers specific starting points for a trip focused on village history and hiking: the Church of Saint Michael with its historic artworks, half-timbered houses and marked trails. Streams, orchards and a street lined with lime trees add to the village scenery. When choosing a destination, you can consider whether you are more interested in architectural heritage or hiking trails.

Streams, Orchards and a Lime Tree Avenue

Two streams flow through Magstatt-le-Bas: the Klingenbach runs at the foot of the church, and the Bachgraben along the lower edge of the village. Orchards lie at every exit from the village. A street lined with lime trees connects Stetten and Magstatt-le-Bas. If you want to take in the landscape as well as the buildings, the streams and gardens are specific features of the area.

The Church of Saint Michael and Its History

The Church of Saint Michael brings together several periods of history. Archaeological excavations identified six construction phases there in 1983. These include an original sanctuary dating from the 11th to 12th century, which was surrounded by a cemetery. Until the beginning of the 20th century, Saint Michael’s was an important pilgrimage site. This historical role complements the church’s architectural and artistic details.

The choir is adorned with numerous statues of the Fourteen Holy Helpers. The altarpiece of the Fourteen Holy Helpers comprises three paintings; it was probably created between 1620 and 1630 and is listed as a protected object. The large Neo-Gothic organ also has several specifically identified components: Martin Rinckenbach of Ammerschwihr made the instrument in 1890. The organ case, created by Théophile Klem of Colmar, dates from approximately the same period. The information therefore distinguishes between the precisely dated instrument and the approximately dated case.

Half-Timbered Houses and the Hug House

The village has renovated farmhouses with exposed half-timbering. Some of the oldest date from 1599 and 1602. The Hug House, built in 1607, is located on Rue de Koetzingue and formerly served as a courthouse and administrative headquarters. The farmhouses and the Hug House thus represent different aspects of the village’s history: the visible half-timbered architecture on the one hand, and the former administrative and judicial functions of a named building on the other.

Hiking Trails and an Annual Tradition

The marked Mulhouse–Leymen hiking trail passes through the center of Magstatt-le-Bas. Local circular trails start at the church and are about 10 km long. Green, yellow, red and blue circular markers identify them. If you are looking for a local loop, you will find a named starting point, an approximate distance and color symbols to guide you; the Mulhouse–Leymen trail, by contrast, passes through the village. Check the local trail markers before setting out.

Another annual event is the throwing of burning discs from the village’s hillsides. The tradition is considered very old. If you want to plan your trip around it, check the event date when making your plans.

Plan Your Trip and Accommodation

Sierentz SNCF train station is about 5 km from Magstatt-le-Bas. Take this approximate distance into account when planning your journey to the village. The different highlights may help you choose a hotel: Saint Michael’s, its artworks and the historic houses represent the cultural heritage, while the marked trails offer a specific reason to include hiking in your travel plans. This makes it possible to choose Magstatt-le-Bas based on the themes that matter to you during your stay.

Discover more destinations: Leimbach, Oberhergheim, Husseren-Les-Châteaux, Eguisheim, Goldbach-Altenbach, Kruth, Soultzbach-Les-Bains, Galfingue.

See the regional travel guide: Haut-Rhin.