Staffelfelden: Nature Trail, Architecture and Local History

Staffelfelden combines a walk with local history and culture. The Sentier Nat’Thur offers a tangible nature experience; the Château, Saint-Gall parish church and Cité Rossalmend each open up different architectural and historical themes. La Margelle adds a programme of stage events to the mix.

Walk along the Sentier Nat’Thur

The Sentier Nat’Thur offers a walk of about 7 km and is equipped with six information panels. The route passes through forests, alongside meadows and near former orchards. Part of it runs alongside the Thur. This makes it possible to get a sense of the walk both from its approximate length and from the landscape described. The panels provide information on site and give you another point of reference for planning your day, alongside the natural surroundings.

The Château and Saint-Gall parish church

The Château is located in Staffelfelden at 61 rue des Mines. The fief of Staffelfelden, at the centre of which the Château stands, is documented as early as 1310. The present-day Château was rebuilt around 1762 above a 16th-century cellar, which has been at least partially preserved. The dates refer to different historical layers: 1310 is the year in which the fief is documented, while the date around 1762 refers to the construction of the present-day Château. The older cellar links the Château’s building history to an earlier period.

Saint-Gall parish church presents a different architectural picture. It consists of a single-nave body with six bays, a tower on the façade and a portal porch topped by a bell chamber. A single-nave body has one main space, divided into individual sections by the bays. Together with the tower and portal porch, these features make the church’s design easy to describe specifically, without conflating it with the Château’s building history.

Cité Rossalmend

The expansive Cité Rossalmend extends across Staffelfelden and Wittelsheim. Construction of the workers’ housing estate, commissioned by the Mines Domaniales de Potasses d’Alsace, began in 1925. The ensemble includes houses for workers, employees and engineers, as well as accommodation for single workers. These different designations show that the estate is not limited to a single type of house. Those interested in the history of workers’ housing estates will find several types of accommodation here within one connected historical theme. The fact that the Cité extends across two municipalities is also part of its context.

Cultural programme at La Margelle

La Margelle offers theatre performances, concerts and shows for young audiences. The cultural centre thus complements the local and architectural history with a programme of stage events in different formats. In May, La Margelle hosts the festival “Etsetala… Festival de Contes en Sol Mineur”, which is open to the general public. If you would like to plan your trip around this festival, check the specific event dates in advance. It is also advisable to check the current programme for other cultural events, as performances may change.

Getting there by train

Staffelfelden railway station is on the line between Strasbourg and Mulhouse and is served by SNCF TER Alsace trains. If you are planning to travel by train, check the timetable for your travel date. The line information gives you an idea of the places served and the train operator; it does not replace checking for a suitable connection. When choosing a hotel in Staffelfelden, you can first decide what brings you there: a walk, architecture and local history, or a cultural event each offers a different focus.

Discover more destinations: Wuenheim, Rimbachzell, Osenbach, Rimbach-Près-Guebwiller, Village-Neuf, Kientzheim, Gunsbach, Westhalten.

Return to the regional travel overview: Haut-Rhin.