Wattwiller: Art, History and Water

Wattwiller brings together contemporary art, architectural history and local nature themes. The FEW, an art centre with a water programme, a 12th-century crypt and historic fountains each offer a different perspective. Winegrowing, recurring celebrations at two ponds and a cascading stream broaden the picture of the town. For your planning, the timing is especially important if you want to include an annual festival or seasonal celebration in your stay. This makes it possible to distinguish the themes by cultural programme, history and time of year.

Art and Cultural Programme

The FEW is an annual, two-week festival of contemporary art. It unfolds in public spaces and in the homes of Wattwiller residents, connecting public places with the local residential environment. Dates vary from year to year. If you would like to plan a stay around the FEW, check the dates for your travel year.

The art centre of the Fondation François Schneider presents two to three exhibitions each year and offers a cultural programme on the theme of water. Alongside the two-week FEW, it provides a second cultural perspective: its exhibitions and water programme have a different focus from the festival in public spaces and residents’ homes. For your planning, it therefore makes a difference whether you are arranging your visit around the specific FEW dates or are interested in the water culture programme and exhibitions.

Church, Crypt and Fountains

The Église Saint-Jean-Baptiste was listed as a Monument historique in 1930; its crypt dates from the 12th century. The building thus brings together a medieval crypt and a later heritage designation. The year 1930 refers to the designation, not the dating of the crypt.

The Fontaine Saint Népomucène stands beside the church and rectory. It is octagonal, has a rectangular basin, is made of red Vosges sandstone and has been mentioned since 1487. The Fontaine de Gohr is mentioned as having been rebuilt in 1577; it is believed to date from around 1480. The fountains thus stand out for different features: Saint Népomucène has a specific form and material, while Gohr has a recorded rebuilding and an uncertain earlier date.

Winegrowing, Celebrations and Landscape

Local culture also includes the Alsace appellation winegrowing area: it covers 16 hectares in Wattwiller, and cultivation has been documented since the 8th century. This brings together a specific area and a long history of winegrowing. This context complements the history of the church and fountains with an agricultural perspective.

Recurring celebrations take place at the two ponds in the Lehwald during the warmer months. They are scheduled for the last Sunday in April and September; specific dates may vary. The programme includes drinks, a meal of roasted carp and fishing opportunities. If you would like to plan your trip around one of these events, check the relevant date in advance.

The Siehlbaechle adds another water feature to the local landscape. It rises on the slopes of the Molkenrain and has the character of a mountain stream, with several cascades. This places a real stream alongside the art centre’s water theme: water as a cultural programme focus in one case, and as a defining feature of a watercourse in the other.

Getting to Wattwiller

For rail travel, Cernay station is relevant; it is 4 kilometres from Wattwiller and provides access to rail services. Wattwiller is also served by the Cernay–Guebwiller bus route. As routes and timetables determine the details of your journey, check the latest connections before setting out.

Discover more destinations: Kappelen, Ammerzwiller, Wittenheim, Lutterbach, Uffholtz, Wettolsheim, Oderen, Husseren-Les-Châteaux

For the wider travel overview: Haut-Rhin.