Discover Breisach am Rhein: History, Münsterberg and Rhine Views

Breisach am Rhein offers specific starting points for a stay: the history of the Blue House, art at St. Stephen’s Minster, views from Münsterberg and long-distance cycling routes that pass through the town. If you are looking for a hotel, these topics can provide a starting point for planning your stay. The places and routes below will help you get a sense of the focus of your visit.

Town history and Jewish life

The Radbrunnen stands in the centre of the Upper Town. The Blue House is the oldest house in Breisach to have survived both 1793 and 1945 intact. In 1829, the Jewish community bought the building to use as a school. Today, it houses permanent exhibitions titled “Jewish Life in Breisach 1931,” “After the Shoah” and “Gurs 1940.” Individual exhibitions may be updated over time.

The audiovisual tour “Jewish Life in Breisach” is available in German, English and French; check before your trip whether it is currently offered. There is also a digital town tour with the same title, which you can access on your smartphone. You should also check its digital availability and access options in advance.

Münsterberg: views and a walk

Münsterberg is an outlying spur of the nearby Kaiserstuhl volcano. From there, the view stretches across the Rhine and Breisach’s town centre. On clear days, you can see as far as the Vosges and the Black Forest from Münsterplatz. Clear visibility is needed for long-distance views from Münsterplatz to the Vosges and the Black Forest; from Münsterberg, the view stretches across the Rhine and the town centre.

The Münsterberg Tour is listed as easy, with a distance of 3.4 kilometres, a duration of 1 hour 30 minutes and 37 metres of elevation gain. Route details may be revised; check them before setting out. A smartphone tour of Münsterberg starts at Breisach-Touristik. Its digital availability may change, so it is worth checking shortly before your visit.

Rheintor and St. Stephen’s Minster

The French military engineer Tarade had Rheintor built in 1678. It was intended to protect the Rhine bridge and also serve as a triumphal arch for Louis XIV. Its history of construction thus combines a specific defensive function with a ceremonial purpose. St. Stephen’s Minster houses important works of art, including the high altar by Master H. L. (Hans Loi), created between 1523 and 1526.

Historic buildings and squares in Breisach have signs in three languages. This provides additional guidance during a walk around town, at places where history and architecture are visible in the public realm. The artworks in the minster also add an artistic perspective to the view of Breisach’s historic buildings during a walk around town.

Routes and getting to Breisach

The Münsterberg Tour provides a measured option for a walking route. For longer cycling journeys, EuroVelo 15, the Baden Wine Cycle Route, the Upper Rhine Roman Cycle Route and the Green Road pass through Breisach. For a walk, you can plan for 3.4 kilometres, 1 hour 30 minutes and 37 metres of elevation gain; for longer cycling journeys, EuroVelo 15, the Baden Wine Cycle Route, the Upper Rhine Roman Cycle Route and the Green Road pass through Breisach. Route alignments and signage may be updated; check the details if your plans depend on them.

Breisach can generally be reached by S-Bahn from Freiburg Central Station; the service is operated by DB Regio. From Colmar station, the EuroRegioBus runs via Neuf-Brisach to Breisach. Timetables and service patterns for these connections may change. So check the relevant timetable before setting off.

Enjoying the Münsterberg

Geldermann produces sparkling wines using the traditional bottle-fermentation method beneath Münsterberg, in medieval vaulted cellars. Check in advance whether cellar visits and tastings are available. Four establishments on Münsterberg serve coffee, drinks, light meals, as well as homemade pastries and cakes; what businesses offer may change. Münsterberg thus combines views and walking routes with places to stop for refreshments and an insight into sparkling wine production.

Discover more destinations: Titisee-Neustadt, Eisenbach, Vogtsburg im Kaiserstuhl, Müllheim, Breitnau, Friedenweiler, Merzhausen, Oberglottertal.

Go to the regional travel overview: Breisgau-Hochschwarzwald.