Saarlouis: Fortress Town, Museums and Saar Old Arm

Saarlouis combines the history of a fortress town with museums, guided city tours and regional cultural venues. Preserved fortifications, the Saar Old Arm and the present-day uses of the Großer Markt reveal different sides of the destination. If you are looking for a hotel for your stay, you can base your choice on the themes that interest you most: city history, exhibitions, a visit to the market or regional history.

Fortress History and Cityscape

Saarlouis was built as a fortress town in 1680 by Louis XIV. Some of the former fortifications have been preserved in a recreational area. Vauban Island offers views of the Saar Old Arm and the fortress complex; the city gardens and Saar Old Arm form the green entrance to Saarlouis. Together, these places show how fortress remains and the surrounding landscape feature in the cityscape today.

The Großer Markt has a different, present-day function: it is now used as a parking lot and event venue. This means that historical traces and the everyday use of a central square exist side by side. Open guided city tours offer another way to get to know Saarlouis. Check the current schedule before your trip.

Exhibitions and Culture

In its new exhibition spaces, the Ludwig Gallery Saarlouis continues the exhibition program and concept of the former museum. Following extensive renovation and refurbishment, the Theater am Ring reopened in 2016. Both venues are part of Saarlouis’s cultural history; for a stay focused on art and culture, they complement the themes of fortress architecture and city history.

The weekly market also shapes the visitor experience of the city. It takes place on Tuesdays and Fridays from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the pedestrian zone in front of the Kommandantur. The selection includes products from regional producers, among other things. As published market times can change, it is advisable to check the current schedule shortly before your visit.

Wallerfangen, Schmelz and Ensdorf

In the Wallerfangen district of St. Barbara, the Romans created the Emilianus adit in the first centuries AD. The copper mine has survived almost unchanged to this day. A section of around 20 meters of the underground mine is accessible; its distinctive features include a unique inscription. Wallerfangen Blue, which was traded as far away as Italy, was extracted from the rock in the adit.

The Wallerfangen Historical Museum features a permanent exhibition on the history of the municipality, from settlement in the Stone Age to the present day. It is housed in the listed Adolphshöhe complex. Haus Saargau, a restored Lorraine farmhouse acquired by the Saarlouis district, is located in Gisingen.

In Schmelz, the Bettinger Mill includes an exhibition on the history of the Mennonites in the Schmelz area. The Saarpolygon, a walkable, 30-meter-high steel structure, stands on the plateau of the spoil tip in Ensdorf.

Planning and Getting Around

The Saarlouis Tourist Information Office can help you plan day trips and book guided city tours. Bus lines 401, 402, 403, 413, 415, 437 and 438 run from Saarlouis Central Station to the Landratsamt stop. As routes and stop assignments can change, check the current timetable before setting out.

There is also a regional connection for planning active days: the Tourism Unit of the Saarlouis district is responsible for tourism infrastructure, including premium hiking trails and cycling routes. This makes it easier to weigh up which themes will shape your stay, from the fortress and exhibitions to regional history and the routes mentioned above.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more places: Dillingen/Saar, Lebach, Nalbach, Saarlouis, Schwalbach, Überherrn, Wadgassen, Wallerfangen, Saarwellingen, Rehlingen-Siersburg, Schmelz.

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