Rohan, Castles and Abbeys

40 KM   I   635 HÖHENMETER  I  4-5 STD. DAUER  I  SCHWER

SHORT DESCRIPTION:

Explore the foothills of the Vosges in and around Saverne. This hilly loop takes you past two abbeys and comes close to five castles, offering a stunning view over the Alsatian Rhine Valley from Burg Haut-Barr (Haut-Barr Castle). You can complete the two loops (30 km and 10 km) that make up this cycle route separately if you prefer.

STARTING POINT AND HOW TO GET THERE

  • Starting/finishing point: Saverne
  • Public transport: Train and bus station in Saverne
  • Parking: Car park in Rohan (406 free parking spaces)

THINGS TO SEE :

  • Schloss Rohan (Rohan Castle) and its museums, Klosterkirche (Abbey), Rosengarten (Rose Garden), Jachthafen (Marina) in Saverne
  • Abtei St. Martin (St. Martin’s Abbey) and Museum für volkstümliche Kunst und Jüdische Tradition (Museum of Traditional Art and Jewish Tradition)
  • Schloss Birkenwald (Birkenwald Castle)
  • Schneckenzüchter (Snail Farmers) in Birkenwald

 

 

PLACES TO STOP

  • Lots of restaurants and tearooms in Saverne Restaurant Le Gourmet in Marmoutier (one of many options) Restaurant Au Tilleul in Salenthal  Restaurant Au Chasseur in Birkenwald Restaurant des Vosges in Birkenwald  Restaurant du Château du Haut-Barr in Saverne Restaurant Kleiber in Saint-Jean-Saverne

 

After Rohan Château in Saverne, this undulating circuit takes you on a discovery tour of 2 abbeys and skirts 5 castles, including Haut-Barr which affords you a superb panorama over the plain of Alsace. It can be broken down into 2 loops of 10 and 30 km, the longer one being more athletic but also using more cycle tracks and roads with less traffic.

The majestic Rohan Castle, with its impressive neo-classical façade, was the home of the Prince-Bishops who had their main headquarters in Saverne, which was the capital of the bishopric for several centuries. In the heart of the town, the Rohan Castle built in 1790 replaces the previous square castle. The Bishop, Louis René de Rohan Guéméné, had the palace built by a young architect, Salins de Monfort. Construction began in 1779 and was interrupted by the Revolution and the selling of national property voted in 1789. In the early 19th century, the castle, in ruins, risked being demolished. Between 1852 and 1857, the Emperor Napoléon III had it restored to house a Home for widows of highly placed Civilian and Military Officials who gave their lives for France. After the war of 1870, the castle became a military barrack. Purchased by the town of Saverne 1952, it is now houses a museum, a primary school, a Theater and the Youth Hostel.

 

 

CONTACT

Alsace Destination Tourisme Bureau de Strasbourg

Hôtel du Département 1 place du Quartier Blanc  67100 STRASBOURG

info (at) tourisme67.com , Tel : +33 (0)3 88 15 45 88
www.alsaceavelo.fr, www.radfahrenimelsass.de, www.cyclinginalsace.com

Copyright photo on this page: SAVERNE-CHATEAU DES ROHAN © Office du Tourisme Saverne

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