Industrial Canal

This industrial canal, dating back to the Middle Ages, connects Vieux-Thann to Wittelsheim. Although it was developed in 1854 under the direction of the syndicate of mill owners, it has retained its historic role as a driving force for the local economy. In the 19th century, it powered about ten mills and provided the hydraulic energy necessary for the operation of local crafts and industry. Flour mills, oil mills, paper mills, as well as the textile and mechanical sectors of Cernay and Uffholtz, two kilometers away, directly benefited from it. Today, this canal serves as the main route for the tourist circuit "In the footsteps of Cernay's industrial past - along the industrial canal." This route immerses you in another era and reveals Cernay in an unfamiliar light, highlighting the industrial activities that marked its history: mechanical engineering, cloth bleaching, papermaking, spinning, weaving, and even the chemical industry.