Krautergersheim

Perched about twenty kilometers south of Strasbourg, on the banks of the Ehn, Krautergersheim stands as the beating heart of sauerkraut tradition in Alsace. This village of around 1,666 inhabitants, bathed in the discreet charm of the Ehn, carries traces of a rich and eventful history. Remnants of a Hallstatt occupation, relics of Roman presence, and Merovingian graves testify to a distant past, where people chose this site to settle from the dawn of historical times.

From the 14th century, several noble families marked the local history, including Frédéric de Turckheim and his wife Lili Schoenemann, who was once Goethe's fiancée. Their presence illustrates the strategic and cultural importance of the village during the medieval and modern periods. Yet, it is the cabbage that gives Krautergersheim its current fame. From the early 16th century, the prefix "kraut" added to its name highlights the antiquity of this cultivation and the making of sauerkraut, a know-how that has been passed down to this day.

Today, seven local companies continue this tradition, turning cabbage into a flagship product that represents nearly 20% of the national production. The village, dynamic and welcoming, comes alive with numerous events, including the famous sauerkraut fair held every late September. Under a large tent, in a warm and friendly atmosphere, visitors can enjoy a folk parade and taste this emblematic Alsace dish, symbolizing a living and flavorful heritage.