Mutzig

Nestled at the entrance of a valley crossed by the Bruche River, Mutzig stretches between the Alsatian vineyards and the first hills of the Vosges, west of Strasbourg. Although set back from the wine route, this small town has a prestigious past up to the Revolution and retains many traces of its eventful history. Its Rohan Castle, built in the 18th century, stands on the site of a former 12th-century medieval fortress of the "Wasserburg" type, surrounded by wide moats. Successive residence of four cardinals from the Rohan family, this castle marked the strategic entrance to the valley. A few steps away, the 1746 town hall, in classical style, surprises with its bulbous tower topped by a clock with jacquemarts. A grimacing automaton, housed in a niche of the belfry, animates every hour by opening its mouth and moving its ears. The 1787 synagogue, the oldest in Alsace, unfortunately remains closed to the public. Among the remains of the medieval fortifications, the Lower Gate, or Untertor, from the 14th century, still testifies to the city's strategic importance. In the 19th century, Mutzig turned to a new military era with the construction of the Kaiser Wilhelm II fort (1893-1916) and the establishment of two barracks. Local industry then developed, notably with the Couleaux arms factory and the Wagner brewery, now disappeared. To explore this discreet heritage, marked trails and hikes allow discovery of chapels, natural landscapes, and the imposing architecture of the fort. The town is also known for its events, such as the sans-culottes parade on July 13, its annual flea market, beer festival, and Christmas market.