Natzwiller

Formerly called Saint-Ludelin, Natzwiller stretches along a valley at the border of the former Ban-de-la-Roche county, on a pilgrimage route to Sainte-Odile. Its economic history was long based on metallurgy and then textiles, before tourism became a major activity with various accommodations (camping, lodges, hotel-restaurant, farm-inn) and local businesses like Dula and CQFD. The commune retains a linguistic peculiarity: Alsatian is still widely spoken here, despite being in a French-speaking region, due to its historical belonging to the Bishop of Strasbourg. This also explains why the parish remains predominantly Catholic, unlike the neighboring Ban-de-la-Roche.

The European Center of Deported Resistance Fighters, inaugurated on the 60th anniversary of the liberation of Nazi camps, is located near the Struthof camp. This museum site recounts the commitment of resistance fighters and deportees against Nazi oppression in Europe, while raising awareness about the defense of freedoms. The project also includes renovating the existing museum and developing memory trails to explore nearby historical sites.

Not to be missed is the Struthof concentration camp, a symbol of the extermination ideology of the Third Reich, where nearly 44,623 detainees suffered between 1941 and 1944. Living conditions were horrific: hunger, cold, forced labor, humiliation, and medical experiments on prisoners. It is estimated that 12,000 people died there. Nearby, the national cemetery for deportees pays tribute to these victims. Finally, a panoramic botanical trail allows visitors to discover the local flora while enjoying views of the surrounding landscapes.