Sondernach

Founded in the 12th century by the Benedictines of the Saint Gregory Abbey, Sondernach is a Vosges village whose history is marked by medieval land clearings and inheritance divisions after the Revolution. Its name, derived from the German "zur sundern Ach" ("near the southern stream of the valley"), reflects its location in the great Munster valley. Destroyed in June 1915 during the Battle of Metzeral, the village rose from its ashes, notably through the reconstruction of its places of worship and its landscaped heritage.

Among the notable sites, the Catholic Church of Emm, a memorial dedicated to the soldiers of the First World War, was inaugurated in 1931 on the site of the former chapel that had disappeared. Next to it, the Protestant church, rebuilt in 1924 after the war's destruction, bears witness to the coexistence of faiths in this village. Anne-Aymone Square, developed on the remains of a former industrial villa, hosts the "Village Festival" and other events every summer.

Sondernach is also a popular destination for outdoor activities. The Schnepfenried ski resort offers slopes suitable for all levels, while numerous hiking trails allow visitors to discover the preserved landscapes of the Vosges. In winter, the "Nights of the Sledge" and freestyle days attract winter sports enthusiasts, while in summer, the village's annual festival enlivens the community with parades and fireworks.