The Charcoal Burners' Site

In the heart of the Haguenau Exceptional Forest®, the charcoal burners' activity has marked local history since the 11th century.

These craftsmen produced charcoal from beech wood, a vital material at the time. Today, one of the two ovens used for this production remains visible, half hidden by vegetation.

Its operation was ingenious: the cavity was filled with wood, with air circulating through chimneys. Once the door was closed to ensure airtightness, the oven was lit using a metal rod ignited by a cloth.

According to Charles Schlosser's research, the forest still holds traces of these activities, such as charcoal pits—flat, circular sites where wood piles were set up, sometimes leaving charcoal remains beneath.