Frequently Asked Questions
Have you explored our site without finding the information you need?
Don't worry! We've gathered the most frequently asked questions about the Bruche Valley, along with their answers, in our FAQ.
And if you still need clarification, do not hesitate to write to us via our contact formA trusted local expert will respond to you as soon as possible!
Not to be missed
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Activities and leisure
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Accommodation and gastronomy
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Practical information
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Unmissable places in the Bruche Valley
Can you visit the Bruche Valley all year round?
Each season offers you a different but equally pleasant atmosphere!
- Favorite for spring which allows you to see nature reborn. It is the best time to admire the diversity of landscapes and natural colors. The ideal season for on hiking trails and bike rides. We also offer you some e-bike rental directly to the office.
- In summer, perfect for enjoying the trails of hiking in the forest, cycle paths, outdoor activities and local events.
- In autumn, the landscapes are adorned with magnificent colors, which makes it an exceptional moment for photography and walks.
- In Winter, always enjoy our beautiful on hiking trails. Some parts of the valley, such as the field of fire, offer snow activities: cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, sledding.
Also discover all year round the family activities.
How to visit the former Struthof concentration camp in Natzwiller?
To visit the former Natzweiler-Struthof concentration camp, you can visit the site without prior reservation (if you are an individual visitor or a family). For groups, we advise you to make your reservation at least 2 months in advance.
The site includes the European Center for Deported Resistance Fighters (CERD), a 2 m² space dedicated to the history of Nazism and the Resistance, as well as the remains of the camp, including four barracks, the prison, the crematorium, and the gas chamber located 000 km below. Free guided tours are offered in French every day. The tour lasts approximately one hour.
Accessing the site without a car is possible. It takes approximately 1 hours and 30 km from Rothau train station to the historic site.
Le Deportees' Path corresponds to the walking route taken by some of the deportees, from their arrival at Rothau station, towards the Natzweiler-Struthof concentration camp.
Pets are not allowed on the site. Learn about the security systems. childcare available in the Bruche Valley on our page dedicated to your 4-legged pets.
For more information, you can contact the site at +33 (0)3 88 47 44 67 or visit their official website: www.struthof.fr
Practical information: The Struthof site is closed in January and every Monday for the rest of the year. Partial accessibility for people with reduced mobility.
To make your visit even more meaningful, we recommend that you start by discovering the Memorial, which will provide you with the necessary historical context. We offer you a Duo ticket, reserved for adults, which allows you to benefit from an advantageous rate of €15 for access to the two memorial sites.
How to visit the Alsace Moselle Memorial in Schirmeck?
Le Alsace-Moselle Memorial in Schirmeck is an essential place to understand the complex history of our region, marked by the conflicts between France and Germany from 1870 to the present day. This immersive museum traces the destiny of the Alsatians and Mosellans, particularly during the Second World War, and also addresses European construction.
Guided "Discovery" tours are offered Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays). These tours offer an in-depth immersion into regional history. For families, special tours entitled " Jean or Hans, what a story! » are organized during school holidays, allowing children to discover history through the eyes of a young Alsatian. It is recommended to book your tickets in advance, especially for guided tours, via the official online ticket office: Book your tickets.
For more information call +33 (0)3 88 47 45 50 or visit their official website: www.memorial-alsace-moselle.com
Practical information: the Alsace-Moselle Memorial site is closed in January.
I am passionate about history, are there things to discover in the Bruche Valley?
- Alsace-Moselle Memorial : More than a museum, better than a history book! A scenic journey to the heart of a region, from 1870 to the present day, which saw the birth and growth of Europe.
- Struthof site : The former Struthof camp and the European Centre for Deported Resistance Fighters are the only testimonies of the Third Reich's concentration camp universe in France.
- Oberlin Museum : Long before the public school, in a remote corner of the Alsatian Vosges, the idea of a school for all, from early childhood, was born in 1769... An idea that has not aged...
- Fort of Mutzig : It is to Emperor Wilhelm II that we owe this unique work, a precursor of modern military architecture and unparalleled technological know-how.
What are the market days?
We have 7 villages that offer you products from the valley all year round on the markets. Find the complete list right here here or in our brochure section on our website.
Can we visit Schirmeck Castle?
Although the castle is not open to the public, it can be accessed from the market square to admire a panoramic view of Schirmeck. If you would like to take a tour, we also offer a one-hour circuit.
Can we climb to the top of the Champ du Feu tower?
The Firefield Tower is currently closed to the public. No official reopening date has been announced.. Discover the hikes to do at Champ du Feu on our site dedicated.
Is it possible to visit the Donon?
At the crossroads of four departments, the Donon is one of those legendary sites, high telluric places and pagan cults which nourish the imagination. An exceptional site that you leave feeling particularly peaceful....
We recommend going there at sunrise or sunset to enjoy the exceptional light!
Activities and leisure in the Bruche Valley
What are the Pleasure Trails?
Hike with those who live in the valley, know it, and speak it best. That's the plan! Enjoy guided hiking trips this summer through the most captivating corners of the valley and volunteers passionate about history, heritage, and nature. It's free and no registration is required! Discover the program of Pleasure Trails.
Are there any nice hikes to do in the Bruche Valley?
Discover hiking in all its forms in the Bruche Valley! 450 km of marked trails, numerous trails on foot, on snowshoes, trail running, mountain biking, mountain biking, horse riding, stroller/wheelchair… in a loop, between forests and high-altitude stubble fields! There is something for every taste.
- Explore rando-bruche.fr, a practical, easy-to-use website, with hiking and GPX trail sheets to consult and download freely, all year round
- So much to see... cultural and thematic trails and emblematic sites to get rich by walking, or
- Take part in Pleasure Trails®, summer program (from June to early September) of guided hikes with locals
Explore exclusively at the tourist office and our online store our paper hiking maps, to explore the Bruche valley.
Where can I find ideas for cycling routes in the Bruche Valley?
Are you a cycling enthusiast? The Bruche Valley is made for you!
- Explore the Bruche Bike as well as the many others bike routes who invite you to discover our territory!
- Take advantage of the offers from electric bike rental from the tourist office in Schirmeck
- Explore a multitude oftourist offers including rental of electrically assisted bicycles - available in “gift voucher” format » also !
Discover exclusively at the tourist office and on our online store our tailor-made cycling map to explore the Bruche Valley.
Where to rent an electric bike in the Bruche Valley?
The Schirmeck tourist office offers you 6 electric VTCs. Only for adults, from 1m60.
Reservations by telephone with the tourist office at 03 88 47 18 51.
Discover numerous cycle routes on our dedicated website Bruche Bike.
The company Green Trace located in Mutzig also offers electric bike rental and accessories to share this moment with your children (baby carrier, trailer, etc.) Contact them at 03 88 38 30 69.
What to do with the family in the Bruche Valley?
Walks where you don't drag your feet, and where you have fun! Share moments of complicity... the promise of an unforgettable vacation! No more boredom, make way for challenges:
- “Rose & Louis” treasure hunt at La Broque or to Waldersbach
- Playful walks at Donon or Cool investigation in Saâles
- Orientation course at the Field of Fire
- New arrivals : path from Sõtré to Steige, fun walk in Plaine, fun walk in Lutzelhouse, Enchanted Forest Trail in Fouday, ...
- Wilderness adventures
- “Special stroller” walks
- Walk with the llamas and donkeys
- Visit of the Heydé mini-farm
- The Sentiers plaisir®, from June to the beginning of September, more than a hundred summer outings accompanied by local residents around 5 themes, including several “family” outings
How to keep teenagers busy in the Bruche Valley?
- To experience life in style, head full speed ahead to the Verti'cable of the Alsace Adventure Park
- Pump track
- Fun walks in Alsace at Donon in Grandfontaine. Booklet available free of charge at the Tourist Office.
- Cool investigation in Saâles. Booklet available free of charge at the Tourist Office.
- Introductory course to the practice of orientation at Champ du Feu. Booklet available free of charge at the Tourist Office.
- Jean's passport at the Alsace Moselle Memorial in Schirmeck
- Lemonade tasting (and craft beers for adults!) in Senones in June, July and August
- Renting a tag-along bike with Trace Verte in Mutzig
- Hourly tennis court rental at the Bruche Valley Tennis Club in Schirmeck
- Discovery fishing license -12 years old on sale at the Bruche Valley tourist office
- Solve the escape game outdoor mystery at the Chartreuse in Molsheim
What are the events of the coming weeks?
Can we get hiking maps and documentation on site?
Yes, it is possible to obtain hiking maps and documentation directly on site in the Bruche Valley. The Bruche Valley Tourist Office, located in Schirmeck (114 Grand'Rue, 67130 Schirmeck), offers a shop area where you will find hiking maps, books and many gift ideas.
In addition, the site Hiking Bruche offers a selection of hiking routes with detailed downloadable sheets, including information on distances, elevation changes and difficulty levels.
What should I do with my dog?
The Bruche Valley is the perfect place for a hairy holiday !
Check out our dedicated page on which we share our good tips with you, everything there is to see or do with your dog.
Accommodation and catering in the Bruche Valley
Can you eat marcaire in the Bruche Valley?
This dish is quite typical of the farmhouse inns of the Hautes Vosges. In the Bruche Valley, our farmers offer dishes made from their own produce (beef, pork, poultry, dairy products, etc.), a guarantee of a wide variety of local cuisine, friendly and gourmet. Please note that to eat locally sourced food, reservations are essential:
- Ban de la Roche farm inn in Bellefosse – Specialties: terrines, farmhouse Munster cheese, hot blueberry sundae, bacon omelet, fromage blanc, etc.
- Promont farmhouse in Ranrupt – Specialties: unique menu prepared with products from the farm: roigebradeldi, sieskaas, pie, etc.
- Charapont Farm Inn in Natzwiller – Specialties: foie gras, duck pie, homemade terrine, coq au riesling, poultry baeckeofe, etc.
- Bambois Farm Inn in Plaine – Specialties: terrine, tommiflette, yogurt, tomme, munster, queen’s bites, fromage blanc tart, etc.
- Perheux farm inn in Wildersbach – Specialty: homemade burgers.
- Ferme des Fougères in Belmont (on fixed dates at the farm) – Specialties: burgers, cheeses, yogurt, etc.
Which restaurants are open in the coming days?
Find the list of tables open on D+4 or to J + 10 in the Bruche valley.
Where to eat tarte flambée?
Flammkuchen, emblematic specialty of Alsace, can be enjoyed in many restaurants in the Bruche Valley, often cooked over a wood fire and served in a friendly atmosphere.
Check out our selection of restaurants and farmhouses to find where to enjoy an authentic tarte flambée near you or your place of stay:
A friendly and family atmosphere in this restaurant with varied and generous menus!
Restaurant where you will find Alsatian specialties and tartes flambées. Sauerkraut, Baeckeoffe à la carte. Tartes flambées on weekends in
Pies flambées every evening (midday for groups by reservation). Grills and cold dishes for lunch and dinner
Hel'Eau La Bruche Member – Fill your water bottle for free – from 9 a.m. to 19 p.m. with no obligation to attend and depending on
Pikeperch on sauerkraut with Riesling sauce, Old Strasbourg beef fillet, Totsche, Baeckeoffe, Sauerkraut. Flammkuchen and pizzas for lunch and
What are the motorhome areas?
If you are traveling by campervan, two areas are accessible in the Bruche valley:
- Service area in Rothau (10 rue Pierre Marchal, 67570 Rothau)
- Area in Lutzelhouse (Séquoia Street, 67130 Lutzelhouse)
What accommodation is available for touring in the Bruche Valley on the GR®5 / stages 08 and 09 of the Vosges Mountains Crossing?
Visit our dedicated page, for hikers looking for an authentic and friendly break, the time of a warm night in the Bruche valley.
In lodges, rooms for rent, hotels, campsites or guest houses nestled in the heart of nature, enjoy the comfort of these accommodations for a comforting stopover on your journey.
Practical information, coming to the Bruche Valley
Where can I fill my water bottle in the Bruche Valley on the GR®5 / stages 08 and 09 of the Vosges Massif Crossing?
The Bruche Valley has a geolocated network of water points called “Hel'eau la Bruche”, designed to help hikers locate places to fill their water bottles. Check out this map to easily find available water points and plan your water refill stops according to your route.
Where to park in Schirmeck?
In Schirmeck, several free parking options are available, with some restrictions to be aware of:
- Place de la Liberté (Market Square)
This large free car park is accessible via the Grand'Rue, opposite number 135 (Tabac-Presse). It is open year-round, but parking is prohibited on Wednesday mornings from mid-October to mid-April due to the weekly market.
- Place de la Gare
Located near the city center, this free parking lot offers tolerated overnight parking and is generally quiet. - Bergopré car park
The car park is located approximately 350 metres from the town centre, is accessible every day and is convenient for parking, especially if you want to enjoy the park or access nearby health services.
Is it possible to have a Wi-Fi connection?
The Bruche Valley Tourist Office offers free Wi-Fi access for 10 minutes without access codes, or for 3 or 7 days with access codes, upon request at our reception during our opening hours.
What are the opening hours of the Bruche Valley Tourist Office?
The Bruche Valley Tourist Office adjusts its opening hours according to the seasons. Here are the opening hours for 2025:
From 2 May to 30 September :
- Monday to Friday: 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. and 14:00 p.m. – 18:30 p.m.
- Saturday: 9 a.m. – 00:12 p.m. and 00:14 p.m. – 00 p.m.
- Sundays (July and August only) and public holidays: 9:00 a.m. – 13:00 p.m.
From October 1 to April 30 :
- Monday to Friday: 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. and 14:00 p.m. – 17:00 p.m.
- Closed Tuesday morning
How to get to the Bruche Valley?
In the Bruche Valley you can be far from everything and close to what matters most!
???? By train
The Bruche Valley is easily accessible by TER train from Strasbourg. The Strasbourg – Saint-Dié-des-Vosges TER line serves several stations in the valley, including Urmatt, Lutzelhouse, Schirmeck-La Broque, and Rothau.
Average journey time: between 45 minutes and 1 hour depending on the station. Check the timetables on www.ter.sncf.com/grand-est
(I.e. By bike
The valley is crossed by cycle routes, including the V53 cycle route. Services bike rental and charging stations for electric bikes are available on site. Consult the cycle route on www.velo-bruche.fr
🚗 By car
From Strasbourg: approximately 45 minutes via the A351 then the D1420.
From Saint-Dié-des-Vosges: approximately 35 minutes via the RN59. Check real-time traffic information on www.inforoute.alsace.eu
