Obersteinbach
“Obersteinbach is a lovely little village situated in a wide valley stretching east to west, perfectly capturing the sun all day. Above the village to the north sit the ruins of Petit Arnsbourg, a medieval castle destroyed in the 30 yeas war, and the majestic rock Wachtfels. Here you can enjoy and discover the UNESCO biosphere reservation of Northern Vosges and the Palatine Forest.””
Alsace
Alsace, this north.eastern corner of France in the heartland of Europe has a fascinating and rich history. It changed hands between France and Germany (or the predecessors of what now is Germany) so many times over the centuries which resulted in an admirable richness showing blossoms from both cultures, and at the same time left it with deep scars from the many wars fought over it and on its territories, namely from the 30 years’ war, which rendered it part of France under Louis XIV. and most recently the Ligne Maginot built as a bulwark against Germany before the second World War. Today, fortunately, the antagonism is overcome and so Alsace can once again flourish in a unified Europe.
Alsace also has a very rich Jewish history and was once home to approximately half of France’s Jewish population. Namely under Louis XIV., many Jews settled in the newly acquired territory, being moved there from other parts of France to avoid conflicts there between Christians and Jews. In particular after the emancipation during the French Revolution, Jewish became an important part of civil society and the military.
Obersteinbach
The village, in the upper part of the Steinbach valley, is a small village with approx. 250 inhabitants. There are several restaurants, a goat farm that also has a little shop selling delicious goat cheeses and other, mostly local, produce, and a horse farm. Auberge Chez Anthon is the oldest hotel and restaurant in Obersteinbach, formerly a stop for the postal coaches. It also used to house many of the painters that formed part of the local artists’ colony.
Auberge des Amis, formerly Maison Allenbach, used to be a gas station, a dealership for agricultural machines, coal, etc., later a general store (magasin générale). Monsieur Allenbach used to be the chauffeur of the last Romanian king and then returned to picturesque Obersteinbach.
“From the Wachtfels, situated high above the village, one can enjoy a beautiful view over the village, the mountain ranges from the east, to the south above the plain of the valley, to the west with the [Zuckerhut].”
Information
A small booklet with more detailed information on activities, attractions to visit, restaurants and shopping can be found in the Auberge des Amis and you’ll find further info and brochures there for your visit.
Location & Nearby Attractions
- Musée des Châteaux Forts, Obersteinbach
- Châteaux Fleckenstein
- many ruins of castles in the near vicinity, eg Petit Arnsbourg in Obersteinbach, Château Wasigenstein, just behind it to the north-east, Château de Schoeneck, etc.
- Ligne Maginot, with elements spread around the landscape, an underground defence system with tunnels can be visited in Lembach
- Citadelle in Bitche
Restaurants
Alsace is a hotspot for foodies with fantastic restaurants that serve great local and fine cuisine and fine wines. Obersteinbach itself has a number of restaurants, from simple to upscale. There are plenty of further restaurants in the near vicinity and many hold Michelin stars and are definitely worth even a longer trip.
Groceries
Nearest (small) supermarket in Lembach (10mins), bigger ones in Wissembourg, Woerth or Reichshoffen (all 20 to 25mins), “hypermarchés” are found in Haguenau
Sight Seeing
- Musée judéo-alsacien, Bouxwiller
- Wissembourg, an important border town to Germany. It is the northern end of the Alsatian Romanic Route and has two Romanic churches, Saints Peter and Paul in Wissembourg itself and St Ulrich in Altenstadt, now part of Wissembourg
- Meisenthal, where an old glass factory was revived and traditional glass-blowing can be witnessed
- Musée Lalique at Wingen-sur-Moder, showing the impressive designs in glass by Lalique
- Saverne (Zabern), with a very beautiful and impressive classicist Châteaux (1790), residence of the bishops of Rohan (Châteaux Rohan), a listed synagogue (1900). The park of the Châteaux Rohan is cut through by the canal connecting the Rhine with the Marne through the Vosges
- Strasbourg, a European Capital, with its world famous, unfinished Munster, built 1176 to 1439 and until 1874 the tallest building in the world). Visit the beautiful old town around the Munster and the picturesque La Petite France quarter surrounded by the arms of the river Ill. Also great museums, namely the Musée d’Art Moderne and the Musée des Beaux Arts at the Palais des Rohan
- Colmar, a bit further south, also is a picturesque city and its museum houses the famous Isenheim Altar by Matthias Grünewald, as well as other great Renaissance works
- Near Colmar are also beautiful villages surrounded by vineyards – with lots to try… as well as the Haute Koenigsbourg and Mont Sainte Odile
Biking & Hiking
Plenty of wonderful trips by foot or bike can be made, everything from easy to challenging.