Barr combines architectural history with a distinctive connection to wine: the first wine fair in Alsace was held here in 1906, and trails explore the history of vines and wine. The town also has a museum in a large residence, a Protestant church with Romanesque tower levels, and routes for walking and cycling. If you are looking for a hotel in Barr, first consider whether culture, wine or countryside will be the main focus of your stay.
Art and history at the Folie Marco
The Folie Marco is a museum in a large residence that is half grand and half bourgeois in style, in Barr. It displays Alsatian bourgeois furniture from the 17th to the 19th century, from the Renaissance to the Restoration. Faience, porcelain and pewter complement the collection, as do local memorabilia. The combination of furniture and other collection items offers a glimpse of Alsatian domestic life across several centuries.
Church and town hall: Barr’s architectural history
The Protestant Church of Saint Martin preserves the four lower levels of its tower, which dates from a Romanesque church built in 1180. It also has a restored Stiehr organ, which is listed as a historic monument. The tower and organ represent different aspects of the heritage: the tower’s Romanesque origins and a restored, listed instrument.
The Hôtel de Ville was built by the city of Strasbourg in 1640 on the site of the medieval Château de Kleppenburg. Behind the town hall, on Rue des Bouchers, a section of wall dating from the 14th century remains as the last vestige of the feudal castle. The dates indicate different building phases: the surviving wall is older than the town hall, which was built in 1640.
Wine connections and tastings
The year 1906 is a historic milestone: that was when the first wine fair in Alsace was held in Barr. Kirchberg is also associated with local wine. It gave its name to a Grand Cru; this wine is produced exclusively on Kirchberg.
Caveau Lorentz Klipfel offers groups tours of its wine cellars, with oak barrels, and its museum. Commented wine tastings are available for groups. Individuals can discover the estate’s wines by reservation. Check reservation requirements and availability before your trip to ensure this activity fits your plans.
On foot or by bike
The walking options differ in their themes and destinations. The Three Castles hike in Barr leads to medieval ruins. The wine trail explores the history of vines and wine. The Sentier des Amandiers is a tree-lined footpath back towards the town centre. Each option caters to different interests: ruins, wine-growing history or a route towards the centre.
The “Boucle autour des parcs et jardins” cycling route loops around Barr, Obernai and Rosheim, passing through vineyards, forest and plain. Along the way, it connects three towns and several types of landscape. Check the latest route conditions before setting off.
Views over the vineyard and plain
The Jardin de la Folie Marco offers views of the Kirchberg vineyard, the Alsatian plain and the Black Forest. If you are planning to visit this viewpoint, check the latest access information beforehand.
Discover more destinations: Gundershoffen, Gertwiller, Weinbourg, Wangenbourg-Engenthal, Schillersdorf, Schwobsheim, Marlenheim, Monswiller.
For the regional travel overview: Bas-Rhin.
