Beinheim offers several distinct ways to enjoy a stay: the transition from the canalised Rhine to its natural course, trails through woodland and river landscapes, and buildings with a long history. If you’re looking for a hotel, you can start by planning your choice around the outings you have in mind: a circular walk, a ride along the Rhine, wildlife watching or traces of the village’s history. These themes can be considered separately, according to the kind of experience you’re looking for, without having to turn them into a fixed itinerary.
Rhine landscapes and the Pont du Rhin
The Pont du Rhin dates from 1895 and connects Beinheim in France with Wintersdorf in Germany. It is 600 metres long in total, with around 250 metres spanning the Rhine. These two measurements describe different parts of the structure: the entire bridge and the section over the river. At Beinheim, the canalised Rhine ends and the river resumes its natural course. This means you can understand the Rhine landscape here both through the bridge crossing and through the change in the river’s course.
Circular walk or cycling route
The Circuit Beinheim Est is a twelve-kilometre circular walk. It starts and ends at the Salle polyvalente on Rue du Foyer and is signposted with blue circular markings by the Club Vosgien. The route goes through the forest to the Hohwerd garden area, then follows the Stadenrhein back to the starting point. Its length, circular format and start and finish points are therefore clearly defined. Before setting off, it’s worth checking local information about trail conditions and access, as works or restrictions may affect the route.
The EuroVelo 15 offers a different kind of tour: it follows the flood embankment along the Rhine through the Rhine forest towards Lauterbourg. While the Circuit Beinheim Est loops back to its starting point, the defining feature of the EuroVelo 15 is its direction through the Rhine forest towards Lauterbourg. If you’re deciding between walking and cycling, you can first choose the route format that suits you rather than treating both routes as one combined programme.
Wildlife watching
There is a viewing point near the cycle path at La héronnière. Binoculars can be hired during opening hours at the town hall, so plan your hire accordingly. The beaver is also part of the natural history of the municipal area: it has been found in Beinheim again since 2017, thanks to corridors designed to preserve biodiversity and ecosystems. Its current presence may vary.
Church and village history
The Sainte-Croix parish church was first mentioned in a document in 1361. Its structural elements point to later periods: the choir may date from the 14th or 15th century, the nave is dated 1756, and the bell tower dates from the same period. The church’s early documented mention and its later-dated structural elements therefore represent different stages in its history.
The “Blue House” is one of the oldest houses in Beinheim. This small half-timbered house was typical of the homes of small farmers, who made up most of the village’s population. The municipality saved it from demolition by having it dismantled and rebuilt. This example brings architecture and social history together: its design reflects a social group whose homes once shaped the village, while the building’s rescue tells the story of its preservation.
Discover more destinations: Bourgheim, Rhinau, Hœrdt, Waltenheim-sur-Zorn, Orschwiller, Hindisheim, Vendenheim, Villé.
For the regional travel overview: Bas-Rhin.
