Boofzheim combines the long history of the Eglise paroissiale Saint-Etienne, fortification remains along the Sentier des casemates and Patrick Singer’s private collection of Alsatian folk art. There are also named routes of varying lengths. During your stay, you can choose between church and architectural history, casemates, collection culture and longer routes.
The Church of Saint-Etienne: history in several construction phases
The Eglise paroissiale Saint-Etienne in Boofzheim has been documented since 1211. It was rebuilt in 1522; the tower porch and the junction with the nave survive from this construction phase. Another milestone is 1935, when the church was partially listed as a Monument historique. Together, these dates illustrate different aspects of its history: its early documentation, a specific rebuilding phase with surviving structural elements, and its later heritage status.
Anyone interested in the development of historic buildings will find several clearly distinct dates here rather than just a single one. The surviving elements from the 1522 construction phase also give the rebuilding a concrete architectural connection.
The Sentier des casemates
The Sentier des casemates is 2.5 kilometres long and can be explored independently all year round. Along the route are a casemate that served as a command post, infantry and engineer casemates, an anti-aircraft casemate and a machine-gun nest. The structures listed represent different types of fortification, so the route cannot be reduced to a single casemate.
The type of visit is also relevant when planning: the Sentier can be explored independently. This distinguishes it from tours of the Maison d’Art Populaire Alsacien de Patrick Singer, which are offered by appointment. Its 2.5-kilometre length also gives you a clear idea of the route’s scale, without equating it with the longer routes.
Alsatian folk art in a farm building
The Maison d’Art Populaire Alsacien de Patrick Singer offers a different perspective. The private collection is housed in an imposing farm building in Boofzheim and comprises more than 17,000 items. The collection itself is the focus here, offering a distinct complement to the town’s buildings and fortification remains.
Tours are available by appointment for both groups and individuals. If you would like to include the Maison in your stay, arrange a tour time accordingly. The appointment requirement applies to both types of visit. This lets you plan the visit as a separate activity alongside exploring the Sentier des casemates independently.
Routes of varying lengths
BL463 – Plans d’eau et matelote is a 34-kilometre cycling route. It starts in Boofzheim on the EuroVelo 15 cycle route and follows paved roads as well as cycle paths or cycle lanes. The route’s starting point, cycling nature, length and surface types are therefore all specified. Compared with the 2.5-kilometre Sentier des casemates, it is considerably longer.
Another route, BL976 – Jungle Rhénane, is 42.6 kilometres long. Its stated length is therefore 8.6 kilometres greater than that of BL463. Together with the Sentier des casemates, these routes offer a simple comparison of distances: 2.5 kilometres, 34 kilometres and 42.6 kilometres. When choosing between the paths and routes, you can start with the stated distance; for BL463, the specific starting point and surface types are also provided.
Discover more destinations: Harskirchen, Fouchy, Hochfelden, Kirchheim, Reipertswiller, Weinbourg, Niederbronn-Les-Bains, Windstein.
Return to the regional travel overview: Bas-Rhin.
