Half-timbered farmsteads, a Protestant church on a hill and country lanes shape Gottesheim. The village in northern Alsace combines architectural heritage and a history dating back to the 11th century with a setting of fields, meadows, orchards and a few vineyards. You can tailor your stay to different interests: the farmsteads and church offer a cultural focus, while the paths invite you to hike and discover the village.
Gottesheim and its location
Gottesheim is in northern Alsace, in the Bas-Rhin department and the canton of Saverne. The village is 10 kilometers from Saverne and its TGV station. The A4 motorway access is a ten-minute drive from Gottesheim. Check current timetables before traveling by train; if you are driving, it is worth checking road conditions. This will help you put the stated distances and travel times into context when planning your own trip.
History and architectural heritage
Gottesheim was first mentioned in 1074. In 1445, the village was destroyed by the Armagnacs. During the Thirty Years’ War, from 1618 to 1648, Gottesheim suffered severe damage; the village was depopulated and subsequently resettled by immigrants from Switzerland. In 1677, the French completely destroyed the village. At that time, Gottesheim was not yet part of France.
Among the sights are numerous farmsteads with half-timbered houses. A Protestant church stands on a hill and is surrounded by an enclosure wall. The farmsteads and the church show different aspects of the village landscape: the half-timbered farmhouses on one hand, and the elevated, walled church on the other. Those interested in the history of small Alsatian villages will find in Gottesheim both distinctive architectural styles and a local history shaped over several centuries by destruction and resettlement.
Rural surroundings and paths
Arable land and meadows are part of the rural setting, along with orchards, a few vineyards and trees. This landscape offers a different focus from the village’s architectural heritage: you can concentrate on the farmsteads and church as built attractions or explore the surroundings on foot. Numerous country lanes invite you to hike in Gottesheim and make it possible to discover the village. This lets you combine exercise with a look around the village, without having to make any one route the defining feature of your entire stay.
Festivals and cycling route
The village festival takes place in late May and includes a public hike. It also features a departmental competition for draft and riding horses, held every three to four years. The music festival follows a different schedule: it takes place on June 21 every other year, alternating with Printzheim. If you plan to time your trip around one of these festivals, check the specific event date in advance.
Cyclists also have a connection to the village: the cycling route from Dossenheim-sur-Zinsel to Bouxwiller passes through Gottesheim. The route goes, among other places, via Eckartswiller, Saverne, Gerieth, Dettwiller, Printzheim and Riedheim. This gives you two different options for planning: country lanes for hiking and a cycling route connecting several villages.
Discover more destinations: Haguenau, Erstein, Mittelbergheim, Bilwisheim, Rhinau, Windstein, Matzenheim, Plaine.
Go to the main travel overview: Bas-Rhin.
