At the heart of Kirrwiller, two churches face each other—a striking image of the village’s identity as a “village-église” (church village). They are considered a unique testament to religious history and a living symbol of this identity. The church architecture and local history give the village a distinct cultural focus; the Royal Palace and a variety of walking routes add further points of interest.
Churches and local history
The Catholic parish church of Saint-Martin is a Late Gothic building. Its features include a tower portal at the front, a panelled nave and a polygonal choir with a rib vault. The nave is the main longitudinal space of a church; the choir is the liturgically prominent area. These terms help distinguish the different parts of the building, rather than classifying Saint-Martin solely by its Late Gothic style.
The former parish church of Saint-Remi in Kirrwiller is documented as early as 742 and became a Protestant church after the Reformation. It was rebuilt in 1780; its tower was subsequently reconstructed and was not completed until 1790. The dates mark different milestones: the earliest record, the church’s reconstruction and the later completion of the tower work.
The dates for Saint-Martin should also be distinguished: the foundation stone of the Catholic parish church was laid in 1911; 1912 is noted at the portal as a possible year of completion. Kirrwiller also lies on an old road that connected Brumath and Bouxwiller, and traces of this earlier past have been preserved to this day. Alongside the churches’ history, the historical connection between the two towns and its surviving traces are also worth noting.
Cabaret and dining at the Royal Palace
The Royal Palace in Kirrwiller presents new cabaret shows every year. It describes itself as one of the two largest music halls in France. This self-description is part of the venue’s profile; when planning your visit, it is worth checking the current show programme, as the shows are renewed every year.
The Royal Palace has two restaurants. They serve lunch and dinner accompanied by live music from musicians and singers. If you would like to include a meal there in your plans, check the current restaurant offering before your visit, as it may change. The show programme and restaurant offering are two distinct aspects of the venue that you can consider separately when planning your visit.
Walks and views
The “Balade sonore – Découverte de Kirrwiller” (Sound walk – Discover Kirrwiller) takes you through the village streets and introduces its history. It starts at 15 Rue de Modern in Kirrwiller. The walk is very easy, 2.1 kilometres long and takes about one hour and 30 minutes. The approximate duration and distance give you a timeframe for planning; check the latest information on the starting point and route before setting out, as route details may change.
The “Circuit des deux collines” (Two Hills Circuit) passes the hills of Heckberg and Hungerberg and offers panoramic views of the surrounding area. The two routes have different highlights: the Balade sonore focuses on Kirrwiller’s history and gives an approximate duration, while the Circuit features the two hills and the views. You can choose between them according to your interests without treating the two descriptions as interchangeable.
A culturally focused stay can therefore take in several perspectives: the churches facing each other and their architectural history, the old connection between Brumath and Bouxwiller, the cabaret and the two routes with their different focuses. The specific historical milestones range from the first record of Saint-Remi in 742 to the 20th-century construction details for Saint-Martin. The audio walk, architecture and stage programme each offer a different way to experience Kirrwiller.
Discover more destinations: Molsheim, Weiterswiller, Holtzheim, Wimmenau, Bouxwiller, Soultz-Les-Bains, Salmbach, Scharrachbergheim-Irmstett
Back to the regional travel overview: Bas-Rhin.
