In Mothern, paths along the Rhine meet reminders of the village’s and river’s heritage. You can get to know the area from different perspectives: circular routes each have their own focus, buildings recall the village’s history, and some sights tell of the Rhine’s importance. When planning your trip, you can decide whether to focus mainly on the landscape, the views or the culture.
Paths between forest and Rhine
The “Hauts de Mothern” is a circular route marked by the Club Vosgien that starts at the Maison de la Wacht. It offers a 360-degree view of the Rhine; in clear weather, the view also extends to the Black Forest massif in Germany. The views are therefore a defining feature of this route, although seeing the Black Forest depends on visibility conditions.
The “Les Berges du Rhin” circular route is 8 kilometres long and marked with the Club Vosgien’s yellow ring. It starts and ends in front of the Maison de la Wacht, passes through the forest and follows the banks of the Rhine. Both the route’s length and its course are specified.
The “Promenade le long du Rhin” connects farmland, forest, former branches of the Rhine and the riverbanks. Along the way, you can observe wildlife, flora and river traffic. Unlike the routes explicitly described as circular, this walk focuses on changing landscapes and opportunities for observation.
There are several points to consider when choosing a route: “Les Berges du Rhin” is 8 kilometres long, the “Hauts de Mothern” offers a circular route with panoramic views, and the promenade connects several types of landscape, with opportunities to observe nature and river traffic. You can choose a route according to what you would most like to focus on.
The banks of the Rhine at Mothern are also part of an 18-kilometre stretch of free-flowing Rhine. It runs alongside the five French Rhine municipalities of Beinheim, Seltz, Munchhausen, Mothern and Lauterbourg. The connection with the river thus extends beyond the paths in the village and forms part of a wider landscape.
Village history, river heritage and a family walk
The Church of Notre-Dame de la Visitation was built in 1778; its bell tower dates from the 16th century. The church therefore brings together two different periods: the church building dates from the 18th century, while the tower is considerably older.
On the Place de la Wacht, the Mât des bateliers commemorates the Rhine’s important economic role for villages situated along the river. Two rare water-raising wells are also part of Mothern’s heritage. They use a lever mechanism, with water drawn up by means of a counterweight. These wells offer a specific technical detail to discover, as well as being rare.
The Musée de la Maison de la Wacht presents the permanent exhibition “Il était une fois le Rhin”. It explores ideas and imaginings associated with the Rhine, adding a cultural perspective to the concrete river themes found along the paths and at the Mât.
On the banks of the Rhine at Mothern, at river kilometre 346.480, stands a rare myriameter stone that forms part of the river’s heritage. It is a precisely identified landmark on the riverbank. Another place of remembrance, the Grotte de Lourdes, is located on the road to Neewiller: a couple from the village built it in 1901 as a place for reflection after losing two children shortly after their births.
There is also a playful way to explore the area: the “Balade ludique à Mothern” is designed for families and leads through the village streets. Solving a puzzle involves following clues and hints and collecting evidence. Alongside walks in the countryside, this activity puts Mothern’s streets and a shared puzzle centre stage.
Getting there by train
The Strasbourg–Lauterbourg TER line provides a rail connection to Mothern. Check the line’s timetable before your journey and plan your travel accordingly.
Discover more destinations: Soultz-sous-ForĂŞts, Itterswiller, Saint-Jean-Saverne, Mussig, Wingen, Odratzheim, Souffelweyersheim, Urbeis
View the wider travel guide: Bas-Rhin.
