The castle hill above Neubois dominates the entrance to the Villé and Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines valleys. Those interested in the village will encounter a range of themes: a castle with a protohistoric enclosure, the Église Saint Materne, a puzzle trail and a living devotion to the Virgin Mary. When planning your visit, it is worth distinguishing the cultural attractions from practical details about duration and access.
Château du Frankenbourg and early fortification remains
Château du Frankenbourg dates from the 12th century. Its ruins include walls 6 to 10 metres high, as well as an 11-metre-high keep with a visible brick vault. The protohistoric enclosure surrounds the castle on three sides and is 1.80 metres thick. The surviving walls and keep thus stand alongside evidence of a much older fortification.
The château was designated a historic monument in its entirety on 6 December 1896. The protohistoric enclosure was designated on 10 September 1990. A protohistoric wall also runs along the cone of the Schlossberg massif above Neubois. The different structures and periods are what make the site so compelling: alongside the 12th-century castle, visitors can also explore the history of earlier fortifications.
Organ and stained-glass windows in the Église Saint Materne
The Église Saint Materne offers further points of interest for culture lovers. It has the valley’s only Callinet organ and one of the few Callinet organs in Bas-Rhin. The instrument’s instrumental section was added to the register of historic monuments in 1978. The eight stained-glass windows also have their own story: they were made by the Ott workshop in Strasbourg in 1906. The organ and windows offer different points of interest: the instrument’s regional rarity on the one hand, and the work of a Strasbourg workshop from a particular year on the other.
Puzzle trail through Neubois
The Balade ludique Ă Neubois is a village walk featuring puzzles and clues to collect as you make your way through the village. It starts at the town hall, covers 2.4 kilometres and takes 2.5 hours. So when planning your time, consider more than just the distance: allow a dedicated block of time for the walk. Three versions are aimed at children aged 4 to 12 and families; the activity is also suitable for all audiences. As route details can change, check them before your trip. You should also confirm in advance that the leaflet is available.
Devotion to the Virgin Mary and apparition tradition
Devotion to the Virgin Mary in Neubois continues to draw pilgrims from nearby and further afield. The site of the apparition is in the vicinity of Neubois. In the clearing at the nearby apparition site are a chapel, a large cross and a Way of the Cross with twelve stations. About two kilometres from Neubois, a renovated woodland chapel near the “Mudergottes Brennela” spring reminds walkers and pilgrims of the local apparition tradition. Alongside the buildings and works of art, these sites give a religious and historical-tradition focus to a visit.
Views and access to the château
The trail to Château du Frankenbourg offers views of the Villé valley, the Val d’Argent, Sélestat and the Alsatian plain. There is also an important practical access restriction to bear in mind when planning a visit: under a municipal order dated 30 April 2025, access to the path leading to the entrance of Château du Frankenbourg and to the keep’s platform is prohibited to the public until further notice. Check the local regulations again before visiting.
Discover more destinations: Steige, Uhlwiller, Saulxures, Niederbronn-Les-Bains, Heidolsheim, Eichhoffen, Wolfisheim, Ergersheim
For the broader travel overview: Bas-Rhin.
