Schœnau reveals different sides of the Rhine landscape: walking paths lead into the floodplains, along the river and through the historic village. There is also a species-rich Rhine forest, the medieval motte and seasonal swimming at Lac de Schoenau. When choosing the town for a stay, you can first decide whether nature, history or water should take centre stage.
The Rhine, its former channels and riparian forest
The canalised Rhine runs along the entire municipal area of Schœnau. Barges and cruise ships travel along the river. The former channels, meanwhile, tell the story of an older landscape: they are former branches of the Rhine from before it was canalised and serve as natural refuges. The contrast between the canalised river and these former channels shapes the natural landscape.
The Rhine forest of Schœnau is protected as part of the Natura 2000 network. More than 500 different plant species grow there. For travellers interested in floodplain landscapes, the town offers not only views of the Rhine but also a direct connection to its natural diversity. One of the routes described passes through the riparian forest and links this landscape with traces of the history of water management.
Comparing walks and routes
The routes differ in both length and focus. The 1.2 km Circuit de la petite digue is an easy walk into the Rhine floodplains. The 1 km Circuit du Rhin leads to the Rhine, where boats pass by. This makes it the shortest of the routes described here; the two walks also highlight different aspects of the floodplains and river traffic.
The peaceful Circuit Ulrich Von Schoenau is 2 km long and follows the river, passing through gardens and the historic village and by the motte. The 3.2 km Circuit Rheinmark follows the Tulla embankment. Its notable points include Rheinmark boundary stones, a former channel of the Rhine and views of the Vosges. The well-preserved embankment offers a higher-level route and access to the former channels.
At 5.4 km, the Circuit la jungle rhénane is the longest of the routes listed. It passes through riparian forest and by 19th-century hydraulic structures. If you mainly want to experience the waterside landscape, you could consider the shorter route to the Rhine or the walk into the floodplains; if you are interested in riparian forest and historic water engineering, these are the themes of the longer route.
The motte of Schœnau
The motte is one of the last surviving remnants of Schœnau’s medieval castle. It is about 50 metres in diameter and about 10 metres high. It is among the best-preserved motte-and-bailey castles in Alsace. It lies directly on the Circuit Ulrich Von Schoenau, so you can include this historic site in a walk that also follows the river and passes through gardens and the historic village.
Lac de Schoenau and when to visit
Lac de Schoenau lies in a quiet, wooded setting opposite a broad expanse of open fields. For the 2026 season, supervised swimming and on-site food and drink are available. Swimming is seasonal, so check the latest opening details before your visit. If you want to include a day of swimming in your stay, the time of year is an important factor in planning.
Which of these factors matters most for your stay depends on what you want to experience in Schœnau.
Discover more destinations: Schleithal, Lichtenberg, Artolsheim, Wangenbourg-Engenthal, Weyersheim, Wissembourg, Strasbourg, Reichstett.
Back to the regional travel overview: Bas-Rhin.
