Wittisheim combines the landscapes of the Grand Ried with a rich local history. At Saint-Blaise Church, building phases from the 19th and 20th centuries stand alongside memorials from different periods. There is also a botanical trail, activities at Lake Koba and insights into local oil production. If you are looking for a holiday apartment in Wittisheim, you can choose what to explore based on your interests: landscapes, history, water activities and regional events each offer a different focus.
Landscapes between the Ill and the Rhine–Rhône Canal
Wittisheim lies in the Alsatian plain, in the heart of the Grand Ried between the Ill and the Rhine–Rhône Canal. The town is also situated on a broad loess ridge that separates the Ill and Rhine floodplains. Here, the plain meets a distinctive ridge in the landscape. The Grand Ried is a wetland of around 200 km², bordered by the Ill and the Rhine. Waterways regularly overflow their banks and flood the area in autumn and during the snowmelt. This seasonal pattern is part of the landscape of the region’s natural environment.
Saint-Blaise and the history of the town
Saint-Blaise Church reflects several building phases: it was rebuilt between 1832 and 1835 and extended between 1961 and 1963 with the addition of a transept. Its surviving crossing tower now serves as a baptistery and bell tower. A war memorial made of pink sandstone in 1963 is set into the church wall. It is dedicated to the victims of the wars of 1914–1918 and 1939–1945.
The baptistery also connects Wittisheim with an older local history: it is the last surviving remnant of Sainte-Catherine Church in the vanished village of Niffratzheim. Another reminder of the past can be found at the site of the former railway station. There stands a replica of locomotive AL 8415, recalling the history of the Riedbahnel railway line. The church, baptistery and locomotive each point to different historical connections; they do not all refer to the same period.
Trail, lake and water activities
The Botanical Nature Trail is a six-kilometre circular route. It starts beside Lake Koba and introduces plant species typical of the Ried. Check seasonal access before planning your walk.
Swimming and picnics are possible on the sandy beach at Lake Koba, although seasonal use may vary. The site also has a children’s playground, a volleyball court and a fishing pond; facilities may change. Visitors aged seven and over can also try wakeboarding, water skiing or wakeskating at Koba Wake Park. The options range from spending time by the lake to activities on the water, but the facilities at the lake and the wake park are not the same.
Festivals and insights into oil production
The Plum Tart Festival brings together exhibitions by local craftspeople and artists, music, dancing, children’s games and displays of historic vehicles. The programme may vary from one edition to the next. Alongside the food, it features crafts, entertainment and historic vehicles.
At an event at Wittisheim’s traditional walnut oil mill, visitors can see how walnuts are pressed in the traditional way to produce oil, followed by a tasting. Booking is required for this event. The traditional Oléa oil mill in Wittisheim offers a shop, advice, workshops and tours. From December to March, it is open on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 8:30 to 11:30, and for pressing by appointment. From April to November, sales and tours are available from 14:30 to 16:30. If you are planning a tour, check the hours that apply to your date.
Discover more destinations: Stutzheim-Offenheim, Langensoultzbach, Bischwiller, Bilwisheim, Reipertswiller, Bischheim, Marckolsheim, Duttlenheim.
Return to the regional travel overview: Bas-Rhin.
