Andolsheim combines architectural history and rural architecture with distinctive waterways. The municipality extends east to the Kastenwald State Forest and west to the banks of the Ill. The Blind is also part of the local landscape: this groundwater-fed river rises within the municipality. These different themes can help you decide what to focus on during your stay.
Churches from different periods
The Lutheran Church of Saint-Georges has a choir tower dating from the 13th century, with an eastern window. Its nave was rebuilt around 1650. The Catholic Church of Saint-Georges was built later, between 1882 and 1883. Its furnishings include an 18th-century PietĂ and seven stained-glass windows installed around 1890. These dates reflect different phases of construction and furnishing: from the medieval choir tower and the rebuilding of the nave to work in the late 19th century. If you plan to visit the churches, check access in advance.
Half-timbered houses, farmsteads and rural history
Traditional half-timbered houses can be seen in Andolsheim; many have been restored. Several surviving pink sandstone gateways mark the entrances to enclosed farmsteads. Together, these details draw attention to different aspects of rural architecture: the houses themselves and the boundaries of the farmyards. Tobacco-drying sheds have also survived. They recall the local agricultural tobacco culture of the 19th century.
The old dovecote, known as a pigeonnier, served several purposes. The ground floor housed a bread oven and a washhouse, while the upper floor contained a servants’ room; the dovecote was above it. This layout illustrates how different uses were combined in one building. Visitors interested in architecture can explore these farmstead and building details alongside the churches’ different periods.
The Blind and the educational pond
The Blind rises within the municipality and is fed by groundwater. A former municipal gravel pit was transformed into the “Mare pédagogique” educational pond. The site supports the conservation and enhancement of animal and plant species typical of the region. Waterways and regional biodiversity are therefore both part of Andolsheim’s landscape.
The APILL association regularly organizes information and guided-visit days for groups at the pond. Confirm the current arrangements in advance. This makes it possible to plan a visit there specifically, without conflating it with the churches and rural architecture: it is a separate activity intended for groups.
FĂŞte du sirop, buses and cycle paths
Andolsheim celebrates the FĂŞte du sirop every year in early July; the exact dates may vary. If the festival is the deciding factor for your travel dates, check the schedule before planning. TRACE line A serves Andolsheim on the route between Colmar and Sundhoffen. As timetables and routes can change, check the latest information before travelling.
A 2020 cycling map lists pocket maps for six cycle routes in the Colmar area that were available in Andolsheim. Check current route information if cycling is part of your stay. The map offers a separate starting point for trip planning alongside the town and landscape themes.
Choose your travel dates based on what interests you
If architecture is your main interest, the two churches, half-timbered houses and farmsteads offer different themes for your stay. You can first decide which aspect of Andolsheim you would like to focus on during your trip.
Discover more destinations: Riquewihr, Lucelle, Biesheim, Wasserbourg, Zimmersheim, Huningue, Rouffach, Franken
Return to the main travel overview: Haut-Rhin.
