Neuf-Brisach can be explored through its fortifications and octagonal town plan. Its founding history, a museum and a church offer different ways to discover the town; two themed trails add specific timings and distances. This lets you decide in advance whether your main interest is architectural history, art or nature.
Vauban’s design and the UNESCO heritage site
Neuf-Brisach was founded in 1698 in the Alsatian plain after Vieux-Brisach, on the other side of the Rhine, was lost. Vauban presented Louis XIV with three designs; the king chose the octagonal plan, which has survived to this day. This means the town can be viewed not only through individual buildings, but also through its overall planned layout. Neuf-Brisach is considered the only example of Vauban’s third system of fortifications and his most fully developed urban planning project.
Since 2008, the fortifications have been part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site “Fortifications of Vauban.” They are partly classified as a Monument historique and partly registered as a Monument historique, and are therefore partly protected as historic monuments. UNESCO World Heritage status and French historic-monument protection refer to two different aspects of the fortifications’ significance.
Museum, church and art in the casemate
The Musée Vauban was founded in 1957 and is located on the ground floor of the Porte de Belfort. Its two rooms cover the history of Neuf-Brisach, Vauban’s work and the town’s UNESCO status. Local history, fortress construction and the significance of the World Heritage site come together in one museum.
The parish church of Saint-Louis adds its own architectural history to this picture. It was built from 1732 to 1736 to plans by Chevalier and consecrated on 12 October 1777. Bombing on 5 and 6 February 1945 completely destroyed the church; after 30 years of construction, it was restored to its original state.
The MAUSA Vauban houses works by internationally renowned artists across approximately 1,200 m² in a former casemate within the fortifications. The works were created directly on the casemate walls. Check which exhibitions are currently on view before your visit.
Two trails with different focuses
The family-friendly Circuit découverte takes about one hour and is 2.5 km long. The route leads from the tourist office through the Vauban Canal, from the town centre to the second moat. More than 40 information panels explain the fortifications. Route details may change; check the latest information before your visit.
The also family-friendly Sentier pédagogique takes about 1.5 hours and is 1.7 km long. It follows the ramparts; eleven stations focus on orchids, butterflies, rock ferns and medicinal plants. Compared with the Circuit découverte, this trail is shorter but takes longer. So the choice depends not only on distance, but also on how much time you plan to spend and which subject interests you.
The Boucle pour tous has been awarded the Tourisme & Handicap label. Check the latest certification information before your visit.
Getting there and practical information
A regular bus service connects Colmar, Neuf-Brisach and Breisach am Rhein. The Neuf-Brisach stop is at the Porte de Bâle, 350 m from the tourist office. As route and stop information may change, it is advisable to check the timetable before travelling.
For planning your time, the two trails offer different reference points: the Circuit découverte combines a shorter duration with a longer distance, while the Sentier pédagogique covers fewer kilometres but takes more time. Both are family-friendly and have different themes. Other options include the parish church’s architectural history, the Musée Vauban’s subjects and the artworks at MAUSA Vauban. You can plan your stay around the aspects of Neuf-Brisach that interest you most.
Discover more destinations: Wihr-Au-Val, Horbourg-Wihr, Guebwiller, Heimsbrunn, Levoncourt, Pulversheim, Hunawihr, Thannenkirch
See the regional travel overview: Haut-Rhin.
