In Saint-Amarin, the history of the valley takes centre stage at several specific locations. The Musée Serret spans the period from prehistory to local industrial, art and everyday life history. Historic buildings tell the story of their former functions and locations. There are also circular walking routes and cycling routes through the Thur Valley. This gives you the opportunity to choose different focuses for your trip: collections, architectural history or routes through the landscape.
Musée Serret: History of the Saint-Amarin Valley
The permanent exhibitions at the Musée Serret cover the history of the Saint-Amarin Valley from prehistoric times onwards. The themes also include extensive collections on the two world wars and the Alsatian Resistance. Other sections are devoted to local industrial, art and everyday life history. The scope therefore extends from early periods to various aspects of life and work in the region.
The building itself is also part of the collections’ history: they are housed in the former Alsatian mobile hospital. The content and architectural history can be explored together here, without equating the historic site with a single exhibition theme. If you are interested in the history of the valley, the museum offers a broad thematic introduction.
Historic buildings and former functions
The Tour Diffor is a medieval tower dating from the 13th century, built at the same time as the castle. The Schlessel—also known as “schlössel” or “petit château”—is a house built in 1807 by the De Grand-Champs family. It stands on the site of the former feudal castle of Saint-Amarin. The two buildings therefore represent different historical periods: the tower’s construction in the Middle Ages and the house’s construction in the 19th century.
The Maison du Bailli combines a former official function with a prominent location in the medieval urban layout. From the 13th to the 18th century, it served as the seat of the Baillis of Saint-Amarin; it also marks the site of the medieval north gate. The Maison des Monnaies, meanwhile, offers a glimpse into the history of coinage: it was established in Saint-Amarin in 1544 as the mint of Murbach Abbey. Thalers, half-thalers and quarter-thalers were minted there. You can still enter the historic building via the bakery or flower shop located there.
Vogelbach and routes through the Thur Valley
The Vogelbach takes you from the buildings out into the landscape. Its source lies at the foot of the Hundskopf at an altitude of over 1,000 metres; it then flows into the Thur. This connects the local name of the watercourse with its source and onward course.
The Ecobalade circular routes in the Saint-Amarin Valley are one option for walks. They are available as a PDF or from the tourist office. The cycling routes offer different points of interest. Le tour d’Urbès VTT FFC n°25 passes through villages and landscapes of the Thur Valley and by various places that have shaped its past. The Circuit de la Thur also passes through the valley, but takes in a different selection of landscape features: the cycling route follows the lake and the Thur, as well as passing through meadows, forests and villages.
When choosing a route, you can therefore consider whether you would rather focus on places connected with the valley’s history or take in the succession of water, meadows, forests and villages. The Ecobalade circular routes and the cycling routes are different options, each with its own focus.
Discover more destinations: Ribeauvillé, Rimbachzell, Gueberschwihr, Sigolsheim, Rombach-Le-Franc, Gunsbach, Issenheim, Ranspach
For the broader travel overview: Haut-Rhin.
