Wickerschwihr combines trails along the Lissgraben and through the surrounding countryside with a local history that spans from the Hallstatt period to the rebuilding of the church. The Sentier de la Grenouille offers a specific starting point for a walk; bunkers and half-timbered farmhouses add examples of different architectural forms. This lets you decide whether to focus your stay more on nature trails or on local history.
Trails and Nature Watching
A network of nature trails and cycle paths leads through the village centre, the surrounding countryside and to neighbouring communities. The network therefore extends beyond a single walk and includes both walking paths and cycling routes.
The Sentier de la Grenouille runs along the Lissgraben in Wickerschwihr. This easy, family-friendly walking trail is about 2.3 kilometres long; walking it takes approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes. The combination of distance and walking time helps you gauge how long the walk will take. The starting point is on the RD45-Route de Riedwihr, opposite the fishing pond.
Around Wickerschwihr, the wetlands and meadows of the Ried Brun invite you to observe insects, reeds and wild orchids. On the Sentier de la Grenouille, you can use the length and walking time as a guide; in the Ried Brun, the focus is on observing nature in wetlands and meadows. In addition, an area along the Canal de Colmar and the Lissgraben in Wickerschwihr is designated as a Natura 2000 site.
Local History and Buildings
The site of Wickerschwihr was already inhabited during the Hallstatt period, between 750 and 450 BC. Wickerschwihr was first mentioned in 728; until 1837, it belonged to the territory of Holtzwihr. The early settlement and its later territorial affiliation mark different periods in the village’s history.
The present-day Église Saint-Jacques-le-Majeur was built between 1861 and 1862 and became a parish church in 1865. After suffering damage in the Second World War, it was partially rebuilt in 1956. Its construction, elevation to parish church status and rebuilding thus mark different stages in its history.
Several bunkers from the Second World War remain along the road between Wickerschwihr and Riedwihr. They bear witness to the strategic importance of the Colmar Pocket. Wickerschwihr also has some attractive half-timbered farmhouses.
Agriculture and Events
Traditional crops of the area, including potatoes and cabbage, are still grown around Wickerschwihr. This agricultural activity adds another aspect of the village’s character to the themes of nature and architectural history.
A municipal presentation dated 21 April 2023 lists a traditional flea market and a Christmas concert at the Église Saint-Jacques-le-Majeur as recurring events. If you would like to plan your trip around one of these events, check the latest dates.
Discover more destinations: Uffholtz, Thannenkirch, Hirtzbach, Leimbach, Walbach, Flaxlanden, Rimbachzell, Issenheim.
Go to the regional travel guide: Haut-Rhin.
