The munster valley

There are more than 350 km of walking paths with magnificent views on the Alsace Plain, the Black Forest, the Alps or the famous Blue Line of the Vosges. Beautiful hikes and walks on the crests or around the lakes to discover an exceptional wildlife from gentian to chamois. Also have a relaxing break at one of our hostelries.

Come and taste some Munster cheese. It is a soft paste cheese with a soft crust. Its origins come from the 7th century when the monks of the monastery invented it.

Back then it was a way of conserving milk. This strong flavoured cheese is still produced in the original way in the Valley of Munster and has the famous label (AOC) since 1969.

The best time to eat Munster cheese is from May to October.

To liven up your stay, we offer you a tour of the town by foot, starting from the Office of Tourism of the Munster Valley that has includes the regional natural park of the Ballons de Vosges. This historical  tour include 17 stops that are:

• The office of Tourism
• The Fountain (Place de la Tuilerie)
• The Albert Schweitzer and the Fecht Parks
• Griffons, Sphinx and Neptune
• Saint Leger catholic church
• The old moat
• Müsikhisla (Music house)
• The loewel Hospital
• The 'Place du 11 Novembre' square
• The primary school
• André Hartmann park
• The 'Place de la gare' square
• The Laub
• The Gravestone
• The 'Place du Marché' square
• The Town Hall
• The Abbey Ruins

Munster use to be a fortified town until the beginning of the 19th century. The town has underwent massive destruction during WWI, which made disappeared most of the historical heritage though some remains subsist:

• Grand rue (main street)
• Luttenbach street
• Elm Quarter

Main public buildings have resisted too:

• The town hall built in 1550
• The 'Laude', a market place built in 1503 on the 'Place du Marché'
• The Schools, funded by the businessmen Hartmann

The urban landscape also has some of the vestiges of the past with the presence of Saint Gregoire Benedictine Abbey with:

• The Abbey Palace (end of the 18th century) facing 'Place du marché'
• A apart of the monastery and the building called 'Prelat' (end of 17th century)

In the 30s and 50s the city centre expanded as peripheral quarters were built with elegant villas (in Graben, Dubahc and Moenberg Quarters).

Finally, at the entrance of the city is located the Albert Hartmann Villa, now converted into a public park, presenting sculptures from the 19th century:

• Griffons Bridge
• Sphinges Bridge
• Neptune Statue