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Be careful not to mix them up: Morschwiller, in the Bas-Rhin (67), is a small village of around 600 inhabitants in the Haguenau district, not to be confused with Morschwiller-le-Bas, a suburb of Mulhouse in the Haut-Rhin. Surrounded by fields and orchards, between the Moder valley and the hills leading up to the Kochersberg, Morschwiller is a peaceful stop for discovering northern Alsace away from the crowds.
A village with over a thousand years of history
The village’s name appears in written records as early as 771, as Moraswilari, then as Moresheim (840) or Morinsheim (870), before becoming Morschweiler and finally Morschwiller. A former imperial village, Morschwiller later came under the royal bailiwick of Haguenau. The municipality, covering about 4.6 km², remains largely agricultural today.
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Morschwiller’s heritage
- The Catholic church of Saint-Étienne: built in the 19th century (around 1840 according to the Haguenau area tourist office), it marks the centre of the village.
- The Saint-Ulrich chapel: a small chapel built in 1832 on the initiative of local residents.
- Rural architecture: traditional farms and houses of northern Alsace, with their courtyards and half-timbered façades, to discover as you stroll through the streets.
Walks and nature around the village
The farm tracks linking Morschwiller to the neighbouring villages of Grassendorf, Ringeldorf, Huttendorf and Dauendorf, all less than 3 km away, make for pleasant walks or bike rides among crops and orchards. A little further north, the Haguenau Forest, one of the largest lowland forests in France, offers many waymarked trails, ideal for families and pleasant even in summer thanks to the shade of its oaks, beeches and Scots pines.
What to see near Morschwiller
- Pfaffenhoffen (Val-de-Moder), about 5 km away: the François Lotz Museum of Folk Imagery (Musée de l’Image populaire), which holds the “Musée de France” label, displays hand-painted pictures, paper cut-outs and reverse glass paintings in a Renaissance house dating from 1577; the former synagogue next door can also be visited.
- Uberach (Val-de-Moder): the Uberach craft brewery, which has been reviving the valley’s brewing tradition since 1999, offers unfiltered and unpasteurised beers, a shop and, at certain times of year, guided tours with tastings (check before you go).
- Haguenau, about twelve kilometres away: the fourth-largest town in Alsace, with its old town centre, its churches of Saint-Georges and Saint-Nicolas, and its museums.
- The Northern Vosges Regional Nature Park: less than half an hour’s drive away, with its pink sandstone castles and villages such as La Petite-Pierre.
- Strasbourg: about three quarters of an hour by car, for a day in the city.
Flavours of northern Alsace
In the Haguenau area and the Val de Moder, the cooking stays true to Alsatian traditions: tarte flambée in the evening in village restaurants, choucroute, baeckeoffe and, for dessert, seasonal fruit tarts or kougelhopf. The local beer from Uberach goes very well with these dishes. Don’t forget the Haguenau markets to stock up on farm produce.
Practical information for visiting Morschwiller
- Getting there: the D419 road runs through the village; Haguenau and Brumath are the nearest towns, with stations on the lines to Strasbourg.
- Best time to visit: spring for the orchards in blossom, autumn for the colours of the Haguenau Forest; in December, enjoy the Christmas markets in Haguenau and the surrounding area.
- How long: a short stop is enough for the village itself; allow a full day to combine Pfaffenhoffen, Uberach and Haguenau.
- Information: the Haguenau area tourist office can help with accommodation, hikes and events.
Enzo
Hi, I'm Enzo! I'm the guy who loves lacing up his hiking boots to explore the rugged trails of the Vosges. Passionate about nature and photography, I take you along through articles that capture the scent of fir forests and the charm of mountain lakes. I live for those moments when the sun rises over the Haut-Koenigsbourg or when I stumble upon an authentic inn along the way. My goal? To inspire you to get out, breathe in the fresh Alsatian air, and always have a great spot for a tarte flambée to share at the end of the day.