Visiting Mulhausen: a village in the Pays de Hanau

Don’t mix them up: Mulhausen is not Mulhouse! This small village of around 440 inhabitants lies in the north of the Bas-Rhin, in the Pays de Hanau, between Ingwiller and Pfaffenhoffen. With the Rothbach stream flowing through it, it’s a place to explore at a gentle pace, with a church whose medieval choir is a protected monument and, all around, a rich heritage to discover between the Vosges foothills and the Northern Vosges.

Mulhausen in brief

• Department: Bas-Rhin (67), Saverne district, canton of Ingwiller
• Intercommunality: Hanau-La Petite Pierre community of communes
• Waterways: the Rothbach and the Weihergraben
• Location: about 5 km from Ingwiller, 8 km from Bouxwiller and 19 km from Haguenau

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Mulhausen’s heritage and history

The village’s main monument is its Protestant church. First recorded in 1371, it has been used solely for Protestant worship since the Reformation, introduced in the mid-16th century. Its 14th-century choir has been listed as a historic monument since 1935; it houses the funerary monument of the Rothenbourg (Rutenburg) family, who were once lords of the village. The nave, rebuilt in the 18th century, was destroyed in the winter of 1944–1945 and rebuilt after the war.

The Rothenbourgs also owned a castle on the banks of the Rothbach. It was destroyed in 1793, during the French Revolution, and today only its sandstone gateway remains. A short stroll through the village also reveals a few traditional rural houses typical of the Pays de Hanau.

What to see nearby

Mulhausen is a peaceful base for exploring the Pays de Hanau and the Northern Vosges:

• Bouxwiller (about 8 km): the former capital of the Counts of Hanau-Lichtenberg. Here you can visit the Musée du Pays de Hanau, devoted to folk arts and traditions, and the Judeo-Alsatian Museum, housed in the former synagogue of 1842, which traces the history and culture of the Jews of Alsace.
• The Bastberg, the hill overlooking Bouxwiller: three discovery trails (geology, nature and heritage) cross this site, known for its fossils and its nature reserve, and offer fine views over the plain.
• Pfaffenhoffen (part of Val-de-Moder): the Musée de l’Image Populaire showcases traditional Alsatian folk imagery; the synagogue, protected as a historic monument, is considered the oldest in the Bas-Rhin.
• Ingwiller (about 5 km): a small town at the gateway to the Northern Vosges, known for its synagogue crowned with an onion dome.
• Neuwiller-lès-Saverne, west of Bouxwiller: the abbey church of Saints-Pierre-et-Paul and the church of Saint-Adelphe, both listed historic monuments; the abbey church holds precious late-medieval tapestries depicting Saint Adelphus.
• The Northern Vosges Regional Nature Park: sandstone forests, fortified castles (Lichtenberg, La Petite-Pierre) and many trails waymarked by the Club Vosgien.

Local food

The Pays de Hanau has a strong culinary tradition: tarte flambée, choucroute, baeckeoffe and kougelhopf can be enjoyed in the restaurants of nearby towns such as Bouxwiller or Ingwiller. Alsace wines are the natural match for these dishes, even though the vineyards lie further south.

Tips for your visit

A car is the most practical way to explore the area; Haguenau and Saverne are the towns with the best train connections. Spring and autumn are perfect for walks on the Bastberg and in the Northern Vosges. Museums in the area often have seasonal opening hours, so check their websites before you go.

Quiet and unassuming, Mulhausen will delight lovers of rural heritage and nature, just minutes from the museums of Bouxwiller and Pfaffenhoffen and the forests of the Northern Vosges.

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.

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