Visiting Friesenheim: the Grand Ried and the banks of the Rhine

Friesenheim is a peaceful village in the Bas-Rhin with just over 600 inhabitants, located in the Ried, the wetland plain bordering the Rhine, some thirty kilometres south of Strasbourg, between Benfeld and Rhinau. There are no grand monuments or crowds here: just an authentic farming village with its fields, tobacco-drying sheds and riverine forests, and an ideal base for discovering the Grand Ried, the banks of the Rhine and, beyond them, neighbouring Baden.

What to see in Friesenheim

The church of Saint-Nicolas

In the heart of the village, on the Rue Principale, the parish church of Saint-Nicolas holds religious furnishings recorded in France’s heritage inventory, notably statues and crucifixes. A simple, tranquil visit that offers an insight into the sacred art of the Alsatian countryside.

Neunkirch and the church of Notre-Dame-des-Sept-Douleurs

Away from the centre, surrounded by forest and a handful of houses, the church of Notre-Dame-des-Sept-Douleurs (Our Lady of Seven Sorrows) stands on the site of Neunkirch, a former place of pilgrimage well known in the area. It makes a pleasant, peaceful destination for a walk on the edge of the forest.

The Ried landscape

Friesenheim has kept a strong farming identity. Walking around the village, you’ll notice the wooden tobacco-drying sheds, reminders of a crop that was long important in the Ried, as well as the meadows and riverine forests shaped by the Rhine and its side channels.

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Nature and activities around Friesenheim

The Île de Rhinau nature reserve

A few kilometres away, the Île de Rhinau nature reserve, managed by the Conservatoire d’espaces naturels d’Alsace, protects one of the last riverine forests of the Rhine, regularly flooded and home to remarkable wildlife and plants. Keep to the paths and follow the reserve’s regulations.

Walking and cycling in the Grand Ried

The flat terrain of the Ried is perfect for family outings on foot or by bike. In Rhinau, the sentier des sources (springs trail), easy and suitable for children, winds between fields, forest, springs and streams. Cyclists can follow the Rhinau–Kappel–Weisweil cross-border circuit (about 43 km, very easy), which crosses the Rhine into Germany.

The Rhinau ferry and neighbouring Baden

The free Rhinau ferry links the Alsatian bank with Kappel in Germany. It opens the door to Baden and to Europa-Park in Rust, which can be reached in no time from Friesenheim. The ferry may be suspended for maintenance or during floods: check that it is running before you set off.

Exploring the surrounding area

• Benfeld, a small neighbouring town and former cantonal seat, for a stroll around its centre.
• Ebersmunster and its Baroque abbey church, about twenty minutes away by car.
• Sélestat, with its Humanist Library and historic centre, about half an hour away.
• Strasbourg, some thirty kilometres away, for its cathedral and Petite France.
• Haut-Kœnigsbourg castle and the Alsace Wine Route, as far as Ribeauvillé, less than an hour’s drive away.

Practical tips

• When to come? From spring to autumn for walks in the Ried and along the Rhine; in December to combine a quiet stay with the Christmas markets in Strasbourg or Sélestat.
• Where to stay: Friesenheim and the neighbouring villages mainly offer gîtes and B&Bs; there is a wider choice in Benfeld, Rhinau or Sélestat.
• Information: the Grand Ried tourist office in Rhinau can advise on trails, the ferry and local 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.

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