Soultz-sous-Forêts is a commune in Bas-Rhin, in the Grand Est region, 16 km northeast of Hagueneau.
Since 1982, its territory is vast of 15 km ² when was absorbed the village of Hohwiller, to the east of the borough of Soultz.
The locality belongs to the cultural and historical region of Alsace and, moreover, is located in the center of the natural region of the Outer Forest, a wooded border area including part of the German Palatinate, beyond the forest of Hagueneau.
Already occupied in Antiquity, the locality developed in the Middle Ages, the center of the Fleckenstein lordship. Fortified town in the 14th century, named Soultz-sous-Forêts from 1750, living from trade, crafts, its forest and its wines, the town benefited in the 20th century from the exploitation of oil wells and the Pechelbronn refinery, a few kilometers to the west. This activity has disappeared, replaced at Soultz-sous-Forêts by the production of electricity via geothermal boreholes.
With nearly 3,200 inhabitants, rich in a preserved heritage and a wide range of leisure activities, Soultz-sous-Forêts is a pleasant stopover during a stay in Alsace.
The two poles of the town have quality sites and heritage elements.
In the village of Hohwiller, in the center of the town hall square, a stylish building dating from 1907, stands an astonishing model of a wooden pump well. In general, the traditional Alsatian habitat of the center has been well preserved, with superb half-timbered houses mostly dating from the 18th century.
We notice in passing the sign representing a pretzel adorning the facade of the restaurant "Au Bœuf". The visit of the village ends with the Saint-Jean-Baptiste church, protected as historical monuments: if the nave and bell tower are from the 18th century, the choir is Gothic and inside, wall frescoes from 1491 (restored in 1926) represent a mystical mill whose millstone is operated by angels and the apostles.
In the village of Soultz-sous-Forêts, the former stately castle of Fleckenstein (13th century) has disappeared. On the other hand, Gallo-Roman remains remain to the west, but the archaeological site is not open to the public.
In terms of religious architecture, however, is accessible the Church of Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul, erected at the very beginning of the 20th century in the courtyard of the former castle Geiger. Neo-Romanesque style, it houses pink sandstone fonts (18th century) and on the top of the nave, several medallions are visible, representing saints and figures from the Old Testament.
Built in the 15th century, the Protestant church for its part was dedicated to Reformed worship after the conversion of the barons of Fleckenstein, lords of the place, in 1543. Several funerary slabs also cover the graves of former lords (the oldest dates from 1302). The nave was altered in the 18th century but the bell tower is original, and served as the city's belfry in the 15th century.
The locality finally has a synagogue. The current neo-Romanesque building was built in 1897, in the center of a district which appears to be closed by half-timbered houses long occupied by Jewish families. Turrets equipped with bulbs were produced in 2015.
In terms of civil architecture, the Muntz house, built at the beginning of the 19th century in a neoclassical style for a family of notables on plans, is worth seeing. by the German architect Friedrich Weinbrenner, the Protestant presbytery, a beautiful traditional construction from 1726 adorned with the coat of arms of the barons of Fleckenstein, and finally the old castle Geiger, which became the Catholic presbytery in 1902. It dates from 1750, commissioned by François de Geiger, royal bailiff of the seigneury. After the Revolution, different owners succeeded one another. Two wings were destroyed during WWII. At the rear, a tree-lined path frames the garden.
Guided tours of the city are offered in season, allowing visitors to discover certain buildings that are usually closed, such as the synagogue. Information on +33 3 88 80 89 70 or +33 3 88 94 10 11.
In terms of cultural leisure activities, the Relais de la Saline with an inter-municipal vocation includes a theater with 225 seats, a foyer dedicated to exhibitions and a modular room. The program gives pride of place to live shows (theater, music, dance, etc.). Cinema screenings are also offered. Information on +33 3 88 80 47 25.
For "nature" sports and leisure, it is possible to join the friendly cyclotourist outings (contact on +33 6 07 90 13 71) or to reserve a tennis court from from the local club (join +33 6 59 88 07 21).
For hikers, thematic routes dedicated to heritage have been developed, and loops can include the discovery of the nearby forest. The municipal territory also belongs to the cross-border biosphere reserve of the Vosges du Nord. Maps and information on +33 3 88 80 89 70 or +33 3 88 94 10 11.
As for the Regional Natural Park of the Northern Vosges, to which Soultz-sous-Forêts is integrated, it regularly offers hikes, exhibitions, workshops and activities. Information on +33 3 88 01 49 59.
