The best city hikes and walks around Sarrebourg-Château-Salins

On the occasion of the patronage found here – the house of God is dedicated to 'Nativity of Mary' – I would like to offer the lingerer a short impulse from Saint John of Damascus (born 675/676, died before 754) for spiritual contemplation: 'The day of the birth of the Mother of God is a day of universal joy, for through the Mother of God the entire human race was renewed and the suffering of the first mother, Eve, was transformed into joy.'

The 7-meter-high monumental wooden sculpture depicts an alpaca.

The Château des Rohan, formerly called "The Little Alsatian Versailles," is located in the city center of Saverne on the Rhine-Marne Canal. This former bishop's castle, built in the 13th century and restored in the 19th century on the initiative of Napoleon III, now houses a museum, a cultural center, a youth hostel, and a school. The neoclassical façade (park side), made of pink sandstone, is 140 meters long, which is the same horizontal height as Strasbourg Cathedral. The Château des Rohan Museum presents extensive Gallo-Roman and medieval archaeological collections. It consists of three departments: Art and History, Louise Weiss, and Archaeology. The Art and History department encompasses many areas: paintings, prints, and 15th- and 16th-century polychrome wood carvings from the churches of Saverne and the region, as well as a room dedicated to the history of the castle. Louise Weiss Department To honor her Alsatian ties (her family originally came from Petite-Pierre near Saverne), journalist Louise Weiss (1893-1983) donated her collections (ethnographic objects, paintings, drawings, 19th- and 20th-century decorative arts, and personal archives) to the Saverne Museum in 1981 and 1983. Archaeological Department In the vaulted cellars of the castle, the museum houses a rich archaeological collection, including numerous Gallo-Roman funerary and votive steles. Tours of the museum and access to the castle roof are available (upon request). Admission (museum + roof access): €5 (adults) and €4 (students)

The tower is also the oldest part of the church. The Romanesque main portal stands out for its ironwork. On the outer wall, the wooden units are inscribed: "This is the wooden Dan." Inside the tower is an old crucifix from 1756. Further on, the pulpit dates from 1495, bearing the stonemason's mark of Hans Hammer, a master builder for the Bishop of Strasbourg. The statue of the Virgin Mary is made of wood from the 15th century. Turning to the organ, it is a mixture of Neo-Classical and Rococo, dating from 1784. Since the ceiling collapsed, it was restored and renewed in 1983. In a small niche, there is a statue of St. Vitus. He has a recess on his chest where the hosts are kept during Easter. Marie Antoinette, who stayed in Savern on her bridal journey to Paris, is venerated in this church.

This sculpture was made from many small pieces of wood. You can walk underneath it and look like a llama. A real eye-catcher in the square.

A large neoclassical palace from the late 18th century, especially in relation to the relatively small town. Located at the lower end of the old town, it has a large park at the rear, facing the Rhine-Marne Canal. The palace now belongs to the city and houses two museums, a primary school, a youth hostel, and several theaters and event venues. The varied history of its use is interesting; details can be found online: https://de.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rohan-Schloss

Saverne is a charming little town in Lower Alsace with a historic town center, many half-timbered houses, a huge neoclassical castle, and several waterways near the old town. It's worth a visit and not overcrowded. 👍🤩

The canal runs along the edge of the old town through Saverne. A lovely walk along the banks. From the small harbor, you have a panoramic view of the castle, the old town, and the surrounding hills of the Northern Vosges. 🤩