Le Mémorial de l’Alsace-Moselle
Between 1870 and 1945, the inhabitants of Alsace and Moselle changed nationality four times, as the border region was a centre of tension between France and Germany. Visit the Mémorial de l’Alsace-Moselle at Schirmeck to learn all about the history of the region : from life on the Maginot Line, the destruction of the Second World War, the situation of forced enrolment into the German Armed Forces up to Franco-German reconciliation and the reconstruction of Europe. The Memorial is an ideal place for a family outing : for 2 hours you are immersed in film sets, surprised by video and sound effects and shown photos and documents to understand the singular history of the people of Alsace and Moselle.
Joint-tickets are available for the Memorial and another important place of remembrance 12km away : European Centre on Resistance and Deportation and the former Struthof Camp built by the Nazis in 1941 at Natzwiller. It goes without saying that as half of all visitors to the site are schoolchildren care must be taken to prepare them for the emotion provoked by visiting such a place.
While visiting the Memorial, enjoy the magnificent views form the terrace over the town of Schirmeck and the Vosges Mountains. The area is wonderful for a 100% nature holiday at the heart of the Vosges forest, mountain villages, fountains, inns and speciality foods, fishing spots and lots of well signposted walks. Mont du Champ du Feu, the highest point of Bas-Rhin at 1,099m is a beautiful place in summer with its high pastures and peat bogs, and in winter for downhill skiing, snowboarding, cross-country skiing and tobogganing.
