The best traffic-free bike rides around Wittersdorf

Altkirch Altkirch is the historic capital of the Sundgau and lies on a striking rocky spur above the valley of the Ill. The town's origins date back to the Middle Ages. The Counts of Ferrette built Altkirch into a fortified town; from 1215 onwards, it was protected by town walls and towers. The characteristic layout, narrow streets, and remnants of the fortifications have been preserved from this medieval town plan to this day. Particularly worth seeing is the Vieille Porte, a former town gate from around 1245. For centuries, Altkirch was an important administrative and commercial center of the Sundgau. After the destructions of the Thirty Years' War, numerous buildings were newly erected. The representative town hall dates from the 18th century, built in 1778 according to plans by the Swabian architect Jean Nissler. In the 19th century, the town continued to develop: alongside its traditional importance as a market and trading place, industrial enterprises emerged, including the well-known Gilardoni brickworks. The 20th century also left its mark. After the First World War, Altkirch became part of the re-Frenchified Alsace. The memory of this period is evident, among other things, at the Vieille Porte, where a Borne Vauthier commemorates the former front line of 1918. The original Altkirch war memorial from 1927 was destroyed during the German occupation in the Second World War; preserved parts were later integrated into a new memorial. Today, Altkirch, with around 6,000 inhabitants, is an important center of the Sundgau. The historic upper town with its old houses, remnants of fortifications, the town hall, and the Sundgau Museum continues to shape the townscape. Source: Ville d’Altkirch – History of the town

At the gate, a so-called Borne Vauthier can be seen in the middle. These memorial stones mark the course of the Western Front in World War I and, in particular, the position that German troops had reached on July 18, 1918 – the furthest extent of their advance at that time. The stones are named after the French sculptor and former soldier Paul Moreau-Vauthier. A total of 118 such Bornes were created between 1921 and 1927: 96 in France and 22 in Belgium. Originally, significantly more locations were planned. The stones were erected along a front line from the Belgian coast to the Franco-Swiss border. The monoliths, about one meter high, are mostly made of pink granite. On their top, there is a soldier's helmet on a laurel wreath. The sides depict typical soldier's equipment, including a gas mask, a canteen, and hand grenades. Many stones bear the inscription “Ici fut repoussé l’envahisseur 1918” – “Here the invader was repulsed in 1918”. The Bornes Vauthier are therefore not only monuments but also historical landmarks: they make the former front line visible in the terrain and commemorate the battles of 1918. However, it is important to note that they are not located exactly on the former front line everywhere, as some stones were moved for practical reasons, for example, to roads or intersections.

Altkirch is definitely worth a visit. The small town in Sundgau boasts a diverse architectural heritage that reflects its medieval and religious history. The Priory of Saint-Morand, the church Notre-Dame, the old city walls, and various medieval ruins bear witness to this richness.

The French and European National Cycleway is a great cycleway winding along side of the Rhine Rhone Canal with very little climbing, for those who do not like to climb. However those who are climbing shy, must be aware of the wind in this area. A lot of the locks still have the former lock man’s house which adds a bit of charm to every lock. One is never alone on this route as there is a constant passing of bicycles, both leisure and racing bikes.

Restaurant in Dannemarie on EV6.

The Port fluvial de Dannemarie is no ordinary marina – it’s an unexpected oasis along the canal, where boats bob gently and herons keep watch. For cyclists, it feels like a little refuge: a place to take a break from the rhythm of your pedals and take on the rhythm of the water. Here you can refill your water bottle, stretch your legs on a bench in the shade or a little further away at the restaurant, or just watch the sun play on the surface of the canal.

The restaurant Aux 100 Pâtés in Dannemarie is a pasta bar located along the Eurovelo 6 cycle path, near the Dannemarie marina in the Sundgau region. "We offer four types of pasta with over 50 side dishes made fresh on-site. Homemade desserts, hot and cold drinks, and ice cream are also on our menu." But I'm sure you'll find plenty of pasta here.

The 'Tocsin de l'écologie' in Hagenbach is a striking work of art and symbol of environmental awareness, located along the canal at the towpath. This installation, reminiscent of a warning bell, calls for reflection on the impact of man on nature. For cyclists, it is a surprising and meaningful stop along the route, in the middle of the peaceful Alsatian landscape.