Nestling in the foothills of the Vosges mountains, Obernai is an unmissable stop on the Alsace Wine Route. The birthplace of St. Odile, about thirty kilometres from Strasbourg, it offers some beautiful architectural heritage for visitors to admire.
With its harmonious ensemble of medieval and Renaissance houses, its historic centre surrounded by ramparts is full of gems. Its side streets are a pleasure to wander around, discovering its historic treasures.
After the central market square, surrounded by old buildings such as the 13th-century belfry and the city hall, you can continue to the wheat hall, the Renaissance well with six buckets dating from 1579, and also the St. Odile fountain in tribute to the patron saint of Alsace. You can also admire the Church of Saints Peter and Paul, built in the Neo-Gothic style from pink, grey and yellow sandstone, as well as the synagogue, a listed historic monument.
In the heights of Obernai, the National Memorial to the Forcibly Enlisted offers a superb panoramic view of the city, the Alsace Plain and Mont Sainte-Odile.
Every year, the magical atmosphere of Obernai Christmas market, very popular with visitors, enlivens the streets with its unmissable illuminations and decorations, as well as concerts and storytelling walks.
Beautiful and elegant half-timbered houses... wine route... no doubt you are in Obernai, medieval city of Bas-Rhin. Just 20 minutes from Strasbourg, the cradle of Sainte-Odile welcomes you for a picturesque tour of its streets. The natural environment of the commune at the foot of the Vosges is exceptional. It benefits from a part of the forest of Landsberg and the Ehn crosses its territory cracked of multiple rivers. In turn, a Roman crossroads, a Merovingian villa or a property of the Dukes of Alsace and then of the Hohenbourg monasteries, Obernai crossed the epochs by gaining its stripes and quickly becoming an imperial city. It is around 1240 that it obtains its status of city. The city freed of the nobility thrives quickly thanks to viticulture and crafts. The Renaissance will leave many architectural testimonies throughout the city. Attached to Germany in 1871, it was not until the two wars that it became French again like the rest of Alsace. Spared from destruction, the city has managed to preserve its heritage, rich in a diversified and perennial history. The vineyard always holds a very large place and Obernai knows how to seduce its visitors by the splendor of its vestiges and its innate taste for the art of living.
City of history, Obernai is discovered by walking through the narrow streets of the old town surrounded by the typical half-timbered houses. To gain height and dominate this labyrinth largely flowered, you would have to climb to the top of the belfry. This emblematic monument of the city rises to 59.60 meters to the top of its spire. Watchtower, bell tower of the chapel or even belfry, it has fulfilled multiple functions throughout the history. On your way, you will come across the church of Saint-Pierre-et-Paul. The building dates from 1872 and houses a remarkable organ in an exceptional neo-Gothic setting. A little further on, the well with six buckets of Renaissance style awaits you well camped on its three columns. Nearby is the Sainte-Odile fountain, erected as a tribute to the patron saint of Alsace. You will love to walk on the ramparts surrounding the old town. Strolling through the streets you can see the Romanesque house dating from 1240, the town hall, a successful marriage between the remains of an arch building and an extension dating from 1848 and the wheat hall, built in 1554 as a butcher's shop. To discover all the treasures of the city, you can climb aboard the tourist train or take a walk in the streets of the city. You will also be able to leave in the surrounding nature and in particular to cross the circuit in the shade of Mont Saint-Odile.
In the stride and not to lose the rhythm, you will have all the leisure to discover the vineyard by the wine trail. From the cultivation of the vines to the harvesting of the grapes until fermentation in the cellars, you will know everything about this white or red nectar. Besides, many winegrowers will be happy to welcome you in their winery for a tasting while making you discover with passion their domain.
To relax, you can enjoy the municipal swimming pool, the equestrian center or the shooting range and tennis courts. Lovers of fishing will be satisfied. They will be able to throw their lines in the pond of Obernai and fill their swaths of fresh fish.
For the Easter celebrations, Obernai is adorned with its finest attire and celebrates with dignity the return of spring. On this occasion, the city celebrates the Spring of Alsace bringing together many events around the Easter celebrations, well-being, nature and celebration.
In late April and early May, the city celebrates the circus arts. An unmissable event of the most beautiful circuses, you will be amazed by shows where jugglers, clowns and contortionists succeed one another on stage for your pleasure. The Pisteur d'Étoiles festival offers many more surprises with initiation workshops and concerts among other activities.
In early June, it is the athletes who are expected at the start of the triathlon of Obernai. From the smallest to the biggest, come try to surpass yourself by facing the three events of this famous triathlon. The minimum age required is 6 years.
Throughout the month of July, Les Estivales offers live shows and concerts for the enjoyment of all. It moves and it swings to Obernai during the summer!
On July 15th, it is still the sportsmen who meet for the O'nles kilometers of Obernai. This pedestrian race takes place between undulating trails and flat road to allow all riders, beginners or confirmed, to try.
At the end of July, the Music Festival offers a series of concerts followed by a meeting with specialists who will be delighted to reveal the secrets of the composition.
At the end of August, the Grand Marché of Obernai opens its doors. Many exhibitors await you, craftsmen and local producers, to present their latest creation. The local producers are also present and it is the opportunity to discover all the pleasures of this terroir gourmand.
At the end of August always, the Gastronomic Promenade of Schenkenberg leads you to the discovery of the vineyards around and products of the soil with 6 stops "relax and delight".
Mid-September, the Organic Agriculture Fair is waiting for you at Obernai for the Biobernai. 220 exhibitors, some 60 conferences, animations and workshops are offered throughout the days to be as close as possible to new developments in organic farming.
