Souffelweyersheim is a commune in Bas-Rhin, in the Grand Est region, 6 km north-west of Strasbourg. Its territory of 4.5 km² is located in the Alsace plain, between the Vosges and Black Forest massifs, and it is crossed by the Souffel river which gave its name to the locality.
For a long time made up of pastures shared with neighboring municipalities, Souffelweyersheim developed in the 19th century. The village was first the scene of battles between French revolutionary troops and emigrants allied to Austria-Hungary, then, in 1815, the Napoleonic army led by General Rapp was defeated there by troops commanded by the Prince of Württemberg. Which set the village on fire.
The activity then remains essentially agricultural and milling. In the middle of the 19th century, the locality is crossed by the Marne-Rhine canal dug between 1838 and 1853, which remains one of the assets of the town.
In 1906, the development of the Haubsergen marshalling yard partly encroached on the territory.
However, it was not until the 1950s (first subdivisions) and then integration into the urban community of Strasbourg in 1968 that Souffelweyersheim experienced a demographic boom linked to its proximity to the Alsatian capital. However, the city, which now has nearly 8,000 inhabitants, has preserved a heritage of interest and a pleasant living environment. With its extensive leisure offer, it deserves a stopover during a stay in Alsace.
The demographic growth and urbanization of the territory have not erased the past, and Souffelweyersheim can boast of having a quality heritage.
This is the case with the Saint-Georges church, built in 1781 in a neoclassical style, probably according to plans designed by the architect of the bishopric of Strasbourg. Only the tower is original. In addition, the building was enlarged (fitting out new bays) in the 1930s.
The schoolhouse dates from the end of the 1890s (it has since been enlarged). A stroll in the center of the historic village also allows you to admire a number of half-timbered houses built in the pure regional tradition after the fire of 1815 (rue des Tonneliers, rue de la Mairie and rue du Moulin). Also worth seeing are the Maison Joséphine, a modern but pretty building (turret, spire, overhangs) built in 1890 by the owner of a brickyard (rue du Canal) and the Lorentz farm (rue des Tonneliers), with wooden balcony and chapel private with stained glass windows.
A rural cross from 1755, the site of the old saltpêtrière, a terminal from 1871 can also mark out a "discovery" route of the center and the green surroundings of the city. Note that fun heritage tours designed for a family audience have been designed. To be produced with a booklet available at the town hall (contact on +33 3 88 20 00 12).
In terms of cultural leisure activities, the locality has a library, "7 à Lire", where activities such as meetings or readings are regularly offered (information on +33 3 88 19 07 08) and space culture of Sept Arpents where shows, exhibitions and events are scheduled (inquire at +33 3 88 20 00 12).
As regards "nature" sports and leisure activities, a nautical port is located at the level of the canal, the navigation of which is now essentially dedicated to tourism. Boats can park there for two days and benefit from equipment such as water and electricity points.
The towpath along the canal has also changed its vocation. Today it is one of the sections of the "Euro Velo 5" cycle route linking London to Rome. At the level of the Souffelweyersheim lock, it crosses the 85 km long cycle path linking all the old fortifications that once surrounded the city of Strasbourg. For cyclo-tourism enthusiasts, again, it should be noted that the city is integrated into the Vitaboucle network which constitutes a set of loops in the city. In the city, it is 7 km long and can also be used by hiking enthusiasts. For the latter, other circuits are possible to reach the green areas of the locality or to reach Strasbourg via paths protected from car traffic. The opportunity for example to walk along the allotment gardens located rue du Ried…
For hiking or cycling and access to municipal sports facilities, maps and information on +33 3 88 20 00 12 or +33 3 88 52 28 28.
