Luttenbach-près-Munster

at the doors of the valley
Population: 852 inhabitants (source INSEE 2006)
Area size: 786 ha

Presentation

Originally constituted of several hamlets, like most of the villages of the valley, the first reference to Luttenbach dates back to 1120. Luttenbach is founded by the abbey of Munster, which seems to possess a farm in the place known as Fronzell. The name Luttenbach probably comes from "lüt" (noisy), the noisy brook, except if it is little brook (lützel Bach). It is part of the Community of the city and valley of Munster until the French Revolution.

In 1738, une Jean-Frédéric Schoepflin, brother of the historian Jean-Daniel Schoepflin, creates a paper factory. Voltaire stays there for two weeks in October 1753. In 1894, the factory is turned into a textile manufacture by Jean Kiener. Gustave Rothan (1822-1890), ambassador, plenipotentiary minister of Napoléon III, acquires the domain, but is evicted by the German authorities after 1871.

In 1895, his daughter Marie marries Pierre de Freddy, baron de Coubertin ; he created the modern Olympics. They spend the summer in the property they inherited, from 1896 to 1914. Destroyed during WW1, it is sold to the Immer-Klein establishments, and used as a textile factory till about 1960. Nowadays, it houses the camping area of "Les Amis de la Nature".

Some years ago, a sabot maker decided to settle in the village to perpetuate this rare craft, which used to be traditional in the Valley. During summer, every Tuesday evening, an authentic market with local products and demonstrations, is installed in his courtyard.

What to do - to see

Old property of Gustave Rothan and Pierre de Freddy, baron de Coubertin

Luttenbach’s camping area occupies most of the park of the old property of Baron de Coubertin, former royal paper factory. Some remnants of these glorious times: some walls of the Rothan property, a gate of the 18th century, a fountain “of Dolphins” which dates back to the very late 18th century/beginning of the 19th century.

Voltaire oak tree, trail of Nagelstall

A legend of the 19th century tells that Voltaire, who stayed in the royal paper factory in 1753, would hide in then hollow trunk of this oak, while chased by spies of both French and Prussian kings.

City hall

This old School-City hall was built in 1851-1852 by Colmarian architect Schoffit. The conception is characteristic of 19th century administration buildings.

Hiking

Trails of Club Vosgien to Petit Ballon, Sattel, Gaschney, and the nice forest trail along the Furch brook. Some sympathetic farm-inns can be reached from the village.