Le Struthof

Visit Le Struthof, Alsace

During the Second World War, Alsace was annexed by Germany to become part of Germany itself. Perhaps this is why it had the 'distinction' of being home to the only concentration camp to be built on 'French' soil, at Le Struthof.

Struthof was built in the Vosges Mountains close to the village of Natzwiller (the full name of the camp was Natzweiler-Struthof), and was used from 1941 to 1944.

Struthof was not a camp of mass-extermination, but still approximately 25,000 people died in the camp, from malnutrition and overwork, and medical experiments. A gas chamber was also built nearby. Those imprisoned were frequently political prisoners and resistance fighters.

Prisoners were often brought to Struthof under the 'Night and Fog' ruling of Nazi Germany:

Heinrich Himmler original decree:

After lengthy consideration, it is the will of the Führer that the measures taken against those who are guilty of offenses against the Reich or against the occupation forces in occupied areas should be altered. The Führer is of the opinion that in such cases penal servitude or even a hard labor sentence for life will be regarded as a sign of weakness. An effective and lasting deterrent can be achieved only by the death penalty or by taking measures which will leave the family and the population uncertain as to the fate of the offender. Deportation to Germany serves this purpose.

Letter from Field Marshall Wilhelm Keitel

Efficient and enduring intimidation can only be achieved either by capital punishment or by measures by which the relatives of the criminals do not know the fate of the criminal. The prisoners are, in future, to be transported to Germany secretly, and further treatment of the offenders will take place here; these measures will have a deterrent effect because - A. The prisoners will vanish without a trace. B. No information may be given as to their whereabouts or their fate.

The site has been partially preserved, including the barbed-wire fences and a couple of the dormitories. The building that held the gas chamber is still standing, and the quarries where the prisoners were forced to work can still be seen.

A large monument has been constructed on the site in tribute to the events that took place.

(Note: photo is copyright)

See Alsace and Bas-Rhin (the region and department for Le Struthof) for more travel ideas...

Suggested places to visit near Le Struthof, France

Distances shown are direct, driving distances will be greater.

More suggestions: Obernai 17km; Rosheim 17km; Epfig 18km; Molsheim 21km; Chateau du Haut-Koenigsbourg 22km; Kintzheim 23km; Saint-Quirin 24km; Ebersmunster 24km; Selestat 25km; Wasselonne 26km; Bergheim 27km;

Le Struthof tourist information: sights and attractions nearby

Domaine du Windeck - remarkable garden (13km) : Itterswiller - ville fleurie 4* (16km) : Jardins de Callunes - remarkable garden (21km) : Parc du château de Kintzheim - remarkable garden (22km) : Jardin du chateau de Kolbsheim - remarkable garden (28km) : Parc du domaine de Schoppenwihr - remarkable garden (33km) : Diebolsheim - ville fleurie 4* (34km) : Le jardin de Marguerite - remarkable garden (35km) :

See more places and a map at places near Le Struthof