Saverne is a town 23 kilometres to the north-west of Strasbourg in the Bas-Rhin department of Alsace. Best known perhaps for the Chateau des Rohans, the town has an interesting historic centre and is also popular as a base from which to explore the Vosges mountains and the surrounding region
The site of the town of Saverne has long been important as a gateway for trade, dating back as far as Roman times, due to its position at the end of a pass through the Vosges mountains. The importance of the town was further reinforced when the Bishops from Strasbourg established their homes here.
Exploring Saverne
The main 'big' site in the town - and big it is - is the Chateau des Rohans. The castle, constructed at the end of the 18th century for the powerful clergy of Strasbourg, is in the neoclassical style and built from the rather dark red rock of the region, which give it a rather sombre appearance.
The chateau started out as an episcopal (bishops) building but was restored by Napolean and converted into a barracks, and it is now home to a museum of local history, a primary school and a youth hostel.
In front of the castle you will also enjoy a stroll around the harbour and along the sides of the Canal de la Marne au Rhin. The canal continues through the centre of the town, with baskets of colourful geraniums adding an additional splash of colour to the scene.
After taking a look at the castle you will enjoy exploring the pretty streets lined with medieval steep-rooved houses in the historical centre of this active little town. In particular the highlights that you will see in Saverne include:
- various half-timbered houses, in particular two very ornate houses on La Grande Rue. One of these is the most interesting building in the town: the beautiful Taverne Katz with its amazingly ornate facade. It was built in 1605 for Henri Katz who was the chief tax collector and the house is one of the most beautiful in the Bas-Rhin department. Be sure to take the time to look at the numerous carvings of people and fruits in the woodwork of the Maison Katz..
- the Church of the Recollets and the associated gothic style cloisters, built in the 14th century and planted with a selection of medicinal plants and the Church of Notre-Dame, an attractive church with a square tower dating in part from the 12th century that contains various interesting artefacts
The main square in the centre of Saverne is the Place de la Licorne (Place of the Unicorn), where you can also see a statue of a unicorn. The association between unicorns and Saverne dates back more than a thousand years and relates to a legend that a unicorn dipped its horn in the waters here and thus conferred them with therapeutic powers.
There are lots of other interesting buildings, churches and smaller sights of interest that you will also come across as you explore so to make sure you don't miss anything important be sure to also visit the Saverne Tourist Office (at 37 Grand Rue).
From the top of the town the view along the Grand Rue is very pretty, past the Taverne Katz and the town hall beside it, with its lovely roof, and on down to the hills that form a back-drop beyond.
The Rose Garden in Saverne, on the edge of the river and with several hundreds of varieties of rose planted, is also a very popular attraction with visitors.
Attractions nearby
As well as its other attractions Saverne is a popular stopping point for boats travelling the Canal de la Marne au Rhin and you will see boats parked up in the Port de Plaisance below the chateau or manoeuvering the lock at the bottom of the Grand Rue.
There is also a Botanic Garden nearby known for its orchids, and the Chateau du Haut Barr, built in 1583 at an altitude of 470m which offers great views over Alsace and the Northern Vosges, is another popular local attraction.
If you are staying near Saverne, you should also explore some of the pretty villages such as Bouxwiller and Neuwiller-les-Saverne.
You can find more travel ideas in the Bas-Rhin guide and the Alsace guide.
Photos of Saverne
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Map of Saverne and places nearby
Visit near Saverne with France This Way reviews
Marmoutier
It is the abbey, and in particular its ornate facade, that is the highlight of your visit to Marmoutier
Marmoutier guide
Neuwiller-les-Saverne
As well as the pretty half-timbered houses, the centre of Neuwiller-les-Saverne is dominated by two imposing churches
Neuwiller-les-Saverne guide
Wasselonne
Although lacking major monuments Wasselonee is a pleasant town to explore when you are in the region
Wasselonne guide
Molsheim
Although Molsheim is now quite a large town it is the small historic centre that will be of interest to visitors
Molsheim guide
Saint-Quirin
The centre of the small village of Saint-Quirin is very pleasant to explore, then take the cobbled path that leads to a small chapel above the village
Saint-Quirin guide
Rosheim
The roman style church is one highlight in Rosheim, and the oldest bakery in Alsace is another!
Rosheim guide... or see ALL recommended places to visit in Bas-Rhin
Address: Saverne, Alsace, 67700, France || GPS coordinates: latitude 48.742, longitude 7.3627
Plan your visit to Saverne, Bas-Rhin
Sightseeing & tourist attractions to visit nearby
- Jardin botanique du col de Saverne: remarkable garden
- Vosges-du-Nord: regional natural parc (13 km)
- Jardin de l'Escalier: remarkable garden (25 km)
- Jardin du chateau de Kolbsheim: remarkable garden (26 km)
- Jardin de la ferme bleue: remarkable garden (27 km)
- Domaine du Windeck: remarkable garden (32 km)
- Bischheim: ville fleurie 4* (32 km)
- Obernai: recommended detour (32 km)
- Jardin botanique de l'université de Strasbourg: remarkable garden (33 km)
- Strasbourg Grand Ile: heritage site (33 km)
- Strasbourg: town of art and history (33 km)
- Parc animalier de Sainte-Croix: zoo or wildlife park (34 km)
Market days in Saverne, France
Regular market(s) are held in Saverne each Thursday. (Markets are held in the morning unless stated.)
The French version of this page is at Saverne (Francais)