Travelling with MM: Brisach France, Germany

26 July 2022

Brisach France, Germany

Travelled: Monday 30km from Basel, Switzerland to Kembs, France parking on the Grand Canal d’Alsace (Rhine River) 47.6562, 7.5229

We spent a lovely morning with my godfather Gilbert and his wife Gabi, at his plot in the community garden. He has been passionately growing many vegetables and fruit here for 38 years. We were generously sent off with bags of various goodies to enjoy in Bluey.

Once again it was with difficulty that we said our goodbyes, but we are appreciative of our warm welcome and the ability to share some time together.

The mercury hit 38°c so after a bit of investigating we picked a pot in France on an Island between the Rhine River and the Grand Canal d’Alsace. (On the way we stopped to do some shopping and washing in a large E.Leclerc store just over the border at St.Louis). We were so relieved to be be able to park Bluey in the shade and watch a few barges wonder up and down the canal. We even managed a dip in the Rhine again but the water was very turbulent and had a strong current caused by the hydroelectric plant so we didn’t venture very far. When I spotted a snake swimming next to the shore we made quick work of getting out of the water! and didn’t return…

The next morning we watched the barges go through the lock. There are plenty of them along the 50km canal between Kembs and Vogelgrun essentially providing the 30000(per year) boats to travel from Basel, Switzerland to the North Sea.

We then travelled 64km to Neuf Brisach, France then Breisach, Germany ending in the vineyards at Blankenhornberg (48.0517,7.6230)

We travelled through some colourful Alsace villages.

Neuf Brisach is a star shaped fortified town and it was the last one designed by Vauban on the orders of Louis XIV (the Sun King). We have seen a few of Vauban towns over the years as his deigns were the most successful défense system of the 17th century. Between 1699 to 1703, 8 regiments made up of 12 battalions helped the 3,000 workers construct the fort. The outer walls were 9m high and 3m thick. Unfortunately the 17km worth of walls was not strong enough to protect the town in the 1870 conflict with Germany and also WWII. However the walls did survive.

We parked right in the centre of town (the Parade Ground )

then set off with a walking map to discover a few the remains features. We walked out via the Belfort Gate.

The barge was used to transport stones during the straightening works on the Rhine in 1864.

There were numerous sculptures along the way..

The Colmar Gate.

The 20th century guardhouse.

We then crossed over the Rhine River and across the border into the old town of Breisach. It’s history reaches back over 4000 years due to location on the Rhine. During the 17th and 18th centuries, under Habsburg and French sovereignty, it was one of Europe’s most important and strongest fortified city. Unfortunately during 1793 it was almost completely destroyed by french bombardements and then again during WWII.

We managed to find a parking in the lower town and went exploring. As we walked up into the high town we walked through the tower which was a former prison.

St.Stephan’s Minster sits proudly up in the hill.

The Treadle wheel well tower is built above a 41m well and used a treadle wheel to draw the water up. It has also been used as a town hall with a torture chamber.