La Passerelle des Trois Pays in Huningue: between France, Germany and Switzerland
Crossing the Rhine on foot and finding yourself in Germany in minutes, with Switzerland in sight: that's the charm of the Three Countries Footbridge. At 248 meters long, it connects Huningue to Weil am Rhein and is the longest single-span footbridge reserved for pedestrians and cyclists in the world. But is it worth the detour? I'll tell you everything, including the downsides.
Summary
- My opinion on La Passerelle des Trois Pays in Huningue
- Where is La Passerelle des Trois Pays? Between Huningue, Weil am Rhein and Basel
- Architecture: a 248-meter arch designed by Dietmar Feichtinger
- What can you see from La Passerelle des Trois Pays? View of the Rhine and the 3 countries
- Walk across to Weil am Rhein: Rhein Center, Vitra and a break in Germany
- Cycling on La Passerelle des Trois Pays
- A good nearby address: the Liloucieux tea room in Huningue
- What to remember about La Passerelle des Trois Pays
- Frequently asked questions about La Passerelle des Trois Pays
The essentials at a glance
- 📍 Location: Huningue (Haut-Rhin), extending rue de France, facing Weil am Rhein (Germany)
- ⏱️ Recommended duration: the time to cross the footbridge, plus a stroll on the German side if you feel like it (but it’s mostly a shopping center!)
- 👨👩👧 Audience: Couples, families, cyclists, walkers
- 💶 Cost: Free
- 🕒 Opening hours: Free access, always open
- 🚲 Mobility: reserved for pedestrians and cyclists
My opinion on La Passerelle des Trois Pays in Huningue
I liked
- The pleasure of having a view of 3 countries
- Crossing the border very easily, with no visible barrier
- The slender arch of the footbridge, an award-winning architecture
I liked less
- The setting remains quite industrial
Where is La Passerelle des Trois Pays? Between Huningue, Weil am Rhein and Basel
La Passerelle des Trois Pays owes its name to its position: it is located at the meeting point of three countries. It crosses the Rhine to connect Huningue (France) to Weil am Rhein (Germany), a stone’s throw from the Swiss border, near Basel. By crossing it, you pass from one country to another without a visible physical border: a beautiful symbol of cross-border cooperation.
- 📍 French side: Huningue, extending rue de France
- 📍 German side: Weil am Rhein
- 📍 A stone’s throw away: Basel, Switzerland
Architecture: a 248-meter arch designed by Dietmar Feichtinger
Designed by Franco-Austrian architect Dietmar Feichtinger, the footbridge combines engineering and aesthetics: a slender, asymmetrical 248-meter arch that seems to float above the Rhine. It was opened to the public on March 30, 2007 and has received several awards, including the Deutscher Brückenbaupreis in 2008 and the IABSE Outstanding Structure Award in 2009. Its design limits supports in the river and offers a smooth promenade for pedestrians and cyclists.
| Data | Value |
|---|---|
| Total length | 248 m |
| Main span | approx. 229 m |
| Opened to public | March 30, 2007 |
| Architect | Dietmar Feichtinger |
| Awards | Deutscher Brückenbaupreis (2008), IABSE Outstanding Structure Award (2009) |
| Usage | Pedestrians and cyclists |
What can you see from La Passerelle des Trois Pays? View of the Rhine and the 3 countries
From the footbridge, you can enjoy a view of the Rhine and its surroundings. It’s quite industrial, but the place remains nice for a quiet stroll.
Walk across to Weil am Rhein: Rhein Center, Vitra and a break in Germany
Beyond its architecture, the footbridge lets you go border-hopping. On one side, the Alsatian town of Huningue. On the other, Weil am Rhein, with its shopping center, the Rhein Center.
The Vitra Campus and its design museum are also on the German side: check it out in our dedicated article on the Vitra Campus. It takes about 30 minutes by public transport, but only 10 minutes by bike. The beautiful city of Basel, in Switzerland, isn’t far either.
Je trouve amusant de pouvoir aller manger un morceau ou boire une bière en Allemagne en 5 minutes à pied, pour le symbole, mais soyez conscients que ce n’est pas le quartier le plus glamour de la région!
Also on the blog
Cycling on La Passerelle des Trois Pays
The footbridge is reserved for pedestrians and cyclists. It’s a natural crossing point to reach Germany and Switzerland by bike. For a complete itinerary, I refer you to my small 3-country bike loop.
A good nearby address: the Liloucieux tea room in Huningue
Feeling a little hungry or craving a sweet treat in Huningue? The Liloucieux tea room is a good address near the footbridge. Vincent tested it during the Huningue Christmas treasure hunt: homemade pastries, comforting drinks, bowls, bagels, and brunches in a family-friendly atmosphere.
What to remember about La Passerelle des Trois Pays
- 📍 It connects Huningue to Weil am Rhein, with Basel a stone’s throw away
- 🌉 248 m long, free and always open, reserved for pedestrians and cyclists
- 👍 A good excuse for a stroll on the German side, towards the Rhein Center or the Vitra Campus
- ⚠️ The setting remains quite industrial
Practical information and access to La Passerelle des Trois Pays
Rate
Free of charge.
Schedules
Free access, always open.
By car
The bridge of the three countries is located in the extension of the rue de France in Huningue. It is located at:
- 36 km from Mulhouse (about 40 minutes)
- 63 km from Colmar (about 50 minutes)
- 137 km from Strasbourg (about 1h30)
By public transport
Feasible by public transport, but it depends on your starting point. From Saint-Louis SNCF station, bus line 1 serves the Huningue – Alsace stop. To plan your journey, visit Fluo.
Frequently asked questions about La Passerelle des Trois Pays
Where is the Passerelle des Trois Pays located?
It is located in Huningue, in the Haut-Rhin, at the end of rue de France, and it crosses the Rhine to Weil am Rhein, in Germany. Basel, in Switzerland, is very close.
How long is the Passerelle des Trois Pays?
Elle mesure 248 mètres de long, avec une portée principale d’environ 229 mètres.
Is the Passerelle des Trois Pays free and open all the time?
Yes, access is free and open at all times. It is reserved for pedestrians and cyclists.
Can you get to the Passerelle des Trois Pays by public transport?
Yes, it’s doable, but it all depends on your starting point. To plan your journey, use Fluo.
What to do around the Passerelle des Trois Pays?
On the German side, you’ll find the Rhein Center and the Vitra Campus (about 10 minutes by bike). On the Huningue side, the Parc des Eaux Vives and the Liloucieux tea room are nearby.