Haut-Barr Castle in Saverne: visit and the Devil’s Bridge
I'm not usually a fan of ruined castles, and yet this one blew me away. Perched at an altitude of about 470 meters on huge sandstone rocks above Saverne, Haut-Barr Castle offers a view of the Alsace plain, the Vosges, and, on a clear day, as far as the spire of Strasbourg Cathedral. Add an impressive footbridge, the Devil's Bridge, and free and open access: everything you need for a great outing in northern Alsace. Do you have a fear of heights? I'll tell you all about it below!
The essentials at a glance
- 📍 The spot: a medieval castle in ruins, built on three sandstone rocks in Saverne, in northern Alsace
- ⏳ Visit duration: about 1h on site
- 💶 Budget: free
- 👨👩👧👦 Audience: couples, families (from age 5), hikers. Uneven terrain and many stairs: not suitable for strollers or people with reduced mobility
- 🌉 Don’t miss: the Devil’s Bridge, Saint-Nicolas chapel, and the panoramic view
- 🅿️ Parking: free
My opinion on Haut-Barr Castle
I liked
- The superb view of the Alsace plain and the Vosges mountains
- The Devil’s Bridge: impressive to cross
- A spectacular site with free and open access
- The possibility of making it a stop on a hike or a bike ride around Saverne
I liked less
- The Devil’s Bridge, challenging if you have a fear of heights
What to see on site: views, history, and Saint-Nicolas chapel
A panoramic view of the Alsace plain and the Vosges
The castle is built on huge sandstone rocks that peak at 470 meters. This exceptional location offers a superb view of the Alsace plain and the Vosges. On a clear day, you can even see the spire of Strasbourg Cathedral.
💡 Note: on hazy days, don’t expect to see the cathedral spire.
A bit of history: the eye of Alsace
Built in 1170, Haut-Barr Castle was transformed and restored in the 14th century. It was erected by the bishops of Strasbourg to keep watch over the Zorn valley and the Alsace plain. That’s why it’s nicknamed the eye of Alsace.
The fortress we see today also owes much to work carried out at the end of the 16th century, such as the Renaissance gate and the artillery tower. The castle was then abandoned in the 18th century.
Saint-Nicolas chapel and the must-see remains
Don’t miss the Saint-Nicolas chapel, with its Romanesque nave and its Gothic choir with an oriel window. On site, also look out for:
- 🏰 the artillery tower
- 🏠 the seigneurial residence
- 🕳️ the well tower
- 🚪 the Renaissance gate
💡 Note: the ruins are fragile. Do not climb on the walls, keep children close to you, and wear good shoes for the stairs.
Crossing the Devil’s Bridge: vertigo or not?
Two rocks are connected by a footbridge nicknamed the Devil’s Bridge. It connects the Markfels rock to the rest of the castle. I must admit it is impressive to cross! If you have a fear of heights, it will be an interesting exercise… or not!
Hiking and cycling around Saverne
You can come just for the castle, but also discover it during a hike or a bike ride: there’s no shortage of itineraries. I recommend this beautiful hike around Saverne or even this great sporty bike loop around Saverne, which actually passes by the castle. From Saverne city center, plan for about 1h30 on foot to walk up to the castle.
Also on the blog
Key takeaways about Haut-Barr Castle
- 🏰 A medieval castle perched at 470 m, in Saverne, with free and open access
- 🌄 A view of the Alsace plain, the Vosges, and, on a clear day, Strasbourg Cathedral
- 🌉 The Devil’s Bridge: spectacular, but to be avoided if you have a fear of heights
- 👟 Good shoes are essential: stairs, uneven terrain, site not suitable for strollers or people with reduced mobility
- 🚴 Combine it with a hike or my bike loop around Saverne
Looking to extend your outing? Check out my sporty cycling loop around Saverne, or if you’d like to see another castle in Alsace, the famous Haut-Koenigsbourg Castle.
Practical information
Rates and schedules
Access to the castle is free and open all year round. Parking is free.
Duration and accessibility
Plan for about 1h on site. The site is not suitable for strollers or people with reduced mobility.
Access
Address: Château du Haut-Barr, D171, 67700 Saverne.
| Fashion | From the center of Saverne | Note |
|---|---|---|
| By car | about 5 min | |
| On foot | about 1h30 | Hiking around Saverne |
| By bike | see my 40 km sporty loop | |
| Public transport | no shuttle | Saverne station by TER train, then walk up |
By car, the castle is located:
- 55 km from Strasbourg (about 50 minutes)
- 90 km from Colmar (about 1h25)
- 133 km from Mulhouse (about 1h45)
Eating on site
There is a restaurant at the foot of the rocks, Là-Haut. I haven’t tested it.
Your questions about the visit (rates, Devil’s Bridge, access)
Is Haut-Barr Castle free?
Yes, access to Haut-Barr Castle is free and open all year round. Parking is also free.
How much time do you need to visit Haut-Barr Castle?
Plan for about 1h on site. If you walk up from the center of Saverne, add about 1h30 of walking for the way up.
Can you cross the Devil’s Bridge with children or if you have a fear of heights?
It’s a footbridge connecting two rocks: it’s impressive, so approach it with caution. Keep children close to you. If you have a fear of heights, the crossing can be challenging.
Can you visit Haut-Barr Castle with a stroller or in a wheelchair?
No, the site is not suitable: the terrain is uneven and there are many stairs.
How to get to Haut-Barr Castle from Saverne?
The castle is about 5 minutes by car or 1h30 on foot from Saverne city center. There is no shuttle.