Visit to the Parc de Wesserling and the Textile Ecomuseum

My review of the Parc de Wesserling and the Textile Ecomuseum

History of Wesserling’s royal printed-fabric manufactory

It was on this moraine hill that the Prince-Abbots of Murbach established a hunting lodge in 1699. At the time, it was a green paradise for the pleasure of the nobles.

In the mid-18th century, the site became a royal factory, one of France’s major manufacturers. It produced splendid printed fabrics, known as indiennes. The factory transformed society: inhabitants became farmer-workers, dividing their lives between the fields and the factory.

At first, many tasks were done at home, then as the manufactory prospered it expanded, as did the village around it. It was the industrial golden age, until the decline from the 1930s onwards. The site was saved in 1986 thanks to its purchase by the Region. The rehabilitation of the site and the gardens has made it today a remarkable industrial heritage ensemble.

What to see at the Parc de Wesserling? Gardens, ecomuseum and the Grande Chaufferie

The remarkable gardens: English-style park, kitchen garden and barefoot trail

The Parc de Wesserling can be explored at your own pace: kitchen garden, English-style park or even a barefoot trail, there’s plenty to discover. The park includes 5 gardens with the “Remarkable Garden” label.

💡 Local tip: Leave with some vegetables from the kitchen garden or a jar of jam — it’s sold on site.

The textile ecomuseum: how printed fabrics are made

The visit to the textile ecomuseum takes you through the steps involved in making printed fabrics, across 7 staged areas. Exhibitions, activities, and sound-and-light effects link the site’s history with contemporary art. Demonstrations of spinning, weaving and block printing bring these old trades back to life.

💡 Local tip: Head up to the museum terrace: the view over the whole site is well worth it. And if the weather’s bad, plan B: you can visit the permanent exhibition under cover, in the château.

Grande Chaufferie, heritage trail and designers’ workshops

You can also visit the Grande Chaufferie on an unusual tour, and follow a heritage trail along the textile-industry buildings: factories, sheds, owners’ châteaux, manor houses, industrial wasteland, farm… Then there are the shops and designers’ workshops to visit, if you still have a bit of time.

To extend your visit, the Cabrio craft brewery, located in the park (4 rue des Fabriques, 68470 Fellering), welcomes you to discover its local beers.

💡 Note: The designers’ workshops aren’t always open: check before you come.

Wesserling with the family

The park is a lovely place for families: kitchen garden, barefoot trail, farm, and themed gardens renewed every year. In other words, kids have a blast! Every year, the park hosts the Festival des Jardins Métissés, with a new theme of temporary gardens for over twenty years. Events follow one another throughout the year: take a look at the calendar to plan your visit.

💡 Local tip: Bring your own picnic: tables are available in the park. Otherwise, the Resto du Potager and the Salle des Turbines cafeteria welcome you.

Noël au Jardin in Wesserling: the illuminated December walk

Wesserling Park lights up in December for its “Noël au Jardin”. Each year, this illuminated walk through the gardens retells a well-known story, and it’s a real joy to go with family to experience Christmas differently!

Dates, times and booking

In 2026, ‘Noël au Jardin’ is titled “L’Aiguille d’Or” and takes place on evenings from December 4 to 30 (19 evenings), starting at 5 PM, for a narrated walk of approximately 1 hour. A hot drink is offered at the end of the route.

Online booking is mandatory and tickets sell out quickly: book soon, on the park’s website. Prices: €14 for adults, €9 for ages 4 to 17, free for under 4s.

Please note: the walk is forbidden for dogs and strongly discouraged for people with reduced mobility (due to stairs), according to the park’s website.

A story reinvented every year

Cinderella, Mary Poppins, or The Wizard of Oz: these are some of the stories that have been reinterpreted by Wesserling Park. In 2026, the edition is titled “L’Aiguille d’Or”. The story is adapted by the park in a different way each year. It can be integrated into the adventure of the former textile factory, with characters changing names, or it can take place in its original setting.

Whatever the case, everyone recognizes its iconic scenes: Mary Poppins’ uncle floating to the ceiling because he’s laughing so hard, the Wicked Witch of the East crushed by Dorothy’s house, or Cinderella losing her shoe as she rushes from the ball… The actors? They are so talented at immersing you in the story that it’s hard to believe they are park employees and volunteers who mobilize for “Noël au Jardin”.

Along the way, our little group is always part of the story. You’re never just a spectator at Noël au Jardin: you’re given missions of the utmost importance. We’ve all tidied our room under Mary Poppins’ kind gaze, my little one delivered Cinderella’s invitation to the ball, helped Dorothy get rid of one of the witches of Oz, and my niece assisted the Wizard of Oz with one of his “magic tricks”. What a joy to be part of the story!

How the walk works

To attend an evening, book online with the park, choosing your day and time slot.

On the day, in groups of about thirty people, we wait warmly in the textile ecomuseum before being led into the illuminated park… Along our path, several short scenes are beautifully lit.

We let ourselves be guided by lanterns and the story’s characters. It’s magical… Then, we finish with a lovely tale and a Christmas carol sung by a few volunteer singers in the farm, sitting on hay bales, close to the cows.

Tasty break at the Farm

At the end of the route, a hot drink is offered, and it’s possible to eat at the Farm. During my evenings, we arrived at a chalet, a reproduction of a mountain chalet commissioned by the factory owners in the 19th century.

We settled at large tables to drink mulled wine and eat a mannala or, for those who wished to dine on site, hot tartines, a good vegetable soup, and a dessert. These arrangements may change from one edition to another: inquire when booking.

💡 Local tip: Book quickly, tickets sell out fast, and pick a dinner-time slot: that’s the one I choose with the family.

What to remember about visiting Wesserling

The Parc de Wesserling can be visited at your own pace, with the family or as a couple. Here’s the key info:

• 🌳 5 gardens with the “Remarkable Garden” label to explore at your own pace
• 🧵 Textile ecomuseum in 7 staged areas
• ❄️ Noël au Jardin (evenings from December 4 to 30, 2026): online booking mandatory, tickets sell out fast
• 🎟️ Designers’ workshops not always open: check before you come

Want more walk ideas? Discover the 10 parks and gardens to discover in Alsace.

Frequently asked questions about visiting the Parc de Wesserling