Visit of the “Maisons des Rochers”: troglodyte houses in Alsace

By Laurène Philippot
Updated on 2026-10-29
Museum and monuments, Museum and monuments (when it rains), On a budget, Open on sundays, Unusual activities, With kids
Blue facade of the Maisons des Rochers de Graufthal set against the sandstone cliff

Blue houses nestled beneath a cliff of pink sandstone: that’s the surprising setting that awaited me in Graufthal, in the Vosges du Nord. I’d already admired them from the outside, without ever stepping through the door. Verdict: the Maisons des Rochers can be visited, and it’s really well worth the detour! You’ll discover troglodyte houses that were lived in until 1958, with interiors recreated from period photos. Here’s everything you need to know to plan your visit.

Laurène Philippot
Laurène is the blog's creator. Originally from Brittany but now living in Alsace, she has fallen in love with her adopted region and loves exploring its every nook and cranny to unearth great ideas to share with you!

Summary

  1. My review of the Graufthal visit
  2. Where are the troglodyte houses of Graufthal?
  3. What to see at the Maisons des Rochers de Graufthal?
  4. A troglodyte architecture unique in Alsace
  5. What to visit near Graufthal?
  6. What to remember about the Maisons des Rochers
  7. Frequently asked questions about visiting Graufthal

The essentials at a glance

  • 📍 Location: 22 rue Principale, Graufthal, in the Vosges du Nord Regional Nature Park
  • ⏱️ Recommended duration: about 45 minutes
  • 👨‍👩‍👧 Audience: families, couples, those curious about local history
  • 💶 Budget: € (€4 for an adult, €2.50 for ages 12 to 18, free for under 12s)
  • 📅 Opening period: mid-March to mid-November (March 14 to November 11 in 2026)

My review of the Graufthal visit

I liked

  • An unusual visit, unique in Alsace
  • Interiors recreated from period photos, with antique furniture
  • Discover the history of the place and the life of the former inhabitants
  • A magnificent setting, at the foot of the sandstone cliffs
  • A modest entrance fee (€4 for an adult)
  • Included in the Pass Alsace (free for adults)

I liked a little less

  • A fairly quick visit, in a rather isolated spot: better to combine it with other visits in the area

Where are the troglodyte houses of Graufthal?

You’ll find astonishing troglodyte houses to visit in Graufthal, in northern Alsace, not far from La Petite Pierre, in the heart of the Vosges du Nord Regional Nature Park.

Blue house of the Maisons des Rochers de Graufthal at the foot of a pink sandstone cliff, with flowers along the path
View of the Graufthal church from the window of a troglodyte house, with a flower box
Blue facade of the Maisons des Rochers de Graufthal set against the sandstone cliff

What to see at the Maisons des Rochers de Graufthal?

The recreated interiors around Catherine Ottermann

The visit takes us on a trip back in time, but not as far back as you might imagine: the last house was lived in until 1958 by Catherine Ottermann. That’s not so long ago! You’ll discover the history of the site and its inhabitants.

Photos made it possible to recreate the interior of the houses, with antique furniture installed on site.

Recreated bedroom of a troglodyte house with a wooden bed, spinning wheel and table
Light-walled room with a blue checked bed and chairs, in the Maisons des Rochers
Stable and workshop carved into the sandstone, with old tools and hanging ropes
Recreated living room with a checked tablecloth, wardrobe and exposed beams

Stable, workshop and matchstick making

Even if the layout seems quite charming today, you can easily imagine how hard the living conditions were: damp rock, low light, no modern comforts. Water had to be fetched from the fountain below. Entire families, and even animals, lived in these tiny spaces. Apparently, it wasn’t easy to get the cows in, either!

Another surprising fact: matches were made here, under very harsh working conditions. The testimonies on the panels of the permanent exhibition show just how tough it was.

Carved wooden statue with a red cap in front of the sandstone cliff, among the hydrangeas
Hand holding a bundle of thin wooden sticks, raw material for matches
View of the church and rooftops of Graufthal from the rock shelter, with the Vosges du Nord forest in the background

🗺️ Local tip: allow around 45 minutes for the visit. The site is quite isolated: I recommend combining it with another visit in the area rather than making the trip just for this.

🕐 Please note: the ticket office closes between 12:45 and 1:15 PM. From the last Sunday in October, the houses close one hour earlier. The self-guided visit in small groups requires no booking.

Also on the blog

A troglodyte architecture unique in Alsace

You can take a closer look at how the troglodyte houses are fully integrated into the imposing pink sandstone cliffs typical of the Vosges du Nord. The rock forms the ceiling, the floor and part of the walls.

That’s also one of the reasons they were built here: very few walls still needed to be added, which kept the cost of housing very low. These buildings are truly amazing and unique in Alsace.

What to visit near Graufthal?

The Maisons des Rochers can be visited quickly: here’s how to round out your day in the area.

What to remember about the Maisons des Rochers

  • 🏠 Troglodyte houses at the foot of the sandstone cliffs, inhabited until 1958
  • ⏱️ A visit of about 45 minutes, to combine with other visits in the area
  • 📅 Open from mid-March to mid-November, dates to be confirmed each year on the official website
  • 💶 Entry at €4 for an adult, free for under 12s

To extend your day in the area, check out my guide to visiting La Petite Pierre.

Practical information

Opening hours and days

  • From March 14 to November 11, 2026: 10 AM to 6 PM, until 6:30 PM on Sundays and public holidays
  • Ticket office: 10 AM to 12:45 PM and 1:15 PM to 5:45 PM (until 6:15 PM on Sundays and public holidays)
  • Closes an hour earlier from the last Sunday of October
  • Weekends in November after the 11th (November 14-15, 21-22 and 28-29, 2026): 10 AM to 5 PM, weather permitting

These hours apply to the 2026 season. Check the official website for dates of the following season.

Rates

  • Under 12: free
  • Ages 12 to 18: €2.50
  • Adults: €4
  • Guided tour: flat rate of €25 plus €2.50 per person, to be arranged via the contact page of the official website
  • Dogs allowed, on a leash
  • Contact: 03 88 70 19 59 (during opening hours)

Access

By car

Graufthal is located in:

  • 65km from Strasbourg (about 1h)
  • 105 km from Colmar (about 1h40)
  • 150km from Mulhouse (about 2h)

By public transport

You can calculate your route on Fluo Grand Est.

Frequently asked questions about visiting Graufthal

Where are the troglodyte houses of Graufthal?

The Maisons des Rochers are located at 22 rue Principale in Graufthal, in the north of Alsace. They are in the heart of the Vosges du Nord Regional Nature Park, not far from La Petite Pierre.

How much does it cost to visit the Maisons des Rochers?

Entry costs €4 for an adult and €2.50 for ages 12 to 18. It’s free for under-12s. A guided tour is available for a flat fee of €25 plus €2.50 per person, and the self-guided visit in small groups requires no booking (2026 prices).

When are the Maisons des Rochers open?

In 2026, they were open from March 14 to November 11, from 10 AM to 6 PM, until 6:30 PM on Sundays and public holidays. They are therefore closed in winter, and the dates for the following season are to be confirmed on the official website.

How much time should you plan for visiting the Maisons des Rochers?

Allow around 45 minutes on site. The visit is fairly quick, leaving time to follow it up with another visit in the area.

Are dogs allowed at the Maisons des Rochers?

Yes, provided they are kept on a leash, according to the official website.