Visit to Landskron Castle in Leymen

My summary

Why visit Landskron Castle?

Listed as a Monument Historique, Landskron castle is one of the many fortified castles that dot the Alsatian landscape. What makes it so special is its geographical location on the French-Swiss border, and the fact that its ruins still stand majestically.

You can see the remains of several towers, a keep and a large surrounding wall. It’s an impressive sight, especially with the landscape stretching as far as the eye can see. On a clear day, you can even see the Swiss Alps. Personally, it’s one of my favorite castles in Alsace, along with Ferrette, which is not far away.

A little history

Landskron Castle was built at the end of the XIIIᵉ century on a site already occupied by an earlier fortification, with the aim of guarding the strategic Sundgau corridor and the city of Basel.

After initial rivalries between local families, it passed to the Habsburgs, then from 1462 to the Reich lords of Reichenstein, who fortified it in 1516 to make it resistant to firearms.

Transferred to France after the Peace of Westphalia in 1648, Vauban reinforced its defenses and used it as a garrison (like Huningue and Neuf-Brisach), then as a state prison until the French Revolution (when it was nicknamed the “Alsatian Bastille”).

It was finally partially destroyed in 1813 by Austrian and Bavarian troops during the Napoleonic Wars, with the exception of the keep, which was preserved thanks to the intervention of a local priest, who convinced a victorious general to keep it as a sign of victory. The keep was used as an observation post by the Germans during the 2nd World War.

The work of the Pro Landksron association

Since 1984, Landskron Castle has been maintained by theAssociation pour la Sauvegarde du Château du Landskron – Pro-Landskron, made up of French and Swiss volunteers. Their aim is twofold: to secure the ruins and to promote their history.

Several consolidation projects were carried out, notably on the keep and the walls. Archaeological digs have also been carried out on the site, enabling us to better understand its evolution, particularly its fortification phases in the modern era. Thanks to this in-depth work, the château is now partially restored and open to visitors, in a way that respects both its identity and its natural environment.

The association regularly organizes guided tours (in French or German) and events. I was lucky enough to come along by chance one day during the Fête médiévale, and it was really fun!

How do I get to the château?

There are several ways to get to Landskron Castle:

• The shortest way: from Leymen, take the road to the hamlet of Tannenwald, where you can park. Then follow the blue rectangle signs. Allow 15/20 minutes, and you’re at the top!
• By taking a nice walk: we recommend a circuit between Leymen and Mariastein in this article on hiking in the Alsatian Jura.
• By mountain bike: yes, you can also get up to the castle by bike! Mind you, you’ll need strong calves… Or opt for an electrically-assisted mountain bike, as it’s quite a climb! 😛
• On an itinerant hike: the Circuit des 3 Châteaux du Jura alsacien passes through the Landskron and is truly superb.

How to visit the castle

The château is open to visitors all year round. Once there, take time toexplore the different levels of the château, and of course admire the panoramic views. Several explanatory panels trace its history and provide keys to understanding the site.

It’s also a perfect spot for a picnic or a quiet break (there are often families settled in, by the way!), with beautiful light at the end of the day.

Ideas nearby

Don’t hesitate to combine with other activities in the Sundgau region and around Saint-Louis: water sports at East Park, a trip to the Petite Camargue Alsacienne, the Huningue Whitewater Park, a visit to the Fernet Branca Foundation or a tour of nearby Basel. Enough to easily fill a varied weekend!