Ever wonder where Louis XIV awaited his son’s bride? It happened right here in Fegersheim. Fegersheim is a French commune. It sits in the Bas-Rhin department. This is in the Grand Est region.
Fegersheim lies about 12 kilometers south of Strasbourg. It sits between the Andlau, Scheer and Ill rivers. This location has shaped its story.
Let’s step back in time. Imagine Celtic tribes inhabiting this very area. Tombs from the 3rd century BC prove it. Fegersheim’s urban status grew around the 11th century. The Benedictine monastery of Eschau held significant land here. Later, powerful families like the Ochsensteins, Hanau-Lichtenbergs and Rathsamhausens controlled Fegersheim. They were vassals of the Strasbourg bishopric until the French Revolution.
1680 was a special year for Fegersheim. King Louis XIV and his court arrived. Bishop Bossuet and Madame de Maintenon were among them. They awaited Marie Anne of Bavaria. She was to marry the Grand Dauphin. Five days of grand celebrations filled Fegersheim.
For ages, agriculture was Fegersheim’s lifeblood. Everything changed in 1933. The Cajofé toy factory arrived. This marked the start of industry in Fegersheim. The local council created one of France’s first industrial zones in 1962. This boosted local jobs and growth.
Fegersheim is known locally as “Feg”. Its residents are called Fegersheimois and Fegersheimoises. The town’s name has German roots. “Heim” means “home”. “Feger” might mean “sweeper” or a personal name like “Fagher”.
Fegersheim has many waterways. The Andlau, Ill, Scheer, Vieil Ergelsenbach and Petite Ill rivers all flow here. The Ill River is quite long at 217 km. It begins in Winkel and joins the Grand Canal d’Alsace. The Andlau is 42 km long. The Scheer stretches 40 km.
The climate here is semi-continental. Expect low rainfall especially in autumn and winter. Summers are warm and sunny.
Fegersheim is easily accessible. The RD 1083 road connects it to Strasbourg and Sélestat. Several highways are nearby.
Fegersheim has grown. Its population rose from 2,153 in 1962 to 5,769 in 2022. It is part of the Strasbourg metropolitan area.
The Saint-Maurice Church is a key landmark. The Chapel of Saint-Ulrich is another. It was once a pilgrimage site. People sought cures for eye problems at its nearby spring. Fegersheim also had a synagogue. Built in 1894, it was damaged during World War II and torn down in 1974.
Take note of the Dolmen de la Gastée. Also visit the castle bought in 1590 by Rudolf de Breitenlandenberg.
The auberge “Au Soleil d’Or” shows Fegersheim’s commitment to preserving its heritage. It is now a cultural center with a theater and media library.
Fegersheim cares about the environment. It started an eco-grazing program. It also stopped using pesticides in 2010. Local farms sell fresh products throughout the region.
Fegersheim is more than just a stop on the road. It’s a vibrant community. It blends history with modern life. Take a moment to appreciate its unique Alsatian charm.