Schiltigheim

What secrets does a name like Schiltigheim hold? Schiltigheim, nestled on the outskirts of Strasbourg, is more than just a suburb. It’s a town steeped in history, brimming with Alsatian traditions, and surprisingly, a hub of modern innovation. Schiltigheim’s story begins in the 9th century with a warrior named Sciltung. He built his castle here, and a small hamlet sprung up around it. Later, the Bothebür chapel was added. This makes Sciltung the first resident of Schiltigheim. The town eventually merged with the neighboring village of Adelshoffen in 1683. Schiltigheim is known as the “city of brewers”. Several breweries established themselves here between the 18th and 19th centuries. They included Fischer, Adelschoffen, Perle, de la Patrie (Schutzenberger), and l’Espérance. They came to Schiltigheim for more space to perfect their brewing. This made Schiltigheim one of the most renowned brewing centers in France. Its golden age ended with Heineken’s arrival in 1972. Heineken gradually absorbed the other breweries. Today, only one brewery remains from that era, while the others are abandoned or gone. Sadly, even this last brewery announced its closure by 2026. But don’t worry, there’s still beer in Schiltigheim. Tucked away in the Villa Weber, you’ll find the small craft brewery, Storig. Storig brews beer following regional traditions but with a unique, innovative twist. Right next door is the Brasserie Michel Debus, a restaurant serving traditional Alsatian fare. Enjoy flammekueche, charcuterie, and melt-in-your-mouth meats in their Bierstub and Stammtisch. In the summer, their vast Biergarten is the perfect place to enjoy a cool beer in the sun. Schiltigheim boasts its own Olympic-sized swimming pool at the Centre Nautique. It hosted the European Swimming Championships in 1987 and the French Swimming Championships in 2011 and 2017. After a refreshing dip, take a stroll through the Parc du Château. This park surrounds the site of Sciltung’s original castle, which was destroyed in 1676. The park is also home to the beautiful Villa Wenger-Valentin. Built in 1882 by Strasbourg architects Albert Brion and Gottfried Julius Berninger, this neo-Renaissance villa now houses the Maison des Associations. Schiltigheim was once home to the Pixel Museum, a unique museum dedicated to the history of video games. This innovative project existed here from 2017 to 2020 before moving to Brussels. Today, Schiltigheim is home to the Espace Européen de l’Entreprise (EEE). This 96-hectare business park, created in 1994, houses around 600 national and international companies focused on new technologies and services. The EEE also boasts a campus housing the IUT Pasteur, the European School of Chemistry, Polymers and Materials, and the CNRS. It is a thriving hub of innovation and daily life, complete with restaurants, hotels, medical services, daycare centers, and shops. For a sweet treat or local market produce, visit the Halles du Scilt. This renovated 700m² space is a hub for commerce and culture. Buy fresh fish, cheese, and vegetables on the ground floor or enjoy a coffee. Upstairs, relax with an exhibition or enjoy one of the many gastronomic, artistic, or cultural festivals. Schiltigheim offers a captivating blend of old and new. It has fascinating history, rich traditions, and modern innovation. Come and explore this charming suburb. Discover its many vibrant attractions. You won’t be disappointed.