Alsace Wine Route · Obernai & Northern Route

Mont Sainte-Odile Monastery

The Mont Sainte-Odile monastery sits on a rocky spur 764 metres above the Rhine plain, 12 km above Obernai.

About Mont Sainte-Odile Monastery

The Mont Sainte-Odile monastery sits on a rocky spur 764 metres above the Rhine plain, 12 km above Obernai. Saint Odile (born c. 662) is the patron saint of Alsace, and the monastery has been a pilgrimage site since the 7th century. The buildings today are a mix of Romanesque foundations and 17th-18th century reconstruction. The panoramic terrace on the eastern side of the monastery is the main attraction for non-pilgrims: on a clear day the view extends across the Rhine plain to the Black Forest in Germany, and on exceptional days you can see the Alps. Free entry to the monastery, the terrace, and the chapels. The Pagan Wall (Mur Paien), a mysterious 10 km stone wall circling the mountain, is possibly Celtic or Merovingian and is accessible by hiking trail from the monastery (1-3 hours depending on how far you walk). The monastery has a restaurant (basic French cafeteria food, EUR 12-18) and a gift shop selling religious items and Alsatian products.

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The place

Getting there

Address

Mont Sainte-Odile, 67530 Ottrott, France

Neighborhood

Obernai & Northern Route →

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Good to know

Tips, answered

Free entry. Drive from Obernai (20 min on a winding road) or from the wine route villages. The panoramic terrace is the reason to come - go on a clear morning for the best visibility. The Pagan Wall hiking trail is worthwhile if you have 1-2 extra hours. The restaurant is adequate but not a destination. Parking is free and usually available.

Plan for about 1h 30m. Morning visits are typically less crowded.

Mont Sainte-Odile Monastery is in the Obernai & Northern Route neighborhood of Alsace Wine Route. The address is Mont Sainte-Odile, 67530 Ottrott, France. The area is well-served by metro.

Yes, entry is free. There may be optional paid exhibits or activities, but the main experience costs nothing.

Morning visits, especially early, mean fewer crowds and better light for photos. Weekdays are significantly quieter than weekends.

Comfortable shoes are recommended. Parts are outdoors, so bring a light layer.

Around the corner

Nearby in Obernai & Northern Route

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Park & Garden

Mur Païen

The Mur Païen is a genuine archaeological mystery: 10 kilometers of massive stone blocks assembled without mortar, encircling Mont Sainte-Odile at 700 meters altitude. You'll see Cyclopean walls up to 3 meters high built from blocks weighing several tons each, fitted together using techniques that still puzzle experts. The Celtic origins date back over 2,000 years, making this one of Europe's most impressive prehistoric fortifications. The red rectangle trail takes you through dense beech forest where sections of ancient wall emerge dramatically from the undergrowth. At points like Porte de Barr, the stonework is so well-preserved you can run your hands along joints that haven't shifted in millennia. The forest opens periodically to reveal sweeping views across the Alsatian plain toward Strasbourg, with the Black Forest visible on clear days. Most visitors rush the loop in 2 hours and miss the wall's engineering marvels. Take 3.5 hours minimum to really examine the stone joints and appreciate the scale. The trail gets muddy after rain, so proper hiking boots are essential. Skip the overcrowded monastery itself and focus your time on the wall sections between Porte de Barr and the southern viewpoints.

3-4 hoursExplore

Cultural Site

Obernai Market Square and Ramparts

Obernai is the largest town on the northern section of the Route des Vins and has a proper town-scale presence that the smaller villages lack. The Place du Marche (market square) is one of the finest in Alsace: a large open square surrounded by half-timbered houses, the Renaissance Hotel de Ville (town hall, 1523), the Kapellturm (chapel tower, the tallest structure in town), and the Puits aux Six Seaux (the six-bucket well, 1579, an ornate Renaissance well-house in the middle of the square). The ramparts walk follows the old town walls through gardens and past medieval towers - a 30-minute circuit that gives a sense of the town's medieval extent. The weekly market on Place du Marche (Thursday mornings, 7 AM-noon) has local produce, Alsatian cheese, honey, and wine from nearby producers. Obernai is 25 minutes from Strasbourg by car or train and is where most people start or end the Route des Vins.

1-1.5 hoursExplore

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