Ferrette, a town of character at the foot of its castle
If I only had one day to discover the SundgauI would start by Ferrette, a small town with character where children and adults love to scramble around, especially to reach its castle.
Ferrette is unique: the town was built at the foot of this now-ruined fortress. The site is truly worth a visit, if only for the splendid panorama which it offers at an altitude of 612 m.
visit Ferrette castle This isn't a visit to one castle, but two, as it actually consisted of two separate fortifications. Besides the castle itself, the town at its foot is well worth exploring, particularly its...listed town hall which recently opened a small museum and'church dedicated to Saint Bernard of Menthon', Patron Saint of mountain people, because yes, Ferrette is the capital of the Alsatian Jura, the only small mountain range in the Sundgau and a curiosity in the Alsatian landscape.
The Rossberg tower: a 360° view of the Alsatian Jura
If the view from the castle isn't enough for you, I recommend continuing on to the Rossberg tour, which sits enthroned atop the eponymous mountain.
This 20m high metal tower offers a 360 ° panorama for those who brave vertigo.
The Dwarfs' Cave: Legends and Natural Cliffs
Ferrette cannot be left without having seen the cave of the dwarves where a famous legend is told that I tell and retell endlessly to my daughter not without a certain pleasure. Beyond the small crevice serving as a natural theater for our story, the site is visited more for its natural cliffs almost incongruous in this place. They are also accessible in complete safety and there again a very beautiful viewpoint awaits the visitor.
Local beers, cheeses and fine dining
If you're visiting Ferrette on a Saturday, don't leave the county town without enjoying a beer or two at RadwulfThe local brewer creates countless beers according to the seasons in a very pleasant setting. You can, of course, leave with a few beers in your bag!
If it's time to eat, I would go either to Cheval Blanc de Ferrette, either toHotel Restaurant Chez Collin. These are two family-run restaurants where you can eat well, with simple and authentic cuisine. They have a strong connection to Ferrette. If the weather is nice and you'd prefer a picnic, then I'd recommend a visit to the most famous cheese shop in the area. Master AntonyThis shop will take you on a journey across France with its carefully curated selection of cheeses, accompanied by good country bread and, of course, a fine bottle of red wine. This quintessentially French trio will be yours!
Oltingue: Merovingian history and rural charm
After Ferrette, I would take the road towards of Oltingue which houses a rather mysterious church, lost in a bucolic, rural setting. Inside, you will discover... exhumed Merovingian tombs during excavations carried out in the late 1980s. What makes this church unique is that the tombs remained intact, open, with the skeletons still visible!
At its heart, besides beautiful 13th-century frescoes, a rope escapes from the roof... ask the children to pull on it! They will be frightened when the tension sounds the death knell!
Depending on the season and the day, a quick trip to Farmer's Museum It's a must-see in the center of Oltingue! For three francs six sous (actually €2,5), you'll discover the peasant life of yesteryear so characteristic of our beloved Sundgau.
Landskron Castle: views of the Jura Mountains and Basel
After OltingueI would go to Landskron castle, above the valley of LementalThis is the best preserved of the three buildings in the Alsatian Jura. Here again, you will have to climb a few steps to access a breathtaking view of the Alsatian Jura and the city of Basel.
