Porte Haute and other Boersch, France Things to Do Tips

When driving from Obernai, you pass first the Porte Haute (Higher Gate), built in the 15th and 16th to come into Bœrsch. It is decorated with a painting of Saint Médard (second photo), the patron of the city, with the inscription « Ste Medarde Ora pro nobis ». (Saint Medard, pray for us). This painting was added in 1908, together with the coat of arms of the city (below), two white fishes on a blue background.

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The ancient "lavoir" (washing board) is a small building opened on three sides with water running across. The board was still there but do not expect to see anymore anybody using it ! Moreover, as the stream was obviously overflowing, it would not have been possible to use it but luckily, that made a huge drinking bowl for our thirsty little dog !

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The Hôtel de Ville (city Hall) stands on the central square, Place de l’Hôtel de Ville, of course. It is a superb two levels Renaissance building from the 16th with a turret in the middle, built in 1572, hosting a spiral staircase and on the right a two levels oriel window built in 1615.

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In front of the Hôtel-de-Ville, stands a superb half-timbered house which host “La Poste” (Post Office). In the 17th, it was the « poële » of the city council, which means the place where the city council had its meetings. Though I have not found this clearly, it seems that it was the previous Town Hall.

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By the side of the Hôtel-de-Ville and at the entrance into the square, stands a 6 buckets well built in 1617 in Renaissance style. The well is now sealed but the pulleys and buckets have been kept on display. Actually, though it is named a six buckets well, there are 3 pulleys and 3 buckets. Each pulley holds two buckets, one at each end of the chain, which means that three other buckets are (or are supposed to be) at the bottom of the well.

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When leaving Bœrsch in the direction of Rosheim, you must pass under another city gate, the Porte Basse (Lower Gate). It was built in the 15th and 16th at the same time than the Porte Haute and looks almost alike.
I have read that the Porte Basse had a statue of the Virgin Mary. I have not seen it. I suppose it is inside..

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