Altwiller (; ) is a commune in the Bas-Rhin department in the Grand Est region of northeastern France.

Geography Altwiller is located some 20 km south of Sarreguemines on the German border and some 50 km north-east of Nancy. The commune is accessed by the D23 road running east from Vibersviller to the village then continuing east to Harskirchen. The D153 road also runs through the southern portion of the commune as it runs from the D39 road in the south-west north-east to Harskirchen. The western and northern borders of the commune are also the borders between the Bas-Rhin and Moselle departments. As well as Altwiller village there is also the hamlet of Chateau Bonnefontaine in the south of the commune.Google Maps

The Canal des Houllietes de la Satre passes along the southern border of the commune. The Rose stream passes near the village flowing west from Moselle to the Albe river partly forming the northern border of the commune. The northern part of the commune is farmland while the southern part is mainly forested.

Neighbouring communes and villages

History Fragments of vases and other Gallo-Roman pieces have been found at Bonnefontaine. The site is located on the salt route. In addition to the two annexes of Neuweyershof and the Bonnefontaine domain the village had in its vicinity a hamlet called Honkesen-Huntzen which has now disappeared.

Altwiller was deserted in the 15th century and rebuilt a little later in 1559 mainly by Huguenots from Lorraine. It was partially destroyed again in 1635 by the Croatians then became the property of Sarrewerden then of Nassau-Saarbrücken with the capital of the Bailiwick of Harskirchen. The village returned to France in 1793.

Heraldry

Administration List of Successive Mayors of AltwillerList of Mayors of France

From To Name Party Position 1989 2001 Arthur Scwartz Brigadier-General, Legion of Honour, Commander of National Order of Merit 2001 2008 Gilbert Schmidt 2008 2014 Alain Lieb 2014 2026 Aimé Schreiner

Demography The inhabitants of the commune are known as Altwillerois or Altwilleroises in French.Le nom des habitants du 67 - Bas-Rhin, habitants.fr

Culture and heritage

Civil heritage The commune has many buildings and structures that are registered as historical monuments:

A House at Bonnefontaine (1908)Ministry of Culture, Mérimée A Farmhouse at Bonnefontaine (18th century)Ministry of Culture, Mérimée A Farmhouse at Neuweyerhof (1) (1761)Ministry of Culture, Mérimée A Farmhouse at Neuweyerhof (2) (1761)Ministry of Culture, Mérimée A Farmhouse at 63 Rue des Lilas (1850)Ministry of Culture, Mérimée A Farmhouse at 103 Rue Principale (1900)Ministry of Culture, Mérimée A Farmhouse at 107 Rue Principale (1776)Ministry of Culture, Mérimée A Farmhouse at 112 Rue Principale (1848)Ministry of Culture, Mérimée A Farmhouse at 113 Rue Principale (18th century)Ministry of Culture, Mérimée A Farmhouse at 114 Rue Principale (1813)Ministry of Culture, Mérimée A Farmhouse at 5 Rue Principale (1776)Ministry of Culture, Mérimée A Flour Mill at 51 Rue Principale (1724).Ministry of Culture, Mérimée From the end of the 17th to the 20th century the mill was run by a single family of millers. A House and Shop at 88 Rue Principale (1934)Ministry of Culture, Mérimée A Farmhouse at 89 Rue Principale (1838)Ministry of Culture, Mérimée A School at 93 Rue Principale (1843)Ministry of Culture, Mérimée A Farmhouse at 20 Rue de la Rose (1826)Ministry of Culture, Mérimée A Farmhouse at 22 Rue de la Rose (18th century)Ministry of Culture, Mérimée A Farmhouse at 26 Rue de la Rose (1862)Ministry of Culture, Mérimée A Farmhouse at 31 Rue de la Rose (1898)Ministry of Culture, Mérimée A Farmhouse at 36 Rue de la Rose (1875)Ministry of Culture, Mérimée A Farmhouse at 41 Rue de la Rose (1909)Ministry of Culture, Mérimée A Carpenter's House at 43 Rue de la Rose (1775)Ministry of Culture, Mérimée The Domain of Bonnefontaine at Bonnefontaine (19th century)Ministry of Culture, Mérimée The Chateau of Bonnefontaine (1818).Ministry of Culture, Mérimée The mineral water spring discovered in 1603 was appetizing, diuretic and purgative. This gave the idea in 1816 to a banker from Basel to build a thermal spa with castle, park and dance hall. The castle was built between 1818 and 1822 but the operation ended in failure due to lack of customers. He sold the estate in 1836. The latest occupants of the castle are the Schlumberger family - owners since 1878. The Chateau of Bonnefontaine Park (1818)Ministry of Culture, Mérimée The Canal des Houillères Lock 16 (19th century)Ministry of Culture, Mérimée A School at Neuweyerhof (19th century)Ministry of Culture, Mérimée Houses and FarmsMinistry of Culture, Mérimée

Religious heritage The commune has several religious buildings and structures that are registered as historical monuments: The Protestant Church (1723).Ministry of Culture, Mérimée There are several items in the church that are registered as historical objects: The Organ (1868)Ministry of Culture, Palissy The Furniture in the ChurchMinistry of Culture, Palissy A Communion Ewer (18th century)Ministry of Culture, Palissy A Baptismal Ewer (1894)Ministry of Culture, Palissy The Protestant Presbytery (1730)Ministry of Culture, Mérimée The Lutheran Presbytery (16th century)Ministry of Culture, Mérimée The Cemetery at RD 23. (19th century)Ministry of Culture, Mérimée The movable items in the cemetery are registered as historical objects.Ministry of Culture, Palissy

See also Communes of the Bas-Rhin department

References

External links Altwiller on the old National Geographic Institute website Altwiller on Géoportail, National Geographic Institute (IGN) website Aiweiller on the 1750 Cassini Map