Maison de l'histoire et des traditions de la Haute-Moder
Bernese house dating from 1669 in Wimmenau, with a museum of old crafts, a former oil mill and an old forge; visits by appointment.
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About the museum
The Scherer house, known as the “maison suisse” (Swiss house), was built in 1669 by Bernese settlers brought in to repopulate Alsace after the Thirty Years' War. It follows the Renaissance style of the Bernese Oberland and was remodelled in 1718 and again in 1800. When it was built, only the church's bell tower remained of the village.
The Association pour la Protection du Patrimoine, founded in 1984, maintains the house and collects objects from rural life in the northern Vosges. The restoration respected the archaeological finds: door and window surrounds in dark-painted sandstone, half-timbering tinted grey with black lines around the infill. A distinctive feature of the house is an internal partition that divides it in two lengthwise.
The complex also includes an oil mill and the village's old forge. The museum displays tools from many trades (farmer, baker, shoemaker, clog-maker, woodcutter), furniture and everyday objects from the early 20th century. The guided tour devotes a large part to the history of Wimmenau.
Highlights
- Swiss house of 1669 in Bernese Renaissance style
- Oil mill
- Old village forge
- Tools of past trades and furniture from the early 20th century
- Guided tour on the history of Wimmenau
Permanent exhibitions
- Maison Suisse (1669) – House in Bernese Renaissance style, restored according to the archaeological findings, with an internal partition dividing it in two.
- Musée des métiers d'autrefois – Tools of the farmer, baker, shoemaker, clog-maker and woodcutter, furniture and everyday objects from the early 20th century.
- Operated by
- Association pour la Protection du Patrimoine de Wimmenau
Admission & discounts
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Accessibility
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Kids & families
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Getting there & parking
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Amenities & dining
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Events & venue rental
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Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Guided tours for groups by reservation; according to the tourist information listing, French is the only language spoken. |
