FRANCAIS
Située sur la Route des vins d'Alsace, Molsheim est une ancienne cité épiscopale et universitaire, riche en patrimoine bâti de tous les styles : maisons médiévales à colombages, bâtiment Renaissance et édifices religieux.
Après la Révolution française, la ville se métamorphose en ville artisanale et industrielle. Elle accueille, entre autres, un jeune visionnaire, concepteur automobile, Ettore Bugatti.
Sa proximité de Strasbourg offre aux visiteurs un point de chute idéal pour découvrir toutes les richesses de l'Alsace : Mont Sainte-Odile, cascade du Nideck, caves viticoles et restaurants traditionnels.
Ce parcours est l'occasion de parcourir la ville historique et d'y découvrir ce que beaucoup ignore.
ENGLISH
Located on the Alsace Wine Route, Molsheim is a former Episcopal City as well as a university town, with a rich and diverse built heritage: medieval half-timbered houses, Renaissance style buildings and churches.
After the French Revolution, the town was turned into a place of craftsmanship and industry. It became home to many people, and most notably a young visionary car designer: Ettore Bugatti.
Since it is so close to Strasbourg, Molsheim is the ideal starting point for visitors who want to explore some of the region's best assets: the Mont Sainte-Odile or the Nideck Waterfall, not to mention several wine cellars or traditional restaurants.
This tour is an excellent opportunity to explore the medieval town and discover things many people ignore.
> IND1 - Ruelle Saint Martin
Look up at the corbel, near the first floor of the building, at the corner of the Rue Saint Martin.
Who watches over the square and the passersby ? A
- A character = 5 - A lion = 4 - A stork = 3
> IND2 - Rue des étudiants
At the corner of the Rue Saint Martin and the Rue des Etudiants, what can be seen above the Pietà ? B
- A cherub = 1 - Christ on the cross = 2 - A bear = 0
NB: A Pietà, or Our Lady of Piety, is a representation of the Virgin Mary as the Mater Dolorosa (Latin expression): a mother mourning her son, lying across her knees.
> IND3 - L'ancienne Dîme
Take a right on the Rue des Etudiants and, at the end of the street, go left towards the marketplace.
On your left, at the corner of the former tithe barn, how many characters do you see depicted ? C
> IND4 - La Chartreuse
Follow the alley to the left of the building. At the end of the alley, take a right towards the parking lot.
NB : You are now at the south end of the charterhouse cloister. Driven away from Strasbourg-Koenigshoffen, the Carthusian monks fled to Molsheim where they founded a monastery in 1598, inhabited until 1792. Since 1985, the former Priory houses the Charterhouse Museum and the Bugatti Foundation.
What date is written next to (2 meters) the Statue of Christ (use the last digit) ? D
> IND5 - Maison canoniale
At the end of the parking lot (to the North-east), take a left on the Rue de la Chartreuse, towards the "Cour des Chartreux". Watch out for vehicles. You can see the former convent of the Carthusians from another angle. To access the Charterhouse Museum and the Bugatti Foundation, go through the Priory. You will notice the wonderful sundial on the front wall of the local hospital.
Take a left towards the Rue Jenner.
Stop at the Chapter House, next to the porch (to the right of the oriel window).
NB : This canonry house was built at the same time as the semi-detached house (around 1628). Do not hesitate to enter the courtyard (open from July 2 to September 2, from 10 am to 6 pm).
How many characters have been carved in the stone archway ? E
> IND6 - Maison des soeurs
Go down the street towards the town square, to reach the Rue de l'Eglise, opposite to the Metzig nearby.
Check the blue house's gable wall.
Where is the hidden face watching the street ? F
- On the first floor = 5 - On the second floor = 1 - On top = 9
NB : This house from the late 18th century was home to a school for girls, as well as the birthplace of the Sisters of Divine Providence from Ribeauvillé. The gable wall is from the Renaissance period.
> IND7 - Centre socio-culturel
At the end of the street, take the alley of the "Petite Sorbonne", under the socio-cultural center. You are now in the Parc des Jésuites.
What is the motif carved between the two windows, on the sandstone wall of the socio-cultural center ? G
- A heart = 2 - A face = 6 - A bottle = 5
> IND8 - Mont des Oliviers
Leave the Parc des Jésuites through the other passage on the right, under the socio-cultural center and take the Rue Notre-Dame on your right to pass in front of the Chapelle Notre-Dame. You will reach the Eglise des Jésuites, one of the largest churches in Alsace, built in only 2 years and 9 months (1615-1617).
Look at the sculpture of Christ on the Mount of Olives.
What is the item two of the three characters on the foreground both possess ? H
- A sword = 5 - A book = 3 - A crown = 0
> IND9 - Rue de la boucherie
Reach the Hôtel de la Monnaie, a bit further down the passage behind you and you will find the Rue de la Boucherie, with house N°34 (not visible from the front side) at the end.
NB : This house was built in 1657 but was reshaped by Hans Jacob Vogelweidt, a butcher who put a crest symbolizing his profession on the timber-framing below two richly decorated windows, on the first floor. What date do you see on this decorative wall (above the ox head)? 17i4
> IND10 - Hôtel de ville
Go down the Rue de la Boucherie and retrace your steps, going around the Metzig (Renaissance style building).
NB : The current town hall is from 1832. The openings on the ground floor were used for the former indoor market and the frescoes on its front wall were made by Roland Perret, a native son of Alsace.
What do you see between the 2 women, on top of the town hall ? J
- A clock = 1 - An identification card = 8 - A man = 7
> Final coordinates
You are looking for a small container, using the Coordinates below (about 300 m from the town hall, as the crow flies).
If you want a little hint: take the Rue Liebermann to discover other hidden secrets in Molsheim.
48° 32.(A-B) (F-C) (G+H)
07° 29.(E-J) I (D-H)