Gertwiller capital of gingerbread

Gertwiller, a charming little wine-growing village, is situated at the foot of theMont Sainte Odile, between the plain and the hillside vineyards.

The village, through which an important road runs, was a traditional stopping place for travellers and transporters. The post house and a number of inns and a superb sign at the "Relais des deux clefs" ('Two keys coaching inn) still subsist.

Gertwiller is an old empire village certified since 1160 and which belonged to Strasbourg from 1568 to the Revolution.

The origin of the village's name comes from the German " Gerte " which means 'willow trees' (represented in the coat of arms).

The know-how and the concentration of confectioner-bakers in this locality have contributed to making the pain d'épices (gingerbread) one of the cultural and gastronomic specialities of Alsace (see the gingerbread Museum, the 'Musée du Pain d'Epices et des Douceurs d'autrefois'). Two local companies still produce gingerbread.

Gewurztraminer, ambassador of the Alsatian wines, is the town's flagship wine, its soil of origin for its selection at the beginning of the century.

See : Saint Barthelemy's Church