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Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines

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City
—°1069
Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines (France)
ℹ️

Practical info — Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines

🌤 Weather — 5 days

📍 Nearby

Sights nearby

💡 Tips

  • If visiting during the June Mineral & Gem show, book your accommodation months in advance.
  • The silver mines are very cold underground (around 10°C); bring a warm jacket even in summer.
  • A car is good for exploring the Val d'Argent, as public transport between mining sites is limited.
  • Follow the textile heritage trails to discover the town's historic weavers' houses.

🍽 Food

🍽
Tourte de la Vallée d'Argent

Find this hearty meat pie at the traditional bakeries in town.

🍽
Munster Cheese

Try this pungent local cheese at the rustic mountain inns (Fermes-Auberges) nearby.

🍽
Tarte aux Myrtilles

The classic blueberry tart of the Vosges, best enjoyed at a mountain refuge.

🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots

🛍
Minerals & Gemstones

Numerous specialized shops in the center offer geological treasures from the region.

🛍
Local Fabrics

Look for local linen or patchwork fabrics as a souvenir of the area's rich textile history.

🧘
Parc de la Villa Burrus

A quiet, publicly accessible botanical park with rich historical heritage.

🧘
Col de Sainte-Marie

Drive up to this mountain pass for quiet forest trails and old border history.

Highlights of 2026

10

Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines is positioned in the heart of the Vosges mountains in Alsace and has a fascinating legacy as one of Europe's premier mining centers. Since the 10th century, the extraction of silver, copper, and lead defined the region, earning it the moniker 'Val d'Argent' (Silver Valley). The town's unique history includes a period of being split between the Duchy of Lorraine and the Lords of Ribeaupierre, leading to a rich cultural tapestry where Catholics, Protestants, and Anabaptists, including the ancestors of the Amish, lived side by side. Following the decline of mining, the town reinvented itself as a major textile hub, particularly renowned for high-quality fabrics. Today, it is globally recognized as the host of 'Mineral & Gem', one of the world's largest trade fairs for minerals and gemstones. The town's architecture features a mix of traditional Alsatian houses, grand mansions, and historic factory buildings. Surrounded by the dense forests of the Vosges, it is a starting point for numerous trails, offering both a deep dive into industrial history and a gateway to pristine mountain nature.

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Avg °C014913171818141041
Rain mm786369609483788567847890

Live webcam – Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines

See what it looks like near Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines right now.

Sainte-Croix-aux-Mines › East · 3.3 km · Open webcam on Windy · Webcams provided by Windy.com

Geography

Population
6,189
Coordinates
48.24670, 7.18390

Facts

  • Postal code: 68160
  • Cultural fact: Cradle of the Amish movement
  • Elevation: 326 to 1210 meters
  • Area: 45.23 sq km
  • Home to the Tellure Mining Park
  • Over 30,000 visitors for the Mineral Fair

Explore nearby

Notable places around

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

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© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService

Sights in the town Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines (6)

Église Saint-Louis⛪ religious

A splendid Baroque church reflecting the rich religious heritage of the mining town in the Val d'Argent.

Théâtre Municipal🎭 culture

A historical Italian-style building that has marked the cultural life of the city since the 19th century.

Tour des Mineurs🏺 historical

A distinctive tower that recalls the importance of the mining craft in this Alsatian region.

Temple Réformé⛪ religious

An important religious building witnessing the Protestant history and diversity of the Val d'Argent.

Château d'Échéry🏰 castle

Château d'Échéry is a notable historic castle located in Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines.

Chapelle Saint-Blaise⛪ religious

Chapelle Saint-Blaise is a local place of worship situated in Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines.

Frequently asked questions

Can you visit the mines?
Yes, the Tellure Park features guided tours into historical silver mines such as Saint-Louis Eisenthür.
When is the mineral show?
The world-famous 'Mineral & Gem' show takes place every year in late June, attracting collectors from across the globe.
What is the Patchwork meeting?
The 'European Patchwork Meeting' in September is one of the most important textile art events in Europe.
In which region is the city located?
It is located in the heart of the Vosges mountains, in the Val d'Argent (Silver Valley), in Alsace.
Is there typical Alsatian food?
Yes, in the local Winstubs you can find Flammekueche, Baeckeoffe, and sauerkraut, served with local white wines.
Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines: where is it located?
Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines is located in Grand Est, France.
Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines: what is there to see?
Highlights include Église Saint-Louis, Théâtre Municipal, Tour des Mineurs.
Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Aug.
Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines: why is it worth visiting?
Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines is positioned in the heart of the Vosges mountains in Alsace and has a fascinating legacy as one of Europe's premier mining centers.
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