Notre-Dame de Dusenbach Chapel

Clinging to the wooded slopes of the Vosges above Ribeauvillé, the Notre-Dame de Dusenbach Chapel is an Alsatian Marian pilgrimage site that has been active since the Middle Ages. Perched in an enclosed valley, it comprises two distinct buildings connected by a staircase carved into the rock. The forest setting, the silence, and the popular devotion that persists here make it a site that is both spiritual and natural, far removed from the bustle of the town center.

Practical information at a glance

• Access: from Ribeauvillé, marked hiking trail from the town center (approximately 45 minutes on foot) or partial forest road.
• Entry: free; chapel open to visitors and pilgrims.
• Recommended duration: 1.5 to 2 hours, including the uphill and downhill walk.
• Dress code: respectful attire recommended inside the chapels.
• Footwear: hiking shoes advised for the trail.

What to see there

The site comprises two stacked chapels: the lower chapel, the older one, carved directly into the rock, and the upper chapel dedicated to the Virgin Mary. An external staircase carved into the rock face connects the two levels. The interior preserves votive offerings, Marian statues, and an intact atmosphere of popular devotion. Around it, the Vosges forest envelops the valley with beech and fir trees.

History and context

The Dusenbach pilgrimage dates back to the 13th century. The site was founded by the lords of Ribeaupierre, a powerful Alsatian family whose castle still dominates the town. Destroyed and rebuilt several times—notably after the Thirty Years' War—the sanctuary has always been restored through local devotion. Franciscans long maintained its upkeep. Today, it remains one of Alsace's oldest Marian pilgrimage sites.

Highlights of the visit

The staircase in the rock

The climb between the two chapels via the staircase carved directly into the rock face is one of the site's most singular passages. Narrow and steep, it gives a tangible sense of the effort medieval pilgrims undertook.

The lower chapel and its votive offerings

The lower chapel, semi-troglodytic in nature, houses a collection of votive offerings testifying to centuries of popular devotion. Plaques, paintings, and votive objects line the walls, forming a living document of Alsatian faith.

The forested valley

The access path runs alongside a stream through dense forest. Outside the pilgrimage season, total calm prevails. In spring, the vegetation and sound of water make the climb a pleasant walk in itself.

Etiquette and visiting rules

• Respectful silence inside the chapels, an active place of worship.
• Covered, modest attire recommended.
• Avoid loud visits during services or pilgrimages.
• Official pilgrimages (particularly in May and September) attract many faithful: expect busier access on those days.

Photography tips

Light filtered through the forest is most beautiful in the morning. The staircase in the rock offers an original framing between stone and vegetation. Photography is possible inside the chapels but should remain discreet; avoid flash out of respect for worshippers.

Location and access

Dusenbach is located in the valley of the same name, east of Ribeauvillé, in Alsace (Haut-Rhin). Ribeauvillé is accessible from Colmar (approximately 15 km to the south) via the Wine Route. From Ribeauvillé town center, a marked trail leads to the sanctuary. A forest road allows you to reduce part of the walk, but the final section remains on foot. No wheelchair access to the sanctuary itself due to the steep terrain.

Nearby attractions

• Saint-Ulrich Castle — medieval ruins overlooking Ribeauvillé, accessible on foot from the town.
• Ribeauvillé — old Alsatian town with timber-framed houses, fountains, and a lively Grand'Rue.
• Riquewihr — fortified medieval village, one of the best preserved on the Wine Route, a few kilometers to the south.
• Alsace Wine Route — wine route linking Ribeauvillé to dozens of villages and estates between the Vosges and the Rhine plain.