Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The hotel-restaurant À la Cloche, located 90 rue du Général-Gouraud in Obernai (Bas-Rhin), is an emblematic building of the 4th quarter of the 19th century, listed as historical monuments since 1995. Its architecture combines a Gothic door inherited from an 18th-century inn and decorative elements typical of Alsace, such as murals and emblems of winemakers and coopers. The building illustrates the historical importance of wine-growing activities in the region, while integrating local artistic influences, as evidenced by the works of Charles Spindler and Léo Schnug dated 1896.

In 1895-1896 Charles Weissenburger, a winemaker and owner, commissioned Charles Spindler to decorate the dining room, now protected for its painted panels and its wall cycle. The facades, roofs and windows on the ground floor, as well as the monograms and artisanal symbols, reflect the Alsatian know-how of the time. The inscription to historical monuments specifically covers these elements, emphasizing their heritage value and their connection to the social and economic history of Obernai, marked by viticulture and handicrafts.

The protected elements include facades, roofs, windows, and especially the dining room decorated with frescoes, classified for its exceptional decorative ensemble. The building, still in operation, perpetuates a centuries-old hospital tradition, while offering a preserved example of Alsatian commercial architecture of the late 19th century. Its central location in Obernai, a city renowned for its medieval and wine heritage, reinforces its role as a witness to the urban and cultural evolution of the region.

External links