Office de Tourisme de la Vallée de Munster
Office de Tourisme de la Vallée de Munster
The Munster Valley is the first rural area to offer this initiative; find out about the differences with the greeters of the Munster Valley!
So if you too would like to share your passion, your Valley, ask at the tourist office on 03.89.77.31.80 or by email at contact@vallee-munster.eu
The Greeters of the Munster Valley are inhabitants of the valley, native or adopted, who want to show off THEIR valley.
Each greeter must be motivated, open, sociable and enjoy human contact. He agrees to give at least half a day per month to share his passion, in places that are close to his heart. The themes of the diverse and varied walks (shopping- gastronomy- sport- history, …) are supports for meetings. The human experience, the exchange remains essential. THE GREETER IS NOT A GUIDE, the visit is each time unique in line with the desires of the client.
Speaking a foreign language is not mandatory but is a definite advantage. The only requirement is to be 18 years or older (however minors can accompany a greeter on the tour)
Greeters welcome everyone without discrimination of race, color, religion, age, sexual orientation, marital status or disability, during their free time.
Greeters welcome “the whole world”. This type of service is aimed at families, groups of friends, couples, individuals, business trips, etc.
However, the group cannot exceed 6 people and must include at least one person over 18 years old.
Chaque balade est taillée sur mesure, en fonction du visiteur, du greeter, de la météo,…
Le greeter peut accueillir le ou les visiteur(s) seul ou avec une personne de son choix (en fonction du ou des visiteur(s). Par exemple si le visiteur est en famille la balade peut se faire en famille.
La visite dure en moyenne 2h mais peux être rallongé si les deux sont d’accord.
La visite doit se passer dans un lieu public.
Pour la mise en avant des greeters, nous vous demandons de porter le badge des greeters lors de vos visites ou des actions entant que greeter.
Si des dépenses sont engagées (ticket de transport – entrée de site – consommation – …) chaque personne paye pour ses propres dépenses. Le greeter n’a aucune obligation de payer pour le visiteur et vice versa.
Le ou les visiteurs sont avertis des règles et s’engagent à les respecter (Retard important non justifié, manque de respect, non intérêt,…), le Greeter est dégagé de son engagement d’accueil.
LA RENCONTRE EST ENTIEREMENT GRATUITE POUR LE VISITEUR, LE GREETER NE DOIT ACCEPTER AUCUN POURBOIRE OU RETRIBUTION.
The visitor acknowledges having acknowledged that the meeting is free and cannot hold the Munster Valley Tourist Office or the Greeters – Munster Valley liable in the event of a dispute or for any failure not resulting from the actions of the Munster Valley Tourist Office or the Greeters – Munster Valley.
"A vital need to act, to share..." Communication is second nature to this man, a 66-year-old retiree, jovial and unfussy. Philippe Heck came to settle with his wife four years ago on the road to Stosswihr in the "blue house backed by the hill" as Maxime Leforestier sings with talent. "I've done a bit of everything in terms of jobs, but I have a vocational certificate as a Rhine boatman to start with" laughs Philippe, who continues "but with my wife we ran a restaurant in Wolfgantzen near the Rhine for 25 years. And five years in Colmar. It was a bit of chance that brought me here". "Why become a greeter in the valley"? "I love nature, I love people and contact. That’s why I also have two guest rooms where I offer walks in the surrounding area, or for bikers, trips into the mountains with my 1250 cc Suzuki Bandit! I bought myself booklet no. 2 of the Vosges Club trails, which will now be my vade-mecum.” As soon as he arrived in Stosswihr, he registered at the town hall and immediately joined the village festival committee, where he became a member of the executive! That’s Philippe Heck. A vital need to act and share with his contemporaries. So, I can’t wait for tourists to call on him!
Jeannette Schickel's smile is contagious! As a little girl, she helped out her parents who ran the Eschbach-au-Val inn-bistro. For her, welcoming people is second nature. Already professionally, she went from being an accountant to a childcare worker before taking care of her two children and all those in the neighborhood. In addition to being a member of all the village associations, her great work, her passion is the transmission of the Alsatian dialect. This is why she has been giving Alsatian lessons to children for twelve years and to adults for nine years! With success, needless to say? Her charming "home" allows her to appreciate the nearby mountains. Jeannette, whom everyone familiarly calls "Jeannala", looks after a nearby gîte whose guests have a singular opportunity: they become friends to whom she introduces, how could it be otherwise, the innumerable charms of the valley and Alsace. With the house cat as an attentive and hieratic observer!
Responsible for several departments in the East of a maintenance company, Eric Babilon knows what it's like to "walk miles". So, to clear his brain and bronchial tubes, as soon as he's back in Munster, he climbs the ridges to go see "his" chamois! Most often on approach, with his camera, he tries to capture these ungulates in their slightest expressions. The result is not lacking in allure to see the large format prints of these endearing animals that he wants to share with as many people as possible on the occasion of upcoming exhibitions. But also of course "in vivo" by taking tourists with him. But shh, and above all without noise! Another passion is History with a capital H. Originally from Niederbronn-les-Bains in the Bas-Rhin, he had plenty of time to cultivate his historical classics, of course Froeschwiller where the Battle of Reichshoffen took place, or the nearby Maginot Line forts. Great-great-great-grandson of a soldier from the Napoleonic Wars, Eric Babilon also knows the sites of Linge and Reichackerkopf like the back of his hand, which he can show to passing tourists at any time. For this reason, when he discovered that the Munster Valley Tourist Office had created a Greeters team, he decided to get involved with enthusiasm in a spirit of sharing and meeting interested and interesting people.
You have to see the pride of Michel Miclo, 66, manager of the Schnepfenried ski resort when he takes you to the "holy of holies" of the resort, the garage for snow groomers and other snowmobiles. Talkative, he is the guardian of the temple who, through courage, willpower and tenacity, has succeeded in the challenge of holding on to give "pep" back to the "Schnepf" where climatic hazards were a constant concern in the past. Thanks to the help of the Department, the Mixed Syndicate for the Development of Mountain Resorts in the Munster Valley, massive investments - snow cannons and modern equipment - now allow us to count on at least decent winter seasons no matter what. A farmer when he started out, he knows a thing or two about the nature of the Vosges. A truck and coach driver, he was able to combine his passion for mechanics with that of the 13 ski slopes and five ski lifts in winter, which now enjoy enviable attendance. He is the manager of the resort, assisted by his wife and daughter Sandrine, the three "pillars" in summer, whose workforce increases to around thirty in winter! But enough of speeches: he is happy when he can dissect his resort for you with... passion! ( www.leschnepf.com) Language: French-German
In her Thebaid on the heights of Munster, Anne Thiebold has a front row seat to enjoy the calm of the nearby forest where her three "Parson-Russels" Dakah, Fargo and Fiesta frolic freely and are kings! The proverb that says "who loves animals loves people" applies perfectly to Anne, restaurateur of the Wasen in Munster, experienced in welcoming. She is already looking forward to being able to show the valley to future visitors. Anne Thiebold takes one or two hours every day to "clear her head" in the company of her three boisterous but obedient companions and knows a thing or two about dogs, regularly taking hers to agility competitions! If we have to talk about passion, it is indeed the case but Anne Thiebold, in the role of a greeter will be precious: she knows so many paths, trails, sites in the whole valley that she will be able to guide whoever wants it, according to her availability of course. Language: French – German
Want to know Munster up close? Pierre Dischinger is the perfect person for that! Just think, he has been on the municipal council since 1998 and in 2008 he took his place in the mayor's chair. We could call him a "quiet force" according to the famous slogan, so true is it that his calm has something relaxing about it! Holder of a master's degree in butchery and delicatessen, he runs his local produce business a few meters from his work as mayor. Which does not prevent him from setting aside quiet time to unhitch after or before busy days. A huge environmental enthusiast, he has managed to transform the city's landscaping services, which no longer use herbicides or pesticides. And when he takes time off, it is in the style of backpacking with his wife Heidi. He knows the city of Munster like the back of his hand and will be able to explain to everyone how he intends, with his team, to make Munster the gem in the valley and make people want to discover it. There is still work to be done but it is progressing, he says with a smile and even promises to give a tour of the town hall "from the cellar to the attic" for those interested! Language: French – German
A history teacher at the Kirschleger high school in Munster since 1974, Denis Monhardt takes his students on discovery trips and of course historical trips throughout Europe every year. He wears a variety of hats. Just think: in 1975 he became the organist of the “Mulheim” organ in the Protestant church in Munster, rebuilt in 1984/1985. President of the Association of Friends of Organs, Denis Monhardt is also behind the concerts as part of Church and Tourism in July and August. In a completely different field, a fisherman before the Eternal, he is the representative of the Association of Fishing and Fish Farming of the Petite vallée de la Fecht and secretary of the Federation of Fishing and Fish Farming Associations of the Haut-Rhin. And that’s not all: he also sings in the Soultzeren Choir Union, is part of the board of directors of the parish church, the Ski Club and, with his wife, loves hiking in the mountains, in the valleys of Munster of course but also and especially in the Alps as well as long-distance trips to Africa or elsewhere. “I like meeting people” he says with a smile, which, it must be said, is the primary virtue for being a greeter. Denis Monhardt is without a doubt!
A history teacher at the Kirschleger high school in Munster since 1974, Denis Monhardt takes his students on discovery trips and of course historical trips throughout Europe every year. He wears a variety of hats. Just think: in 1975 he became the organist of the “Mulheim” organ in the Protestant church in Munster, rebuilt in 1984/1985. President of the Association of Friends of Organs, Denis Monhardt is also behind the concerts as part of Church and Tourism in July and August. In a completely different field, a fisherman before the Eternal, he is the representative of the Association of Fishing and Fish Farming of the Petite vallée de la Fecht and secretary of the Federation of Fishing and Fish Farming Associations of the Haut-Rhin. And that’s not all: he also sings in the Soultzeren Choir Union, is part of the board of directors of the parish church, the Ski Club and, with his wife, loves hiking in the mountains, in the valleys of Munster of course but also and especially in the Alps as well as long-distance trips to Africa or elsewhere. “I like meeting people” he says with a smile, which, it must be said, is the primary virtue for being a greeter. Denis Monhardt is without a doubt!
He took over from his father in 1998 as manager of the "Route verte" campsite in Wihr-au-Val, a few kilometres from Munster. A "human-sized" campsite with 55 places where tourists feel at home. For his guests, he organises guided tours of the village every summer on Sunday evenings in July and August and is unrivalled in telling the story of the school's development and evolution. In addition, with Pierre, Alsatian, the regional language, will no longer hold any secrets for you! With the support of the remains of this period scattered throughout Wihr-au-Val. Pierre Meyer got into the game and did not hesitate to do even more in-depth research to flesh out his remarks. President of the Foyer Saint Sébastien in the village, he is also up to date with contemporary history, which allows him to regale his listeners with anecdotes. Language: French
Passionate about cars, Nicolas Guhring even allowed himself the luxury of starting a thesis on the Bugatti world that he knows by heart. This pure Munsterian has many other strings to his bow. History is also his domain, in particular that of the First World War in the valley. This is why he will be able to help those interested discover the sites that during the period 1914-1918 deeply marked the valley and the Vosges ridges by the fierce battles of Linge, Schratzmaennele and other Sattelkopff. For the "disciples" of Doctor Schweitzer, Nicolas Guhring is a specialist. He was even an archivist-guide for two years in Dr. Schweitzer's house in Gunsbach, that's saying something! But he also has a deep knowledge of the agricultural world, in particular that of the marcaires who emigrate to the stubble fields with their herd of cows in the famous farm inns in the summer. Finally, the history of textiles in the valley, closely linked to the Hartmann dynasty, is familiar to him and will be able to enlighten everyone if necessary. Language: French-German
A Munsterian through and through, Gabrielle had long ago moved to Australia, to be precise in Paddington near Sydney, where she exercises her journalistic talents at the microphone of the station "Eastradio". For many years, she promoted Alsace among other things and is still sorry to see that the generic name of Munster refers to many cities on the planet except that of Munster in Alsace. She says it bluntly: Munster in Alsace is not known to English speakers. Returning every six months to Munster, alternating with her sister Yolande, it is her guaranteed breath of fresh air. Gabrielle Haumesser is already looking forward to being able to meet tourists in order to help them discover, in addition to the intrinsic charms of the valley, the gastronomy, museums, and arts that abound everywhere in the nearby region. She points out in passing that tourists only meet service providers (hoteliers, restaurateurs, etc.) but rarely local people. She therefore does not hesitate to welcome the initiative of the Munster Valley Tourist Office to create a greeter chain, which she enthusiastically supports! Language: French – English – German
Another Munsterian by heart! Lili Hourtoulle knows the history of the Hartmann family and its factories like the back of her hand. And for good reason. She worked there from the age of 14 and for 27 years. A jack of all trades - she says so herself - Lili was part of the first round of layoffs, which ultimately allowed her to become an administrative manager at the ELAG company based in Munster (a Swiss company specializing in packaging) until her retirement in 2007. Why become a greeter? Lili, who loves to travel, one day found a charming old man in Venice who showed her the nooks and crannies of the city with undisguised pleasure, whereas in a group she would only have seen the imposed tourist sites. That's what made her decide to take the plunge in Munster to join the greeters team! She, who grew up in the Elm district, also loves to show people off the beaten track in Munster and, as she is secretary of the Munster Fire Brigade Association, she does not rule out serving as a guide at the local rescue centre for firefighters from elsewhere. Language: French-German
What you need to know before requesting a tour:
Request your tour as soon as possible: The earlier you contact us, the more we are able to find the greeter that suits you best. (at least 48 hours in advance)
The tour cannot include more than 6 people (adults and children combined): The greeter is in no way a substitute for a guide, he is there to share his passion with individuals.
The tour lasts about 2 hours, the time is flexible according to the requirements of both parties.
If you have specific needs (language preference) or particular desires, please keep us informed, this will help us choose your greeter.
The tour only takes place in the Munster Valley.
Other information:
The tours are planned according to the availability of the volunteer greeter. Requesting a tour does not guarantee its realization.
The greeters are enthusiastic and dynamic volunteers and not professional guides.
The visit will be confirmed by email. In the email you will find all the contact details of the greeter who will welcome you.
Saturday: 09:30 – 12:00 and 14:00 – 17:00
