Hoerdt | The capital of asparagus
The fortunes of the village of Hoerdt have much in common with the history of Alsace, a region that has experienced the ravages of war over many centuries, marked by its position on the French and German border.
With 4 500 inhabitants, the rural village of Hoerdt forms the centre of the Lower Zorn, an area made up of 7 municipalities to the north of Strasbourg, with a population of nearly 17 000 inhabitants.
The century-long fame of the village comes from the cultivation of asparagus. This was introduced at the end of the 19th century by Pastor Heyler, who had returned from Algeria with a few of these plants.
This proved to be so successful that Hoerdt can claim today to be the “capital of asparagus”. The famed asparagus of Hoerdt is widely sold in France and also in Switzerland and Germany.
From the restaurant “À la Couronne”… to the Arts and Heritage Centre (Maison des Arts et du Patrimoine)
The municipality of Hoerdt’s Arts and Heritage Centre links the identity of the village and its inhabitants to a heritage strongly rooted in gastronomy and agricultural production that together have developed unique know-how in the region. As the modern world continues to encroach on rural traditions, this vital place of remembrance and heritage comes to life in the village centre in a traditional Alsatian farmhouse, the former restaurant “À la Couronne“.
The aim of preserving old buildings of architectural and patrimonial interest was
the main priority in the development of the site. This vibrant venue, where people of all ages can meet to discover the culture, local traditions and heritage of Hoerdt, has been carefully designed with an educational and recreational focus in mind. It is intended to be a welcoming place where the soul of the village will find a true refuge in which to express itself.