Parc Schulmeister
Parc Schulmeister, sometimes called Parc de la Meinau, is a 7-hectare public park in the Meinau district, south of Strasbourg, including one hectare of water. Laid out in 1807 around the château of Charles Louis Schulmeister, it became public in 1933. A peaceful neighbourhood park with a surprising story to tell.
The estate of Napoleon's spy
The park was laid out in 1807 to go with the château built for Charles Louis Schulmeister, a famous intelligence agent in Napoleon's service. The estate was called “Meine Aue”, literally “my meadow”, which gave its name to the Meinau district. So it is to this unusual figure that the south of Strasbourg owes both a park and the name of a district.
From sugar factory to public garden
The estate has had several lives. In 1833 it was turned into a sugar factory, and the château was demolished in 1874. It was not until 1933 that the park opened to the public, and 1971 before it took its present form. Renovation work was carried out in 2010 and 2011. Nothing remains of the château today, but the park's layout and its pond keep the memory of this early 19th-century estate.
A lake in the heart of the Meinau
The large one-hectare lake shapes the walk: you stroll around it between lawns and tall trees, in a calmer atmosphere than in the city-centre parks. The park holds the EcoJardin label, a sign of management that pays attention to biodiversity. It is an everyday spot for Meinau residents, who come to jog, sit by the water or take the children out.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Parc Schulmeister?
In the Meinau district, south of Strasbourg. It is sometimes also called Parc de la Meinau.
Who was Schulmeister?
Charles Louis Schulmeister was one of Napoleon's intelligence agents. The park was created in 1807 around his château, which no longer exists.
Is it worth a visit for a tourist?
It is above all a neighbourhood park: ideal if you are staying in the south of the city and want a quiet walk around a lake, less so if you only have one day in Strasbourg.
Wikimedia Commons — Jimmyjrg
