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Gengenbach day trip from Strasbourg--add Vogstbauernhof open air museum?

We are planning a day trip from Strasbourg to Gengenbach by train (probably on Saturday, June 8). I've seen recommendations on the forum to go directly to the Vogstbauernhof in Gutach first, then to Gengenbach. I'm wondering if that would leave enough time to appreciate both Gengenbach and the Vogstbauernhof. Both look great to me, but I don't want to feel like i haven't done justice to either, My priority is probably Gengenbach.

For context, our trip will also include a day in Strasbourg, a day in Colmar, and a day exploring some wine villages. We are also going to the Berner Oberland in Switzerland for 6 nights, where we are considering visiting the Ballenberg Open Air Museum.

I'd appreciate comments on:
1) whether you recommend trying to see both Gengenbach and the Vogstbauernhof in one day.
2) if yes, how would you schedule the day and focus your time--how long do you recommend that we try to spend at the museum and in Gengenbach and what should we be sure to see?
3) any tips on the trains for this trip--I assume I can just go to the train station in Strasbourg and they would help me get the best fare for the day but please let me know if that is correct.
4) If you have been to both the Vogstbauernhof and the Ballenberg Open Air Museum in Switzerland, I'd appreciate any thoughts on how they compare in terms of overall experience.

Thank you for your thoughts.

Posted by
6738 posts

Click on the "cross-border" link at the page below to find the Europass 24 h, which will get 2 adults from Strasbourg to your two chosen destinations and back by regional train. This day pass is €14.50 from ticket machines at Strasbourg station.

https://www.cts-strasbourg.eu/en/online-store/fares/tickets/

Use the DB site to pull up travel schedules; specify "local transport only" under "means of transport" to ensure that you are looking at and using only regional trains.

https://int.bahn.de/en/

Gutach Freilichtmuseum is the station name for the Vogtsbauernhof.

3 hours each for the Vogtsbauernhof and Gengenbach sounds about right. Add time for a meal somewhere.

No idea how Ballenberg compares or even where it is. Vogtsbauernhof is right at the station, as you see in the pic below:

https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mUmryIqwuYQ/VQAiD2d4O7I/AAAAAAAAWX0/ASEFsKIfreQ/s1600/P3100034.JPG

Posted by
1602 posts

We spent the better part of a day in and around Gengenbach, a terrific little place. There was some walking involved, up into the hills and by the river later on. Always a long lunch.

Posted by
2462 posts

I think 2-3 hours for the open air museum is enough. If you like alpine coasters, there is ne a couple of hundred yards away. Inexpensive, nice ride. Not crowded.

In Gengenbach get a copy of the town walk at the Information office.

Posted by
82 posts

I have stayed for 2 weeks in Gengenbach, and visited the Gutach open-air museum.
It is similar to Ballenberg in topic, but nowhere as large and not set atop a mountain. There is a pleasant rushing stream.
The old town of Gengenbach can easily be visited in under 2 hours.
Dont miss the Narrenmuseum in the spiral tower, documenting Fasching Kostueme thru the centuries. And do have Flammkuchen,an Alsation flatbread pizza.

Posted by
2462 posts

The Narren Museum is only open Sundays 11-5, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays 2-5. One of my favorite museums anywhere

Posted by
33123 posts

Linking the two is pretty easy - and scenic too. I might go to the open air museum first just so that the afternoon in Gengenbach would be calm and relaxed before heading back to Strasbourg.

I have often spent most of a day wandering and relaxing in and around Gengenbach, but 3 hours would work well too.

I've never had the time to go around the open air museum because I get trapped by the big model railway exhibit and spend those hours there, nor have I ever been near Ballenberg when it has been a day I don't want to be in the mountains.

I have heard very good things about both of them and wouldn't want to discourage you from either. When we had time in the Netherlands we visited and really enjoyed both Arnhem's and Enkhuizen's open air museum, returning to Enkhuizen several times in various seasons.

So if the times work out for you I'd suggest both Gengenbach and Gutach.

Posted by
727 posts

Russ, thank you for the detailed transportation information. Gunderson, Stephen, wynoka54, and Nigel, thank you for your advice.

Stephen, how long do you think it takes to see the Narren Museum?

Nigel, my husband loves trains and model railways and this one looks great, but it doesn't look like there is any public transportation to get there.

Posted by
6805 posts

I agree with Nigel that doing the Vogstbauernhof first would be a good idea. That way you can leave and then spend some time in Gengenbach. I was there for four nights in 2022 and really love the town. But as others have said, it is easily seen in 2 to 3 hours. And that’s a good suggestion to get a map of the town walk from the tourist office. If you’d like to hike, there is a lovely hike that goes uphill from the town towards an old church in the hills. You have a fantastic view of the surrounding countryside from the top. You can ask about it at the tourist info office.

I would also recommend eating in Gengenbach. . They have a number of good restaurants and I never had a bad meal there.

Posted by
727 posts

It looks like there is a bus to the model railway, although it would probably make the day too hectic to add the railway to our plan.

Posted by
1321 posts

Vogstbauernhof is worth a visit. I was there the first time in the lare 1980s. I have a Lilliput cottage I bought of the signature house after our visit that sits in our Bayrishe Partyzimmer. Sorry but the toilet facility of that house comes to mind along with the steps from the main bedroom down to the kitchen. Was there later 10 years ago. Can't help with transportation as we always drove.

Posted by
727 posts

Thanks, Mardee and mchpp. Mardee, I read your blog post about Gengenbach a while ago and it helped me to decide to include it in our itinerary.

Posted by
6805 posts

Oh Barbara, I'm so glad to hear that! I think you will really love the town. By the way, I don't remember if I talked about this, but there is a very charming street that you may want to walk through. I found out about it in Lonely Planet. Here is the description from the book:

The best way to discover Gengenbach’s historical centre is with a serendipitous mooch through its narrow backstreets, such as the gently curving Engelgasse, off Hauptstrasse, lined with listed half-timbered, shuttered houses draped in vines and bedecked with scarlet geraniums in summer.

It was such a lovely walk through there. It's very near the tourist info office, and is easy to find.

ETA: Btw, the website for the open air museum gives you specific directions on how to get there by train. It's very easy. Once you arrive at the stopping (it's really not a station), you will walk through a tunnel (under the road) to get to the museum. There is a cafe on the side where you get off the train, but the museum also has a cafe. https://www.vogtsbauernhof.de/en/visit/how-to-get-here