Balbronn is located some 25 kilometres west of
Strasbourg and 8 km south-west of
Wasselonne. Access to the commune is by the D75 road from
Westhoffen in the north which passes through the village and continues west through the commune then south-west to
Oberhaslach. The D275 goes from the village south-east to
Bergbieten. The commune is mostly farmland but with large forests north of the D75 in the west of the commune.[3]
Le Schleithal river flows south through the forests in the west and continues south through the commune to join the
Bruche at
Dinsheim-sur-Bruche. The Niedermattgraben rises near the village and flows south-east to join the Kehlbach east of
Bergbieten.[3]
In his chronicle, Hertzog describes Balbronn as a Staettlin (small town). The church is very old. Inside it is a headstone from 1574 containing the remains of Jean de Mittelhausen and his wife Barbe Hufel.
In the forests in the west of Balbronn there was once a village called Elbersforst which was in a large clearing in the forest where there is now the Auberge d'Elemerforst. A plaque indicates that the place is the property of the Notre Dame works. Stones from the old village can still be seen above the restaurant patio. These are the old foundations of several buildings of what was formerly called Elbersforst. Since 2007 this medieval town has been the subject of archaeological excavations. Elbersforst was part of
Westhoffen which depended on
Marmourtier Abbey.
Heraldry
Blazon:
Gules, a fountain Argent between four roses of Or set 2 and 2.
These are
Canting arms based on Bronn, a derivative of Brunne meaning "fountain" in German.
The commune has several religious buildings and structures that are registered as historical monuments:
A Synagogue (disused) at Rue des Femmes (1895)[15]
A Protestant Presbytery 173 Rue du Fossé (1732).[16] The Presbytery contains 2 communion
ewers (18th century) which are registered as an historical object.[17]
The Parish Church of Saint-Catherine at Rue de Westhoffen (20th century).[19] The church contains many items that are registered as historical objects:
The Interdenominational Cemetery at Rue de Westhoffen (1882)[28]
The Church and Cemetery of Balbronn (12th century).[29] The Cemetery contains a Cemetery Cross (19th century) which is registered as an historical object.[30]
Notable people linked to the commune
Louis Albert Kiefer, pastor from 1873 to 1913, the date of his death, author of the book: Die geschichte Balbronn, 1894.