Hauts LieuxChapels, sanctuaries & legends

Hauts Lieux›All places›Territoire de Belfort

Venerable treeTerritoire de Belfort

Tilleul de Turenne

Fontaine

Dimensions
around 20 m tall, girth of more than 8 m at the base
Period
at least 700 years old; classified site since 15 April 1911
What stands there
small-leaved lime, linked to the halt of Marshal Turenne on 29 December 1674 — approximate position (coordinates of the village centre)

According to local tradition, Marshal Turenne halted beneath this lime tree on 29 December 1674, before winning the battle against the Imperial troops at Mulhouse; he then returned to set up his headquarters here until the decisive victory of Turckheim on 5 January 1675. This ancient historical link earned it classification as a protected site, for its artistic and picturesque character, as early as 15 April 1911 — one of the oldest protections of a tree in France. Severely damaged by frost in 1978, it underwent complete tree surgery in September 1985 (removal of dead roots, cleaning of the trunk, pruning, bracing). Still standing beside the village town hall, it remains one of the best-documented historic lime trees in eastern France.

Getting there : next to the town hall of Fontaine (Territoire de Belfort), free access

Opening times and access details are given as a guide only: check before you set out.

See it on the map OpenStreetMap Directions

Ambient sound

Tilleul de Turenne
Félix Potuit · domaine public · Wikimedia Commons

Nearby

In the same department

All places — Territoire de Belfort (8).