Munich is a city well worth seeing, attracting numerous tourists from all over the world in every season with its architecture and scenery. But it’s not just the city on the Isar itself— the surrounding towns and cities are also worth a visit. If you’d like to play tourist yourself without having to travel too far, then take a trip to Weilheim soon. In this charming town on the Ammer River, there’s plenty for you to discover and experience. And a visit is especially worthwhile in early July, when “French Week” is back.
Long-standing ties to France
In 1965, French scouts from Narbonne pitched their tents along the Ammer River. However, they couldn’t stay long because flooding caught the group by surprise. Residents from nearby Weilheim came to their aid, which led to a friendship and eventually a partnership between the two towns. This gave rise to “French Week, ” which the town of Weilheim has celebrated annually since 1988. In return, Narbonne hosts a “Bavarian Week” every two years.
Every first weekend in July, Marienplatz transforms into a little piece of France. From July 2 to 5, you can enjoy the culinary delights of our neighboring country, with all sorts of things to taste and buy. At the market stalls, you can stock up on food to take home, so your trip to Narbonne doesn’t have to end with “French Week.” There’s also a musical program and activities for children, ensuring that young and old alike will have a great time.
The Diversity of Weilheim
Even though “French Week” is an absolute highlight, a visit to Weilheim is well worth it at any other time of year as well. Among other things, the town captivates visitors with its many green spaces and the rose garden, where you can linger and unwind. The Ammer River also invites you to take a stroll as it babbles quietly along. In addition to nature, however, what you’ll discover most of all in Weilheim is its architecture. All around the old town, you can still spot remnants of the city wall, which once had three gates. Today, they no longer exist, but paintings at the respective locations serve as reminders of where they once stood.
Marienplatz, with its Marian Column, marks the center of Weilheim. It’s lined with the colorful facades of the townhouses and the parish church of the Assumption of Mary. The church features intricate stucco decorations and frescoes that you can lose yourself in. It’s also home to Germany’s largest Baroque monstrance, the Wurzel-Jesse Monstrance from 1698. Around Marienplatz, you’ll find a wide range of dining options that invite you to stop for a bite. Or, on market days, you can stock up on fresh groceries yourself. You can continue shopping at the Rid department store, the oldest of its kind in Germany. Located just 5 minutes from Marienplatz, it has been offering a wide variety of goods since 1840.
