Tunnel d'Urbès, Vosges Mountains Travel Guide

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Explore a historic, unfinished railway tunnel with a dark past, transformed into a WWII Nazi labor camp, now a place of remembrance in Urbès, France.

The Tunnel d'Urbès is a historic railway tunnel in the picturesque town of Urbès, France, that was never completed. Construction halted in 1935, and during World War II, the tunnel was transformed into a Nazi labor camp, adding a dark chapter to its history. Today, the tunnel stands as a place of memory and reflection.

A brief summary to Tunnel d'Urbès

Rue de la Scierie, Urbès, 68121, FR

From Eve

Know before you go

Hi, I'm Eve. Here are a few practical things to know before exploring Tunnel d'Urbès.

Wear comfortable shoes for walking the discovery trail around the tunnel entrance.
Visit the nearby village of Urbès to see the church and explore the local area.
Check the weather forecast before visiting, as the area can experience significant rainfall.

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Explore Tunnel d'Urbès on the Map

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Getting There

Car

From the town of Urbès, head towards Rue de la Scierie. The road passes under a viaduct and leads toward the tunnel entrance. Parking is available near the Mémorial. Note that parking might be limited.
Walking

From the center of Urbès, follow the signs for the 'Sentier de découverte du Tunnel d'Urbès'. This marked trail leads to the tunnel entrance and the memorial site. The walk is approximately 4.7 km and is considered easy.

Discover more about Tunnel d'Urbès

The Tunnel d'Urbès, located in the scenic region of Haut-Rhin, France, carries a poignant history that spans peacetime ambition and wartime horror. Originally conceived in the early 20th century as part of a railway project to connect the valleys of the Moselle and the Thur, the tunnel's construction began in 1932 with the aim of creating a vital link between France, Switzerland, and other European nations. However, the ambitious project faced financial difficulties and was abandoned in 1935, leaving the tunnel incomplete.During World War II, the tunnel's fate took a dark turn when the Nazi regime requisitioned the site in 1944. The unfinished tunnel was converted into an underground factory for manufacturing aircraft parts, forcing approximately 1,000 deportees from across Europe to work in harsh conditions as an annex of the Natzweiler-Struthof concentration camp. The prisoners endured immense suffering, and the site became a symbol of Nazi oppression and forced labor.Today, the Tunnel d'Urbès stands as a place of remembrance and reflection. While the tunnel itself is closed to the public due to its use as a water reservoir and safety concerns, a discovery trail allows visitors to explore the exterior and learn about its history through informative panels. The trail provides insights into both the railway project and the tragic events of the Nazi occupation, offering a chance to contemplate the past and honor the memory of those who suffered there.