Rhine promenade is redesigned

Watch ships, go for a walk or just relax: The Rhine promenade Plittersdorf is a popular destination for locals and tourists. Many river cruise ships dock here. A yaw rope ferry connects the German and French banks. Picnic areas, children's swings, a large play ship and the wildly romantic floodplain landscape make every stay an experience, especially for families.

Plan Rhine promenade Plittersdorf with green areas, streets, trees and visitor pavilion

In the future, a visit to Plittersdorf will be even more worthwhile. Because the city of Rastatt is completely redesigning the Rhine promenade as part of a cross-border project with financial support from the European Union.

Promenade without cars

Parked cars in the parking lot on the banks of the Rhine in Plittersdorf.

The promenade along the Rhine becomes car-free. The current parking lot (photo) at the ferry dock will be converted into a recreational meadow. This can also be used for events. In the future, vehicles may no longer be parked parallel to the banks of the Rhine. Therefore, parking areas for 70 cars, 60 bicycles and 14 motorcycles will be newly created. In addition, four coach spaces and a bus stop including a turning loop will be set up.

"Plittersdorf Wave"

Drawing of future visitor pavilion on the Rhine promenade with a Wise and people picnicking.

In the future, visitors will have access to a pavilion called "Plittersdorfer Welle". This contains three containers under a wave-shaped roof, in which a kiosk, a storage room, public toilets and information boards can be found. The structure also serves as a weather-protected bus waiting area. The highlight: the containers can be raised by up to one and a half meters with a motor-driven spindle lift to protect them against flooding from the Rhine.

Very close to the Rhine

Rhine ferry in Plittersdorf

In the future, the Rhine promenade will cross Fährstraße, creating a continuous footpath. Also newly created are seating areas with picnic areas, a long bench directly on the banks of the Rhine and a bench on the Old Rhine, which can be reached via a small staircase. The shady avenue of linden trees (photo) will be retained in its entirety and supplemented by additional trees.

Nature trail through nature reserve

Drawing of new nature trail at the Rhine promenade in Plittersdorf with family looking at an information board

A new nine-kilometer-long cross-border nature trail offers a very special experience of nature. It is intended to sensitize visitors to the Rhine floodplain habitat with concise information at various stations. There is also an exciting gimmick for children. The trail, which is 3.6 kilometers long on the German side, runs along existing footpaths and forest trails through the nature reserve.

Even more fun to play

Pirate playground on the Rhine promenade in Plittersdorf on a summer day.

Children can look forward to a new, natural play hill. It will be heaped up on the playground with the wooden pirate ship and equipped with balancing woods, sandstone boulders and wickerwork.

New trees planted

Newly planted trees on Fährstraße in Plittersdorf.

Trees have to be removed for the rearrangement of the parking spaces on the Rhine promenade; to compensate, 25 new trees have already been planted on Fährstraße (photo). Another 150 parking spaces are available at the sports field of the FV Plittersdorf. From there, a pedestrian and bicycle path leads along Fährstraße to the Rhine promenade. This is to be widened so that pedestrians and cyclists can reach their destination comfortably and safely.

Sluices are deepened

Trees and water in the Rhine meadows in Plittersdorf.

The city of Rastatt is not only redesigning the promenade. It is also pushing ahead with renaturalization measures in the adjacent Rastatter Rheinaue nature reserve. The increasing silting up of valuable floodplain areas is being counteracted by deepening two sluices. In addition, the construction of breeding rafts for the common tern, whose population is endangered, is planned.

European Union supports project

Drawing new bank Rhine promenade in Plittersdorf. Trees line a path with benches at the edge.

The cross-border redesign of the Rhine promenade is financially supported by the Interreg program, a community initiative of the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). In this way, the European Union (EU) is promoting cooperation between cities and regions within its member states. The French municipality of Seltz has already installed seating steps in the Rhine bank and, like Plittersdorf, is creating a nature trail. The cost of the construction work on the German side is estimated at 4.2 million euros. The package of measures is being supported by the EU with 1.6 million euros. More info

Restrictions due to construction site

Parking lot of the sports field in Plittersdorf.

Until the completion of the construction work at the end of October 2023, parking is not permitted on the Rhine promenade. However, motorists can use the parking lot of the FV Plittersdorf. Visitors can continue to walk along the Rhine bank near the playground; only the area to the right of the ferry dock is closed to pedestrians until further notice. The access to the ferry dock is not affected by the construction measures, the ferry operates at the usual times. The Rheinstrom restaurant can also be reached.


To top of page