Crémation des Trois Sapins

The Crémation des Trois Sapins: A Living Legend in the Heart of Alsace

Every year, on June 30th, the town of Thann is illuminated by a special glow. The Crémation des Trois Sapins is one of the oldest and most spectacular traditions in Alsace, celebrated without interruption since the 15th century (municipal archives attest to its existence as early as 1458). This ritual, unique and etched in the collective memory of the entire Thur Valley, blends medieval legend, religious devotion, and popular festival.

The Legend of Saint Thiébaut

It all began in 1161, according to tradition. Thiébaut de Gubbio, a bishop from Umbria, entrusted his servant with a relic—the knucklebone of his thumb—set in a pilgrim's staff. The servant, traveling through Europe, fell asleep at the foot of a fir tree in the forest of the Thur Valley. Upon waking, his staff had taken root in the tree and refused to detach.

At the same moment, the Count of Ferrette, from his castle, spotted three flames twinkling at the top of three fir trees in the forest. He descended to meet the servant and, discovering the miraculous relic, vowed to build a chapel dedicated to Saint Thiébaut. Immediately, the staff detached from the tree. This is how the town of Thann and its magnificent Collégiale Saint-Thiébaut, a masterpiece of Alsatian Gothic art, was born.

The Evening's Events

The day of June 30th is filled with activities for the whole family: shows, games, music, and a festive atmosphere in the town's streets. Shops remain open late into the evening.

In the late afternoon, a concert is offered in the square, followed by the procession of the statue of Saint Thiébaut through the streets of the old town. Solemn vespers are celebrated at the Collégiale Saint-Thiébaut around 9:30 PM.

The most anticipated moment arrives around 11 PM: the "cremators" proceed to the burning of the three fir trees erected in Place Joffre, in front of the Collegiate Church. The flames rise slowly, consuming the trees under the applause of the gathered crowd. A moment of prayer and reflection follows the burning.

The evening concludes in a blaze of glory with fireworks launched from the site of the Engelbourg—the former castle of the Counts of Ferrette, of which the famous "Witch's Eye" Tower remains—offering a pyrotechnic spectacle that illuminates the entire Thur Valley.

A Moment of Alsatian Conviviality

Beyond the spectacle, the Crémation des Trois Sapins is a moment of typically Alsatian conviviality. People come with family or friends to enjoy flammekueches, toast with wines from the Thann vineyard, and share the warmth of a summer evening in an exceptional historical setting. The festival brings together over 10,000 people each year, making it the main event in Thann's life.