Munster Valley Tourist Office
Munster Valley Tourist Office
Appeared in New York in the 90s, more than 120 destinations in the world are now members of the International Greeter Association, the international network of greeters. The 60 French destinations are members of the France Greeters Federation, one of the subsidiaries of the IGA.
The term Greeter means “host” or “welcome committee” in English. A greeter is an inhabitant of a city, a territory, who agrees to spend a few hours with a visitor to show them “their” territory.
Appearing in New York at the beginning of the 90s, around thirty cities in the world are now members of the IGA (International Greeter Association). , the international greeters network.
The Munster Valley is the first rural area to offer this initiative; find out about the differences with the greeters of the Munster Valley!
So if you too would like to share your passion, your Valley, get information from the tourist office on 03.89.77.31.80 or by email at contact@vallee-munster.eu
En 1992, Lynn Brooks, in love with her city, New York, founded the “Big Apple greeter” program (from the English verb to greet, to welcome).
This concept is therefore unique in its kind and is based on meeting with locals who want to do share their love and passion for their territory. What better way to discover a territory than through a passionate gaze.
As of June 1, 2013, Greeter organizations have been established throughout the world, with a total of 48 programs sharing the same ethics: friendliness, free of charge and a sense of hospitality, spread across 14 countries, on 3 continents.
The concept of this form of reception is very simple, it involves putting tourists and "greeters" in direct contact. These greeters must help people discover their city and their territory in a completely authentic and unusual way through walks or other activities organized and led by the greeters. The meetings are organized for individuals or small groups in order to encourage sharing.
The service is completely free and in no case are greeters considered guides.
A greeter is a volunteer resident who loves his city or territory and wants to show it to visitors. Not in the conventional way of a guide but more like one would introduce it to a friend. The greeter will present places that represent something to him.
Greeters are people open to different cultures, of all ages and backgrounds, often passionate about an aspect of local life.
The Greeters of the Munster Valley are inhabitants of the valley, native or adopted, who want to show off THEIR valley.
Each greeter must be motivated, open, sociable and enjoy human contact. He agrees to give at least half a day per month to share his passion, in places that are close to his heart. The themes of the diverse and varied walks (shopping-gastronomy-sport-history, etc.) are supports for meetings. The human experience, the exchange remains essential. THE GREETER IS NOT A GUIDE, the visit is each time unique in line with the desires of the client.
Speaking a foreign language is not mandatory but is a definite advantage. The only requirement is to be 18 years or older (however minors can accompany a greeter on the tour)
Greeters welcome everyone without discrimination of race, color, religion, age, sexual orientation, marital status or disability, during their free time.
Greeters welcome “the whole world”This type of service is aimed at families, groups of friends, couples, individuals, business trips, etc.
However, the group cannot exceed 6 people and must include at least one person over 18 years old.
In order to benefit from a meeting with a Greeter, each visitor or group of visitors completes a online questionnaire in which he describes his desires and the composition of the group.
This form allows the Tourist Office to find an available greeter most likely to have compatibility points.
Depending on the greeter's availability, a meeting point is communicated to the visitor by the Tourist Office. The meeting place will be chosen according to the outing and will be easy to identify.
In order to facilitate contact, the form completed by the visitor will be given to the greeter before the date of the meeting. Telephone contact details (mobile phone) are exchanged between the two parties (it is strongly recommended to contact the visitor if he or she has not taken the initiative).
Each walk is tailor-made, depending on the visitor, the greeter, the weather, etc.
The greeter can welcome the visitor(s) alone or with a person of his choice (depending on the visitor(s). For example, if the visitor is with his family, the walk can be done as a family.
The visit lasts on average 2 hours but can be extended if both agree.
The visit must take place in a public place.
To promote greeters, we ask you to wear the greeter badge during your visits or actions as a greeter.
If expenses are incurred (transport ticket – site entrance – consumption - …) each person pays for his or her own expenses. The greeter has no obligation to pay for the visitor and vice versa.
The visitor(s) are informed of the rules and agree to respect them (significant unjustified delay, lack of respect, lack of interest, etc.), the Greeter is released from his/her commitment to welcome.
THE MEETING IS COMPLETELY FREE FOR THE VISITOR, THE GREETER MUST NOT ACCEPT ANY TIPS OR REMUNERATION.
The visitor acknowledges having taken note of the free nature of the meeting and cannot hold the Munster Valley Tourist Office or the Greeters – Munster Valley liable in the event of a dispute or for any failure not resulting from the actions of the Munster Valley Tourist Office or the Greeters – Munster Valley. Greeters – Munster Valley.
"A vital need to act, to share..." Communication is second nature to this man, a 66-year-old retiree, jovial and unfussy. Philippe Heck came to settle with his wife four years ago on the road to Stosswihr in the "blue house leaning against the hill" as Maxime Leforestier sings with talent. "I've done a bit of everything in terms of jobs, but I have a vocational certificate as a Rhine boatman to start with," laughs Philippe, who continues, "but with my wife we ran a restaurant in Wolfgantzen near the Rhine for 25 years. And five years in Colmar. It was a bit of chance that brought me here." "Why become a greeter in the valley?" "I love nature, I love people and contact. That's why I also have two guest rooms where I offer walks in the surrounding area, or for bikers, trips into the mountains with my 1250 cc Suzuki Bandit! I bought myself booklet no. 2 of the Vosges Club trails, which will now be my vade-mecum." As soon as he arrived in Stosswihr, he registered at the town hall and immediately joined the village festival committee, where he became a member of the executive! Philippe Heck is like that. A vital need to act and share with his contemporaries. So, I can't wait for tourists to call on him!
Jeannette Schickel's smile is contagious! As a little girl, she helped out her parents who ran the Eschbach-au-Val inn-bistro. For her, welcoming is second nature. Already professionally, she went from being an accountant to a childcare worker before taking care of her two children and all those in the neighborhood. In addition to being a member of all the village associations, her great work, her passion is the transmission of the Alsatian dialect. This is why she has been giving Alsatian lessons to children for twelve years and to adults for nine years! With success, it should be noted? Her charming "home" allows her to appreciate the nearby mountains. Jeannette, whom everyone familiarly calls "Jeannala", looks after a nearby gîte whose guests have a singular opportunity: they become friends to whom she introduces, how could it be otherwise, the innumerable charms of the valley and Alsace. With the house cat as an attentive and hieratic observer!
Responsible for several departments in the East of a maintenance company, Eric Babilon knows what it's like to "walk miles". So, to clear his mind and bronchial tubes, as soon as he's back in Munster, he climbs the ridges to go and see "his" chamois! Most often on approach, with his camera, he tries to capture these ungulates in their slightest expressions. The result is not lacking in allure to see the large format prints of these endearing animals that he wants to share with as many people as possible on the occasion of upcoming exhibitions. But also of course "in vivo" by taking tourists with him. But shh, and above all without making a sound! Another passion, that of History with a capital H. Originally from Niederbronn-les-Bains in the Bas-Rhin, he had plenty of time to cultivate his historical classics with of course Froeschwiller where the Battle of Reichshoffen took place or the nearby forts of the Maginot Line. Great-great-great-grandson of a soldier from the Napoleonic Wars, Eric Babilon also knows the sites of Linge and Reichackerkopf like the back of his hand, which he can show to passing tourists at any time. For this reason, when he discovered that the Munster Valley Tourist Office had created a Greeters team, he decided to get involved with enthusiasm in a spirit of sharing and meeting interested and interesting people.
You have to see the pride of Michel Miclo, 66, manager of the Schnepfenried ski resort when he takes you into the "holy of holies" of the resort, the garage for snow groomers and other snowmobiles. Talkative, he is the guardian of the temple who, through courage, willpower and tenacity, has succeeded in the challenge of holding on to give "pep" back to the "Schnepf" where climatic hazards were a constant concern in the past. Thanks to the help of the Department, the Mixed Syndicate for the Development of Mountain Resorts in the Munster Valley, massive investments - snow cannons and modern equipment - now allow us to count on at least decent winter seasons no matter what. A farmer when he started out, he knows a thing or two about the nature of the Vosges. A truck and coach driver, he was able to combine his passion for mechanics with that of the 13 ski slopes and five ski lifts in winter, which now enjoy enviable attendance. He is the manager of the resort, assisted by his wife and daughter Sandrine, the three "pillars" in summer, whose workforce increases to around thirty in winter! But enough of speeches: he is happy when he can dissect his resort for you with... passion! (www.leschnepf.com)Language: French-German
In her Thebaid on the heights of Munster, Anne Thiebold has a front row seat to enjoy the calm of the nearby forest where her three "Parson-Russels" Dakah, Fargo and Fiesta frolic freely and are kings! The proverb that says "who loves animals loves people" applies perfectly to Anne, restaurateur of the Wasen in Munster, experienced in welcoming. She is already looking forward to being able to show the valley to future visitors. Anne Thiebold takes one or two hours every day to "clear her head" in the company of her three boisterous but obedient companions and knows a thing or two about dogs, regularly taking hers to agility competitions! If we have to talk about passion, it is indeed the case, but Anne Thiebold, in the role of a greeter, will be invaluable: she knows so many paths, trails, sites throughout the valley that she will be able to guide whoever wants it, depending on her availability of course.Language: French – German
Want to know Munster up close? Pierre Dischinger is the perfect person for that! Just think, he has been on the municipal council since 1998 and in 2008 he took his place in the mayor's chair. We could call him a "quiet force" according to the famous slogan, so true is it that his calm has something relaxing about it! Holder of a master's degree in butchery and delicatessen, he runs his local produce business a few meters from his work as mayor. Which does not prevent him from setting aside quiet time to unhitch after or before busy days. A huge environmental enthusiast, he has managed to transform the city's landscaping services, which no longer use herbicides or pesticides. And when he takes time off, it is for backpacking trips with his wife Heidi. He knows the city of Munster like the back of his hand and will be able to explain to everyone how he intends, with his team, to make Munster the gem in the valley and make people want to discover it. There is still work to be done but it is progressing, he says with a smile and even promises to give tours of the town hall "from cellar to attic" for those interested!Language: French – German
A history teacher at the Kirschleger high school in Munster since 1974, Denis Monhardt takes his students on discovery trips and of course historical trips throughout Europe every year. He wears a variety of hats. Just think: in 1975 he became the organist of the "Mulheim" organ in the Protestant church in Munster, rebuilt in 1984/1985. President of the Association of Friends of Organs, Denis Monhardt is also behind the concerts as part of Church and Tourism in July and August. In a completely different field, a fisherman before the Eternal, he is the representative of the Association of Fishing and Fish Farming of the Petite vallée de la Fecht and secretary of the Federation of Fishing and Fish Farming Associations of Haut-Rhin. And that's not all: he also sings in the Soultzeren Choir Union, is part of the board of directors of the parish church, the Ski Club and, with his wife, loves hiking in the mountains, in the valleys of Munster of course but also and especially in the Alps as well as long-distance trips to Africa or elsewhere. "I like meeting people" he says with a smile which, it must be emphasized, is the primary virtue for being a greeter. Denis Monhardt is without a doubt!
The former gendarme that he was had travelled as far as New Caledonia and Polynesia during his job during various postings to end his career as brigade commander in Munster. A return to his roots for Albert Heinrich, passionate about the Munster Valley that he describes as "the most beautiful valley in the world" while assuming his chauvinism. But the one who resembles Ho Chi Minh - for the moment - became in 2005 president of the Munster Valley section of the Vosges Club, at the head of more than 500 members and 365 km of marked and maintained trails! A voluble jack-of-all-trades, Albert Heinrich treated himself in 2007 to a Munster-Compostelle, i.e. 2300 km on foot, followed in 2011 by a Malaga-Hendaye of 1500 km. For over a year, he has also been a guide at the Albert Schweitzer Museum, of which he is an admirer. Also, becoming a greeter is obvious since, as he says: "I like people". It is true that, vaccinated by public service, he still feels at the service of the public through his various commitments and is happy to point out that in Tahiti, his customary name is "tuakoifenua" which means "the man who comes from far away". And in Munster, he is very close!
He took over from his father in 1998 as manager of the "Route verte" campsite in Wihr-au-Val, a few kilometres from Munster. A "human-sized" campsite with 55 places where tourists feel at home. For his guests, he organises guided tours of the village every summer on Sunday evenings in July and August and is unrivalled in telling the story of the school's development and evolution. In addition, with Pierre, Alsatian, the regional language, will no longer hold any secrets for you! With the support of the remains of this period scattered throughout Wihr-au-Val. Pierre Meyer got into the game and did not hesitate to do even more in-depth research to flesh out his remarks. President of the Foyer Saint Sébastien in the village, he is also up to date with contemporary history, which allows him to regale his listeners with anecdotes.Language: French
Passionate about cars, Nicolas Guhring even allowed himself the luxury of starting a thesis on the Bugatti world that he knows by heart. This pure Munsterian has many other strings to his bow. History is also his domain, in particular that of the First World War in the valley. This is why he will be able to help those interested discover the sites that during the period 1-1914 deeply marked the valley and the Vosges ridges by the fierce battles of Linge, Schratzmaennele and other Sattelkopff. For the "disciples" of Doctor Schweitzer, Nicolas Guhring is a specialist. He was even an archivist-guide for two years in Dr. Schweitzer's house in Gunsbach, that's saying something! But he also has a deep knowledge of the agricultural world, in particular that of the marcaires who emigrate to the stubble fields with their herd of cows in the famous farm inns in the summer. Finally, the history of textiles in the valley, closely linked to the Hartmann dynasty, is familiar to him and will be able to enlighten everyone if necessary.Language: French-German
A Munsterian through and through, Gabrielle had long ago moved to Australia, to be precise to Paddington near Sydney, where she exercises her journalistic talents at the microphone of the station "Eastradio". For many years, she promoted Alsace among other things and is still sorry to see that the generic name of Munster refers to many cities on the planet except that of Munster in Alsace. She says it bluntly: Munster in Alsace is not known to English speakers. Returning every six months to Munster, alternating with her sister Yolande, it is her guaranteed breath of fresh air. Gabrielle Haumesser is already looking forward to being able to meet tourists in order to help them discover, in addition to the intrinsic charms of the valley, the gastronomy, museums, and arts that abound everywhere in the nearby region. She points out in passing that tourists only meet service providers (hoteliers, restaurateurs, etc.) but rarely local people. She therefore does not hesitate to welcome the initiative of the Munster Valley Tourist Office to create a greeter chain, which she enthusiastically supports!Language: French – English – German
Another Munsterian by heart! Lili Hourtoulle knows the history of the Hartmann family and its factories like the back of her hand. And for good reason. She worked there from the age of 14 and for 27 years. A jack of all trades - she says so herself - Lili was part of the first round of layoffs, which ultimately allowed her to become an administrative manager at the ELAG company based in Munster (a Swiss company specializing in packaging) until her retirement in 2007. Why become a greeter? Lili, who loves to travel, one day found a charming old man in Venice who showed her the nooks and crannies of the city with undisguised pleasure, whereas in a group she would only have seen the imposed tourist sites. That's what made her decide to take the plunge in Munster to join the greeters team! She, who grew up in the Elm district, also loves to show people off the beaten track in Munster and, as she is secretary of the Munster Fire Brigade Association, she does not rule out serving as a guide at the local rescue centre for firefighters from elsewhere.Language: French-German
What you need to know before requesting a visit:
Request your visit as soon as possible: The earlier you contact us, the more we are able to find the greeter who suits you best. (at least 48 hours in advance)
The visit cannot include more than 6 people (adults and children combined): The greeter is in no way a substitute for a guide, he is there to help individuals discover his passion.
The visit lasts approximately 2 hours, the time can be adjusted according to the needs of both parties.
If you have any specific needs (language preference) or particular desires, please keep us informed, this will help us choose your greeter.
The tour only takes place in the Munster Valley.
Other information :
Tours are scheduled based on the availability of the volunteer greeter. Requesting a tour does not guarantee that it will take place.
Greeters are enthusiastic and dynamic volunteers and not professional guides.
The visit will be confirmed by email. In the email you will find all the contact details of the greeter who will welcome you.
Munster Valley Tourist Office 2024
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