Maison centrale d'Ensisheim
Maison centrale d'Ensisheim, Historic prison in Ensisheim, France.
Description
Maison centrale d'Ensisheim is a prison housed within a former Jesuit college building from the 1600s that now holds around 200 inmates. The structure retains its stone walls and original layout while functioning as a modern facility for people serving extended sentences.
History
Architect Louis-Ambroise Dubut converted the college into a prison in 1811 following Napoleon's imperial order. When France closed its overseas penal colonies in 1938, many prisoners from those territories were transferred here.
Culture
The prison reflects how France organized punishment and social order during the 1800s. Its conversion from a religious college into a security facility shows how the same building served very different purposes across centuries.
Practical
The facility sits in central Ensisheim and operates as an active high-security prison with limited public access. Visitors should plan ahead as strict security protocols apply and casual visits are not permitted.
Did you know?
The building received protected monument status in 1987, making it one of the few working prisons with this designation. This creates a rare situation where historical preservation and active daily use exist side by side.
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide. Discover all places nearby (Ensisheim).
Parc du Petit Prince
4.2 km
Ecomusée d'Alsace
5.1 km
Parc à cigognes
958 mPuits Théodore
4.4 km
Église Sainte-Barbe de Wittenheim
4.6 km
Palais de la Régence, Ensisheim
29 m
Auberge de la Couronne
15 m
Église Saint-Michel d'Ungersheim
3.7 km
Église Saints-Pierre-et-Paul de Meyenheim
5.5 km
Cimetière Saint-Martin d'Ensisheim
787 m
Motte castrale de Meyenheim
5.6 km
Town hall of Ensisheim
97 m
Maison au 13, rue de la Première-Armée-Française à Ensisheim
193 m
Maison au 12, rue de l'Église à Ensisheim
118 m
Maison au 4, rue de l'Église à Ensisheim
69 m
Maison au 19, rue du Rempart à Ensisheim
174 m
Église Saint-Etienne de Réguisheim
3.4 km
Maison au 1, place de l'Église à Ensisheim
6 m
Hôtel particulier au 16, rue de la Première-Armée-Française à Ensisheim
115 m
Église Saint-Imier de Battenheim
5.4 km
Mine Théodore
4.4 km
Eglise Saint-Nicolas de Ruelisheim
4.7 km
Collège des Jésuites
96 m
Église Saint-Étienne de Pulversheim
5 km
Église Saint-Martin d'Ensisheim
80 m
Chapelle du cimetière Saint-Martin d'Ensisheim
785 m
Chapelle Notre-Dame-du-Chêne de Ruelisheim
4.3 km
Chapelle Sainte-Thérèse d'Ensisheim
1.6 kmDiscover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes