Rheinau is a municipality whose name belongs to the whole, not to any single village. It brings together nine settlements—Freistett, Rheinbischofsheim, Linx, Diersheim, Helmlingen, Memprechtshofen, Honau, Holzhausen and Hausgereut—along the Rhine in northern Ortenau. The statistical register counted 11,374 residents on 30 September 2026 across 73.5 square kilometres. Each village has kept a distinct local identity, while the river, alluvial woods and former Rhine channels link them into one landscape. Freistett is the administrative and service centre; the wider municipality is best understood as a group of rural communities with different histories rather than a single historic town.
The present city was created in 1975 during Baden-Württemberg’s municipal reform, when Freistett and eight surrounding villages were joined. The name Rheinau was chosen for the new municipality and does not refer to a tenth settlement. Freistett itself appears in a written record of 4 March 828 as Fregistatt. Ober- and Niederfreistett remained separate for centuries and were finally united in 1564. The Thirty Years’ War, famine and plague devastated the area: the municipal history says Freistett’s population fell from about 1,000 to fewer than 400. In Rheinbischofsheim, the Hanau-Lichtenberg era left a different imprint, including the castle built in the seventeenth century for the count’s residence. These local chapters explain why one itinerary cannot stand in for all nine villages.
Freistett offers a clear introduction on foot. Its three-kilometre history trail has 19 illustrated stations that explain local buildings and changes to the settlement pattern; the walk takes about two hours at an easy pace. The municipal sightseeing guide also points to village heritage routes and the Rheinau Museum of Rhine Navigation and Local History. The museum’s collection tells the story of inland shipping and life between the Black Forest and Alsace, but the city announced renovation and redesign work and reported the museum closed to visitors in 2025. Check its reopening status before making it a fixed part of a trip. Elsewhere, the Rhine landscape is the main attraction: floodplain forests, old channels, cycling routes and the fish ladder at the Freistett-Gambsheim border crossing show the river as both natural corridor and working boundary.
Rheinau’s economy reflects that geography. Agriculture and village services remain visible, while trade, industry, gravel extraction, the Freistett harbour and transport across the Rhine contribute to a broader employment base. Since 1975, the L87 has crossed the Rhine from Freistett toward Alsace, linking the town with the French road network. The city describes this crossing as a transport and business advantage, not just a scenic bridge. Residents and visitors also find schools, sports and leisure facilities, an indoor pool in Freistett, a public library and a programme of local markets and village events. Accommodation and food options are spread through the settlements, so it is useful to check the specific village before booking.
By road, the L87 links Freistett across the Rhine toward Gambsheim and Alsace; in the other direction it reaches the A5 near Achern. The nearest mainline rail connection identified by the city is at Achern, about 12 kilometres away. Bus and shared-mobility options serve parts of the municipality, but connections vary by village and time of day; consult the current Ortenau journey planner before travelling without a car. A good first visit pairs Freistett’s history trail with the river crossing and a cycle along the Rhine, then adds Rheinbischofsheim or one of the smaller villages on another day. Check floodplain access, ferry or cycling connections, museum reopening and seasonal services in advance.