Located where Germany, France and Switzerland meet, this design-focused town is home to the Vitra Campus, with its modern architecture and furniture museum.
Weil am Rhein sits at Germany's southwestern edge, where the borders of France, Switzerland, and Germany intersect. This town of 30,000 residents has Frank Gehry's curved white museum building, Zaha Hadid's angular fire station, a 229-meter pedestrian bridge connecting three countries, and Rhine River parks with waterfront cafes.
Location at the Three-Country Corner
You can walk or cycle between Germany, France, and Switzerland in a single day from Weil am Rhein, with Basel 20 minutes away by car. The town extends along the eastern bank of the Rhine River, with the Black Forest's foothills rising to the east. The mild climate throughout the year makes grape growing possible in local vineyards.
Vitra Campus Architecture
The Vitra Design Museum complex showcases works from multiple renowned architects. Frank Gehry designed the main museum building, which contains furniture exhibitions and design collections. As you walk through the campus, you'll see Zaha Hadid's angular fire station building, Tadao Ando's minimalist conference pavilion, and the 30-meter Vitra Slide Tower by Carsten Höller. The museum opens daily from 10 AM to 6 PM, with admission at €11 for basic entry.
Transportation Links
Line 8 of the Basel tram system takes you directly to Switzerland. From the town's railway station, you can catch regional German trains, and it takes 15 minutes to drive to EuroAirport Basel Mulhouse Freiburg. You can rent bicycles in the town center and ride on paths that connect all three countries.
Rhine River and Recreation
At the Laguna Badeland water center, you can swim in outdoor pools and wave pools throughout the year. The Rheinpark extends for 2 kilometers along the river with paved walking paths, benches, and grass areas for picnics. In summer, you can take boat trips on the Rhine from the town harbor, with most journeys lasting 1-2 hours.
Local Culture and Museums
Weil am Rhein has four museums: the Vitra Design Museum, Museum at Lindenplatz with its town history exhibits, Gallery Stapflehus showing contemporary art, and the Agricultural Museum displaying farming equipment and techniques. The town's food scene reflects its location - you'll find German schnitzel houses next to French bistros and Swiss-style cafes.
