Civil Airfield Haguenau (LFSH)

Haguenau is the northernmost sizable town in Alsace; the airfield is a typical provincial field, with no ATS, no IFR, but also hardly any restrictions and nearly 1000 m of asphalt runway. No PPR required; so read the VAC, check NOTAMs, file a flight plan and go. The field is NOT 'French-only'; you can do the radio (Air/Air) in English as well. Better, of course, to use French if you can. When approaching from the north, watch LF-D526 (often active on weekdays). According to the AIP the preferential runway is 03, but the locals sometimes use 21 even in calm winds. Observe the noise abatement areas in the traffic pattern. 'Piste dégagée' applies only once you have also crossed the grass runway and reached the parallel asphalt taxiway. Parking is on the grass opposite the fuel station and the Aeroclub building. Remember to close your flight plan! Avgas 100LL (no more UL91) and AKI93 (Mogas) are available, but there is no self-serve, so if you want to fuel it’s best to coordinate in advance with the club office for someone to enable the pump and handle payment (credit card accepted). Landing and parking fees (very modest) must now be paid ONLY via Aerops. That works smoothly.

Exit airside through a gate in the fence. To get back in, use the first 5 digits of the airfield frequency.

Right next door is the restaurant 'Le Saint-Ex', located in one of five somewhat quirky 'triangle houses'. Unassuming from the outside, but quite refined and nice inside. It’s relatively small, and especially on weekends it’s often full of people who have nothing to do with flying, so you really should reserve. Also—as is common in France—try to hit the lunch window... at 14:00h lunch service ends. The food is mostly not the typical rustic Alsatian fare, but rather mixed French. Not exactly cheap, but good. Important: check opening days in advance; currently closed at lunchtime on Tuesday and Wednesday. There are numerous other lunch options within walking distance (see Google Maps), including:

'Il Giardino d'Italia' — Italian/pizza — 150 m 'Lio' — French — 350 m 'L'Initiative' — French (simple) — 400 m 'La Squadra' — Italian/pizza — 1200 m 'Le Repère Des Sorcières' — French — 1200 m 'La Petite Auberge' — Alsatian and rustic — 1600 m (this one is in the other direction; head southwest)

All have different (and in some cases very limited) opening hours/days. Better not to rely on Google/websites; just call briefly.

There is also a hotel right at the field ('Champ d'Alsace'). Its restaurant opens only for events.

If you want to go into town: there is also a bus connection (Line 1) into the city, except on Sundays. You generally need to walk about 500 m along the airfield road to the main road, then another 500 m north to the stop 'Branly'. (The stops closer to the field are served only infrequently.) Tickets are sold on the bus. The town is nice for a short day trip; you can stroll and shop especially on and around Place de la République. The restaurant 'Le Binome' has very good reviews. Overall, however, in terms of size and atmosphere Haguenau cannot compete with Strasbourg or Colmar.