Ancien siège de la confrérie des bergers de la Basse Alsace

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Nothing is known about the origins of this brotherhood, which in the mid-18th century included shepherds from almost 200 communes.

Pfaffenhoffen was chosen as the seat of the brotherhood, as it had been since before 1746, because it was the most conveniently located. This suggests that the locality was at the approximate center of the 200 communes grouped together by the brotherhood. That's why it's called the "Confrérie des bergers de la Basse Alsace".

The brotherhood claimed to have founded the Pfaffenhoffen wool market. However, this market may have existed as early as the 15th century. The brotherhood therefore dates back to this period. It included all shepherds in Lower Alsace, even those from outside the county, whether Catholic or Protestant, their servants and boys, as well as those wishing to become shepherds. The Counts of Hanau-Lichtenberg exercised patronage. They delegated their powers to the Bailiff of Pfaffenhoffen, who received an indemnity.

The brotherhood met annually on the day after Michaelmas, September 30, at an inn in Pfaffenhoffen. The latter was the Auberge de la Charrue, but only after 1651, as it did not yet exist in that year. A second meeting was held on October 18, the day of the St. Luc market. It seems that later, around 1760, the two meetings were replaced by a single meeting held on October 17, the day before the St. Luc market.

No trace of the brotherhood can be found after the French Revolution.

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