A vestige of a bygone era, the last telephone box in France, located in the small village of Murbach (Haut-Rhin), continues to ring and attracts the curiosity of visitors. This survivor of the past, witness to a time when mobile phones were not yet omnipresent, has become a true local symbol, even a national and international phenomenon.
An unusual heritage in full light
Although it does not rival the imposing square towers in pink sandstone of the abbey founded in the 8th century, the telephone box of Murbach is today the centre of attention. Since its status as "the last telephone box in France" was highlighted, the village has seen its popularity grow.
To immortalize this historic moment, the municipality installed a register inside the phone booth itself, where residents and curious onlookers recorded each call received. "We put a sheet of paper to note where the calls came from. We received calls from Brittany, Occitanie, but also from Réunion Island and even Colombia! It's incredible," exclaimed Maud Hart, the village mayor.
A number that has become cult
The mayor was quick to emphasize the importance of this unusual heritage and even took the opportunity to reveal the phone number: 03.89.74.11.53 . A way to prolong the story and perhaps encourage even more calls, thus reinforcing the appeal of this unique phone booth.
This media exposure could well play in favor of maintaining this relic of the past. Indeed, the operator Orange, which was theoretically supposed to remove all telephone booths from the territory, could review its decision in the face of this unprecedented craze.
The fate of the last telephone box in France now rests on this popular enthusiasm, which makes Murbach a point of curiosity for lovers of nostalgia and heritage.
