Gengenbach: The German town used as a film set by Tim Burton

Gengenbach, a town of 11,000 residents located at the edge of Germany’s Black Forest, served as the cinematic backdrop for the 2005 film ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’. Directed by Tim Burton, the town portrayed the fictional Düsseldorf, the home of the character Augustus Gloop.

The town is characterized by its historic architecture, including a 18th-century town hall, pastel-colored facades, and half-timbered houses in alleys such as Engelgasse and Höllengasse. Historically, Gengenbach was a free imperial city of the Holy Roman Empire from 1360 until the early 1800s.

Beyond its picturesque center, the area transitions into the Ortenau wine region of Baden, known for producing Riesling, Grauburgunder, and Spätburgunder. The town also hosts a large Advent calendar display using the windows of its town hall.