Altkirch (, ; ; Frainc-Comtou: Artçhelitçhe) is a commune in the Haut-Rhin department in Alsace in north-eastern France.
The town is traditionally regarded as the capital of Sundgau.
The name of the commune means old church ( or ÃÂlta Kìrech; ).
In the 1370s, the citizens of Altkirch battled and won against a company of Gugler mercenaries.
Its inhabitants are known as Altkirchois.
The resident population number of 5,700 is rather deceptive as some 15,500 people will be in town on a typical working day (4500 working, 3000 studying, 3000 for medical treatment and another 5000 divided between shopping, administrative offices, cultural and sporting activities).