The 11 Best Museums In Strasbourg
There are many historical cities in France, but few have a long and complex history stretching more than 2,000 years. Because of the "bourg" in the name, most people think it is German, but it is most definitely Strasbourg, France. It was once a powerful city within the Holy Roman Empire, and because of this and other influences, the architecture of the city is intriguing, to say the least.
Being a city of such importance throughout history has meant that art and architecture were seen as a way to show off for the rich and powerful. This has given Strasbourg some excellent museums that showcase famous local and international artists and architects. We've put together a list of the best and most interesting museums to check out when you visit Strasbourg, France.
The last thing you want to be doing while visiting these amazing and historical museums is pulling your luggage or large bags over the cobblestone streets, so store it at a Strasbourg bag storage service and see the sights without a care!
The Palais Rohan de Strasbourg
Near Strasbourg Station, the Rohan Palace is not just a museum, it is home to three museums. The palace was completed in 1742 and has hardly changed in three centuries. Located in the Historic District of Strasbourg along the River Ill, it was built in the image of the great mansions of Paris.
Make sure to explore the grounds surrounding the Palais, and not just the museums inside. It doesn't cost anything to do it and the architecture is very impressive. All of the three museums inside have separate entrance fees but if you buy tickets for all three, you only pay the price for two. If you visit on the first Sunday of the month it is free.
As big as it is, it is still missed by many because it sits kind of hidden in a very large square. But if you love architecture, history, and art make sure not to miss it.
Open Hours: Wednesday to Monday 10 am - 6 pm
Museum of Fine Arts
One of the three museums housed inside the Palais Rohan de Strasbourg, the Museum of Fine Arts (Musée des Beaux Arts) is located on the first floor. Within the museum's permanent collections are works from European masters such as Van Dyck, Raphael, Degas, and Goya. You will also find a fine collection of sculptures throughout the museum.
The permanent exhibit displays have works of art ranging from the Middle Ages to the 20th-century covering Romantics, Impressionists, and Classics. Many of the masterpieces once held in the museum were destroyed in the bombings during WWII. However, the Musée des Beaux Arts has since put together an impressive collection that you won't want to miss.
Open Hours: Wednesday to Monday 10 am - 6 pm
Museum of Decorative Arts
On the ground floor of the beautiful Palais Rohan, you will find the Musée des Arts Décoratifs which is divided into two parts. In the first part, you will be walking through the luxurious apartments where the Prince-Cardinals lived in the 18th-century. Grandiose beds and antique furniture still reside in the rooms, as well as everything needed to make the daily royal life more comfortable.
In the other part of the Musée des Arts Décoratifs is a collection of decorative arts from the city of Strasbourg itself. While most of the collection is from the 18th-century, the Golden Age of Strasbourg, there are some works that range from the 16th to the 19th-century. Some of what you will find include clocks, furniture, silverware and Hannong ceramics. There are even mechanical toys donated by Tomi Ungerer, one of the world's most famous children's book authors.
Open Hours: Wednesday to Monday 10 am - 6 pm
Archaeological Museum
Archaeological Museum, along with the Fine Arts Museum and Decorative Arts Museum, is situated in Palais Rohan and is one of Strasbourg's oldest museums. Its diverse collections contain over 600,000 artifacts and relics. As excavations uncover new material and artifacts, they are added to the Historical Museum in updated temporary exhibitions.
The Musée Archéologique allows people to view the history of Strasbourg and the surrounding Alsace region, which dates back to the prehistoric era. With exhibitions detailing the Bronze and Iron Ages, the early medieval period of the Middle Ages, and more modern periods, this museum holds some truly fascinating exhibits and displays you must check during your stay in Strasbourg.
Open Hours: Wednesday to Monday 10 am - 6 pm
Le Vaisseau (Discovery Center of Science and Technology)
If you are visiting Strasbourg with kids, check out this family-friendly museum for a day to remember. Le Vaisseau is a science discovery center that will keep the kids busy for hours exploring the world of science with fun and entertaining activities. And if your little ones grow tired of science, you can set them free in the massive garden.
Enjoy around 130 interactive displays and activities spread over 6 different themes such as construction, water, and plants & animals. There is an escape room, puppet shows, workshops, a 2D & 3D theater, and more. A big bonus is that most of the programs are offered in French, German, and English. There is such a wide range of things to do here, it will keep kids of all ages happy.
Open Hours: Wednesday, Saturday & Sunday 10 am - 6pm, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday 4 pm - 6 pm
School Holiday Hours: Tuesday to Sunday 10 am - 6 pm
Alsatian Museum
This intriguing museum is located in three historic houses dating back from the 15oos and 1600s. The three former homes are connected by a series of winding stairways and passages. The interiors of the houses have been reconstructed as almost perfect replications of what the shops and homes would have looked like.
The Alsatian Museum offers visitors a chance to see rooms filled with over 5,000 works of art, religious artifacts, and traditional Alsatian clothing. The absolutely charming collection gives one a look into the history of everyday life of the Alsace Region in the 18th and 19th-century. From the creaking floors to the blacksmithing forge, you will get a real sense of being transported back in time.
Open Hours: Wednesday to Monday 10 am - 6 pm
Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art
The Musée d'Art Moderne et Contemporain, on the bank of the River Ill, is one the largest modern art museums in France. The boldly futuristic glass building houses a large collection that contemporary arts fans flock to. Showcased here is a great mixed permanent collection of works of Kandinsky, Picasso and Monet, as well as more contemporary artists like Max Ernst.
The modern art museum's collection stretches beyond the canvas and sculptures to photography, with a total of 18,000 pieces. Also, the contemporary arts museum boasts an excellent cafe on the terrace, an auditorium for talks and shows, and an extensive library. This is the perfect modern art museum for art lovers, so be sure not to miss it.
Open Hours: Tuesday to Sunday 10 am - 6 pm
The Tomi Ungerer Museum
One of Strasbourg's more famous figures, Tomi Ungerer was an artist whose skill set defied categorization. The museum, overlooking the Canal du Faux-Rempart near the Strasbourg National Theatre, is also the International Illustration Center. The intimate collection is made up of 8,000 works of art such as drawings, sculptures, and posters, only 300 of which are on display on a thematic visitor's trail.
The artist was famous for his whimsical children's books like "The Three Robbers" and the Mellops series. His influence on the graphic arts sector has become a tradition in Strasbourg, inspiring workshops now held at the School of Decorative Arts. It is not the largest Strasbourg museum, but certainly one of the most interesting.
Open Hours: Wednesday to Monday 10 am - 6 pm
Medieval Museum (Musée de l'OEuvre Notre-Dame)
If you are looking for a Strasbourg museum that will take you back to the Middle Ages, then you need to visit this museum. You won't find any modern art in the Musée de l'OEuvre Notre Dame, but what you will find is possibly the finest collections of medieval art in Europe. Works from the most famous medieval period painter Sebastien Stoskopff show the importance of Strasbourg in the Holy Roman Empire.
You will also find one of the most beautiful collections of stained glass windows, including the Wissembourg Head (Tête de Christ), the oldest of the complete stained-glass windows. This historical museum will give you a great look into the city's origins.
Open Hours: Tuesday to Sunday 10 am - 6 pm
L'Aubette 1928
This is an interesting avant-garde art and architecture experiment created by Hans Jean Arp, Theo Van Doesburg, and Sophie Taeuber-Arp. Functional and conceptual art using bold geometric forms and colors are what you'll find in this "leisure complex". The museum is made up of an events room, cinema, and dance hall with cool multimedia, dance and other live performances.
The avant-garde museum is unlike any other in Strasbourg, and to make it even more enticing, it is completely free. Read our guide, compiled by Bounce, on free things to do in Strasbourg.
Open Hours: Wednesday to Sunday 2 pm - 6 pm
Print Room
You will find around 150,000 pieces of print work on not just paper but for fine arts and decorative arts. You can discover how techniques and styles changed over a span of five centuries. As you would suspect, printed paper works over half a millennium old require special handling.
Visiting the Print Room, you will be able to get up close to inspect and admire the delicate works. Seeing these documents so close will give you a better understanding of the incredible skill of the printers and drawers that created them. The museum is free, but you have to book in advance.
What are the best free museums in Strasbourg?
When it comes to free Strasbourg museums, unfortunately, there are very few. However, all museums in the city are free on the first Sunday of the month. But if you can't make it then, the two best museums free museums are the Print Room and L'Aubette 1928.
Which are the best museums in Downtown Strasbourg?
In the downtown area of Strasbourg your best choices are the Palais Rohan where you get 3 museums in one and the Medieval Museum right next door. These museums give you one of the best looks at the history of Strasbourg as well as a great diversity of art.
Are there any cheap museums in Strasbourg?
While there are only a few free museums in the city, most of the museums don't actually cost a lot to enter. The entry price normally won't cost much more than €7. The Tomi Ungerer Museum and Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art are two of the most interesting for art lovers.
Modern Art and More
Art has been a part of the culture in Strasbourg since its beginnings and remains so to this day. Whether you are into history, medieval or modern art, science, or you just love to admire Gothic architecture, Strasbourg has an impressive collection of museums that will satisfy your desires.
