The best museums in Strasbourg

The multiple spaces dedicated to archaeology, history, and modern art, mean that it’s not hard to transport yourself back in time with a visit to Strasbourg. As the capital of France’s Alsace region, Strasbourg is filled with museums celebrating the area’s culture. With museums in ancient slaughterhouses and exhibitions ranging from antiquity to contemporary, there’s something to suit every taste. To help you maximise your time in one of the most historic cities in France, here is our pick of some of the best museums in Strasbourg.

Musee d'art moderne et contemporain

One of the most versatile museums in Strasbourg, the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art first opened in 1998 and is a popular choice for both artists and art lovers. Permanent exhibitions include works by Max Ernst, Gustave Doré, and Vassily Kandinsky and art productions are also held at the museum regularly. For those less keen on modern and contemporary artwork, there are also photography rooms, a library, an auditorium and a restaurant for you to sample. When you’re finished exploring inside, why not take a stroll along the River Ill where the museum is located and investigate part of Strasbourg’s historical neighbourhood.

Musée Alsacien

Inhabiting three former houses, the Alsace Museum is connected by a maze of stairways and passages. The museum displays over 5,000 artefacts, all designed to bring to life 18^th and 19^th century Alsace for visitors. Across the 30 rooms, furniture, homeware, toys, traditional costumes, tools, and sacred artefacts are on display. This, combined with the carefully reconstructed interiors helps to create a sense that you’ve stepped into another world. As well as the charming atmosphere, frequent craft workshops are also held. Extensive effort has also been made to open out the exhibition rooms and make them as accessible for visitors requiring a wheelchair as possible.

Musée Historique

Just like the Louvre Lens, a former mine-yard turned museum, the Musée Historique is a former 16^th slaughterhouse turned museum. A visit to the Museum of History is the perfect introduction to discovering Strasbourg. Through 1325 artefacts, visitors are presented with the city’s story, starting from the Middle Ages and moving through the contemporary period. As an added bonus, the Musée Historique, is only a 4-minute walk away from the Strasbourg Cathedral, making it a great way to soak up plenty of culture in one hit!

Musée de l'Œuvre Notre-Dame

Situated on the doorstep of the stunning Notre Dame Cathedral, the Musée de l’Oeuvre Notre-Dame is home to one of the finest medieval art collections in all of Europe. Artefacts include the Wissembourg Head, one of the oldest know stained glass Windows, and the work of famous medieval painter Sébastien Stoskopff. The museum also has a stunning Gothic garden and courtyard which are not only wonderful in their own right, but offer insight into the history of Strasbourg.

Musée Tomi Ungerer

Entirely dedicated to the work of Alsatian illustrator Tomi Ungerer, the Musée Tomi Ungerer is in the centre of Strasburg, opposite the National Theatre.  Ungerer’s Original drawings, sculptures, and sketches, totalling 8000, are housed in Villa Greiner, and the exhibitions change regularly in order to display them all. As so few places in Europe are dedicated to the art of illustration, a visit to this museum is not to be missed!

Musée des Beaux-Arts

Located on the first floor of the Rohan Palace, the Museum of Fine Arts offers its visitors a panoramic view of the history of painting in Europe. The collection includes works by the likes of Botticelli, Rubens and Canaletto and explores the different schools throughout the centuries. Not only are the exhibitions incredible, but a visit to the museum fits in beautifully with the displays at the Musée de l'Œuvre Notre-Dame and the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art. If you want a complete history of artwork in Europe, these museums are not to be missed.

Le Vaisseau

Explore the world of science at Le Vaisseau! Aimed at children, this museum is a hands-on science centre filled with 130 interactive elements that everyone will love. As all exhibitions are in English, French, and German, you can really get stuck in and have fun. Visitors will be able to discover more about construction, water, the human body, the animal kingdom, and mathematics and logic There is also a 5,000 m² garden to enjoy.

Musée Zoologique

A visit to the Zoological Museum of Strasbourg will also give you a chance to explore the city’s university campus. Built in the early 18th century, the museum has an impressive collection of over 1,800 birds, 1,500 mammals and 60,000 marine invertebrates including unique fish and reptiles. There is also a section dedicated to extinct or fast disappearing animals.

Musée Archéologique de Strasbourg

Also located in the Palais Rohan (this time in the basement), Strasbourg’s Archaeological Museum is perfect for visitors who want a detailed history of the region. The collections explore the regions unique history, dating back to around 600,000 BC. There is also a special focus throughout the museum on the Bronze and Iron Ages, as well as the medieval period in Alsace. The frequent archaeological excavations in Strasbourg and Alsace mean that the collections of artefacts are regularly updated, and the museum frequently holds temporary exhibitions based on these discoveries. 

Musée des Arts Décoratifs

Composed of sumptuous apartments of former cardinals, the Musée des Arts Décoratifs gives visitors a sense that nothing has been changed for centuries as they walk into each room. Displays include everything from tapestries to tableware all from the 17th to the 19th century. This intimate experience helps to create a sense as to how the lives of the wealthy differed in public and in private. If you love history and beautiful things, this is one museum that you shouldn’t miss!

Immerse yourself in the culture of Strasbourg with Eurotunnel Le Shuttle

From the iconic Louvre to the Robert Tatin Museum, a visit to France is filled with history. Begin your journey to Strasbourg with Eurotunnel Le Shuttle, taking you to Calais from Folkestone in just 35 minutes. If you have time, why not stop in Péronne or Thiepval on your way to Strasbourg and visit the fascinating Museum of the Great War.