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Strasbourg is a city where history meets art. From the stunning Strasbourg Cathedral to the charming streets of Petite France, the city is a haven for culture lovers.

But beyond its architectural wonders and its world-famous Christmas market, Strasbourg is home to some truly remarkable museums, many of which are housed in historic buildings.

Whether you’re a history buff, an art lover, or traveling with kids, there’s a museum here for everyone. Read on to find a local’s picks for the best museums in Strasbourg.

1. Musée Alsacien

For a deep dive into local culture, the Musée Alsacien is a must.

The museum was founded in 1907, at a time of intense cultural pride and political tension. Alsace had been a contested region for centuries, caught between French and German control.

After the Franco-Prussian War, Alsace became part of the German Empire. Locals wanted to preserve their unique traditions and way of life, and thus, the museum was born.

Housed in traditional half-timbered buildings, the Alsatian Museum immerses you in daily Alsatian life from the 17th to 20th centuries.

Admire folk costumes, furniture, toys, household and agricultural objects that reflect the region’s identity. Through themes like housing, life stages, religion, and wine production, the museum tells the story of Alsace’s rich culture.

What I love most about the museum is the reconstructed interiors, including a stùb (a traditional Alsatian living room), a rustic kitchen, and even an old apothecary’s shop.

It’s an excellent spot to discover the French region of Alsace. It’s also the first museum I always take visitors to when they come to Strasbourg!

Note: The museum temporarily closed in July 2025 for renovations and is set to reopen in 2027.

Address: 23-25 Quai Saint-Nicolas, 67000 Strasbourg

2. Palais Rohan

The majestic Palais Rohan, right next to the Cathédrale Notre-Dame-de-Strasbourg, is actually home to three of the best Strasbourg museums.

Built between 1732 and 1742 by royal architect Robert de Cotte, the palace once served as the residence of the powerful prince-bishops and cardinals of the House of Rohan, an influential French noble family from Brittany.

Designed to rival the grand mansions of Paris, the Rohan Palace stands today as a masterpiece of French Baroque architecture.

Over the centuries, its opulent halls welcomed some of France’s most famous figures, including Louis XV, Marie Antoinette, Napoleon, Joséphine, and Charles X. Remarkably, the palace has remained largely unchanged since its completion.

The Strasbourg Fine Arts Museum moved into the palace in 1889, followed by the Archaeological Museum in 1913 and the Decorative Arts Museum in 1924.

Today, all three museums coexist under one roof. It’s one of the rare places in Strasbourg where you can explore centuries of art, history, and design in a single visit (and do it all in one unforgettable setting).

Musée des Beaux-Arts

Photo credit: Musées de la Ville de Strasbourg

On the first floor of the Palais Rohan, the Musée des Beaux-Arts has an impressive collection of fine art that spans from the 14th to the 19th centuries.

Here you can admire the works of renowned European masters such as Giotto, Botticelli, Raphael, Rubens, Goya, Van Dyck, Delacroix and Courbet.

Among the museum’s highlights are Nicolas de Largillière’s masterpiece La Belle Strasbourgeoise, Giotto’s Crucifixion, and Portrait of a young woman by Raphael.

Insider Tip: Pick up the free introductory booklet at the entrance. Available in French, German, Italian, and English, it guides you through seven essential masterpieces selected by the museum’s curators. It’s perfect if you’re short on time or visiting for the first time.

Musée Archéologique

Step even further back in time at the Musée Archéologique, located in the cellars of the Palais Rohan.

Founded in 1807, it’s not only one of the most important archaeological museums in France, but also the oldest museum in Strasbourg.

The collection traces the history of Strasbourg and Alsace from prehistoric times through the early Middle Ages. You’ll find fascinating artifacts like ancient tools, Merovingian period jewelry, Roman relics, Bronze Age ceramics, and medieval treasures.

One of the Archaeological Museum’s most remarkable pieces is the much-studied stele of the Roman legionary Caius Largennius who served the Emperor Augusta.

Musée des Arts Décoratifs

The Musée des Arts Décoratifs is the third museum housed within the Palais Rohan and one of its most visually stunning.

Located on the ground floor, it unfolds across the former apartments of the Rohan cardinals, including the grand Synod Hall, sumptuous libraries, and spaces once used as stables and courtrooms.

The decorative arts collections are displayed primarily in the palace’s former stables wing. Not to miss is the exceptional collection of Strasbourg pottery from the Hannong brothers’ porcelain and earthenware factory, alongside furniture, ceramics, clocks, and silverware dating from the 17th to the 19th centuries.

The prince-bishops’ apartments have been carefully restored to mirror their appearance before the bombings of 1870 and 1944.

Ornate stucco, frescoes, trompe-l’œil, tapestries, chandeliers, chinoiserie, and period furnishings of the typical Rococo style are all to be admired.

I always find it fascinating to compare the opulence of these interiors with the far more modest spaces at the Musée Alsacien.

Address: 2 Pl. du Château, 67000 Strasbourg

3. Musée de l’Oeuvre Notre-Dame

Just steps from the Palais Rohan, the Musée de l’Oeuvre Notre-Dame is a must-visit for fans of medieval and Renaissance art.

From the 13th to the 16th centuries, Strasbourg was one of the most important artistic centers of the Holy Roman Empire, and the museum reflects that legacy.

Sculptures from the Strasbourg Cathedral sit alongside the finest examples of Upper Rhine art, including paintings, stained glass, altarpieces, tapestries, and Gothic architectural drawings.

Not to be overlooked are the sculptures by Nicolas Gerhaert of Leiden, paintings by Conrad Witz, Hans Baldung Grien, and Sébastien Stoskopff, as well as stained glass windows by Peter Hemmel of Andlau, including the remarkable Wissembourg “Tête de Christ” window, one of the oldest known stained-glass works.

Don’t miss the museum’s reconstructed Gothic garden, a serene space featuring plants that would have grown in the Middle Ages.

Address: 3 Pl. du Château, 67000 Strasbourg

4. Musée d’Art Moderne et Contemporain (MAMCS)

Opened in 1998, the Musée d’Art Moderne et Contemporain (MAMCS) is Strasbourg’s hub for modern and contemporary art. It boasts a permanent collection of over 18,000 works spanning from the late 19th century to today.

The collection spreads over two floors, encompassing Impressionism, Surrealism, New Realism, Abstraction, Fluxus, Arte Povera, and more.

Paintings, sculptures, engravings, drawings, photographs, and installations showcase renowned artists, including Monet, Picasso, Rodin, Gustave Doré, Sisley, Arp, Gauguin, Beckmann, Kandinsky, Kupka, Buren, Séchas, and many others.

Temporary exhibitions rotate three to four times a year, so be sure to see what’s on during your visit.

The museum itself is a work of art, with a striking glass facade overlooking the River Ill. Before you enter the museum, you’ll notice the exterior walls are covered in a 1,000 m² black-and-white mural, created in 2008 by the art collective, Faile. Don’t forget to look up to spot the bronze horse standing on the roof.

The plaza in front of the MAMCS, Place Jean-Arp, has become a Strasbourg hotspot for skateboarding and rollerblading.

After exploring the galleries, I recommend heading upstairs to the museum café. Its terrace overlooks Petite France and offers the perfect spot for a coffee and pastry break during your day in Strasbourg.

Insider Tip: For street art enthusiasts, check out this interactive map: Strasbourg Street Art Map to discover murals and installations throughout the city.

Address: 1 Pl. Hans-Jean-Arp, 67000 Strasbourg

5. Musée Historique de la Ville de Strasbourg

historical museum of the city of strasbourg

In the historic Grandes Boucheries de Strasbourg, a former butcher hall dating back to 1587, the Musée Historique de la Ville de Strasbourg traces the city’s story from the Middle Ages to the present.

Founded in 1920 after Alsace returned to France, the museum has evolved from a local history collection to a comprehensive exploration of Strasbourg’s urban, social, and European heritage.

The museum covers the city’s transformation over nine centuries, from medieval guilds and Gutenberg’s early printing press to industrialization, the Franco-Prussian War, German annexation, and both World Wars, including the city’s liberation in 1944.

You’ll discover over 1700 displayed works, including everyday objects, military artifacts, and artworks, as well as 9 interactive and digital stations, and temporary exhibitions.

Don’t miss the centerpiece: the 72 m² relief map of Strasbourg, commissioned by Louis XV in 1727, which reconstructs the city’s defenses and urban layout.

Insider Tip: If time allows, I highly recommend stopping by Le 5e Lieu for its free permanent exhibition, “A Journey to Strasbourg.” Located at the foot of the Strasbourg Cathedral, it’s the perfect stop to complement your journey through the city’s history.

The exhibition lets you discover Strasbourg through its landscapes, architecture, and heritage. It takes you from the historic city into its future and shows how Strasbourg continues to live and evolve.

Le 5e Lieu also hosts an excellent program of temporary exhibitions, workshops, and themed tours. It’s a fantastic option if you’re looking for more unique things to do in Strasbourg.

Address: 2 Rue du Vieux-Marché-aux-Poissons, 67000 Strasbourg

6. Tomi Ungerer Museum

After a lineup of historic institutions, I have to mention the much more modern Tomi Ungerer Museum. Opened in 2007, it celebrates the life and work of Strasbourg’s legendary artist. Known for his witty, bold, and often provocative style, Ungerer’s work spans children’s books, political posters, satire, and graphic art.

Set within the 19th-century Villa Greiner, the museum was the first in France devoted exclusively to 20th-century contemporary illustration. Inside, you’ll find 14,000 drawings donated by Ungerer himself, alongside 1,500 toys from his personal collection.

Also on display are over 2,000 works from French and international illustrators, including R.O. Blechman, André François, Saul Steinberg, Françoise Holle, Beatrice Alemagna, and William Steig.

The museum hosts three exhibitions per year, exploring Ungerer’s provocative themes alongside monographic and contemporary showcases of other artists.

Strasbourg has long been a hub for illustration, from the printing press and native Gustave Doré to Tomi Ungerer and the influential illustration workshop founded at the École des Arts Décoratifs in 1975. The Tomi Ungerer Museum is one of the best places to experience that artistic legacy firsthand.

Address: 2 Av. de la Marseillaise, 67000 Strasbourg

7. Château Musée Vodou

If you’re looking for unusual things to do in Strasbourg, the Château Musée Vodou is unlike anything else in the city.

Inside a former 19th-century water tower, you’ll find the largest collection of West African vodou objects in the world. More than 1,000 artifacts fill the museum: statues, masks, amulets, costumes, and ritual objects originating from Togo, Benin, Ghana, and Nigeria.

Each piece carries deep cultural meaning. These objects once played vital roles in religious ceremonies, healing practices, protection rituals, and spiritual traditions often misunderstood in the West.

The entire collection comes from a deeply passionate collector whose travels across Africa inspired the museum.

Address: 4 Rue de Koenigshoffen, 67000 Strasbourg

8. Musée Zoologique

Recently reopened after six years of renovation, Strasbourg’s Zoological Museum is a must for curious minds of all ages.

Housed in a historic University of Strasbourg building, this natural history museum holds one of France’s richest zoological collections, dating back to the 18th century. Spread across three floors, more than 1,800 specimens bring biodiversity to life through taxidermy, skeletons, and interactive displays.

The collection traces its origins to the natural history cabinet of Jean Hermann and offers a fascinating look at the evolution of natural sciences and how ecosystems function.

You’ll encounter birds, mammals, insects, and marine invertebrates, alongside truly rare specimens, including a coelacanth, a night parrot, a “rat king,” and species now extinct, such as the thylacine, great auk, and passenger pigeon.

Insider Tip: Combine this visit with a stop at the Strasbourg Planetarium, located just next door. It also recently reopened in 2023 and features an immersive dome theater that brings astronomy to life. They show some spectacular films suitable for both children and adults.

Address: 29 Bd de la Victoire, 67000 Strasbourg

9. MM Park France

History buffs, especially those fascinated by World War II, will appreciate MM Park France, one of the largest WWII museums in Europe. Opened in 2017, this expansive 7,000-square-meter museum sits just north of Strasbourg in La Wantzenau.

Inside, you’ll find an impressive collection of tanks and armored vehicles, uniforms, weapons, aircraft, cars, and motorcycles, displayed across six themed rooms dedicated to Alsace, Germany, Bulgaria, Russia, Italy, and the Sussex Plan.

MM Park France is also family-friendly with a dedicated play area keeps younger visitors engaged. If you’re feeling adventurous, there are also several attractions including 2 unique flight simulators, a fighter-style tree-climbing course, precision shooting, and a ball pit.

Address: 4 Rue Gutenberg, 67610 La Wantzenau

10. Le Vaisseau

museums in strasbourg france — Photo credit: Le Vaisseau

Finally, Le Vaisseau rounds out the list as Strasbourg’s premier science museum for kids. And honestly, adults will have just as much fun.

Dedicated to science and technology for children ages 3 to 12, Le Vaisseau is all about hands-on discovery. Here, nothing sits behind glass. Interactive exhibits explore everything from water, nature and light to mathematics and digital technology. Everything is presented in French, English, and German.

Beyond the exhibitions, Le Vaisseau hosts workshops, shows, and special events that keep curious minds engaged. Outside, there’s a garden with science and sensory trails, plus a pond and orchard that extend the experience beyond the walls.

If you’re visiting Strasbourg with kids, Le Vaisseau is an easy yes.

Address: 1 Bis Rue Philippe Dollinger, 67100 Strasbourg

Map of Strasbourg Museums

Tips for Visiting Strasbourg Museums

Bundle your visits. Planning to see more than one museum? Pick up a Strasbourg Museum Pass (1 day: €16 / €8 reduced; 3 days: €20 / €12 reduced). Passes are available at participating museums and the tourist office.
Check opening hours. Many museums close on Mondays or Tuesdays and sometimes during the afternoon for lunch, so a little planning goes a long way.
Family-friendly options. Museums like Le Vaisseau and the Zoological Museum are perfect if you’re traveling with kids.
Don’t skip temporary exhibitions. Strasbourg museums often host rotating exhibitions that are worth seeing. Always worth a look before you go.
Free admission. Strasbourg’s museums are free on the first Sunday of the month and during the European Heritage Days (Journées européennes du patrimoine). Just expect bigger crowds.
Peruse the gift shops. Museum shops are fantastic places to find Strasbourg souvenirs from art books and prints to locally-inspired keepsakes you won’t see elsewhere.

Whether you’re in town for a quick weekend or settling in for a longer stay, these 10 museums will give you a deeper appreciation for Strasbourg’s identity, art, and history.

What are your favorite museums in Strasbourg? Let me know in the comments below.

The 10 Best Museums in Strasbourg

1. Musée Alsacien