A trip to a museum in Colmar and the surrounding area

Alsatian art: art museums in and around Colmar

While Colmar's art museums are sure to delight all lovers of masterpieces, the town's picturesque lanes will also appeal to lovers in search of a beautiful atmosphere.

To immerse yourself in the history of art, visit the Musée Unterlinden. No sooner have you entered than the visit has already begun: housed in the former convent of Colmar's Dominican nuns, the museum is housed in a magnificent Gothic building! Inside, the collections of art from the Middle Ages, the Renaissance and Rhenish art take you back centuries. Martin Schongauer, but also Picasso, Monet or Dubuffet... All the great names in art are represented! The highlight of the visit? The Issenheim Altarpiece, with its painted panels and magnificently preserved sculptures.

If you're a lover of the arts and history, then continue your cultural escapade with the Hansi Museum. A true ambassador of Alsatian traditions, this Colmar-born artist devoted his life to drawing and painting Alsace in watercolour. His contributions to local art will leave you breathless: postcards, posters and even restaurant menus... Any medium was good enough to immortalise local traditions!

Journey through the centuries: history museums around Colmar

In Colmar and the surrounding area, you don't need a machine to travel back in time!

If you're passionate about passing on know-how, then the Musée des Métiers du Bois et du Patrimoine should be just what you're looking for. Follow your guide: he's passionate about the subject and will give you a demonstration of the tools and machines that were once used to work wood. An old mechanical saw from the last century, a clogmaker's workshop and a collection of toys from all eras... You'll find everything you need in the museums near Colmar!

Are you more interested in French history? In Orbey, rediscover the highlights of the First World War on the Linge battlefield. Hike between the old French and German positions, wind your way through the trenches, explore the blockhouses and immerse yourself in the daily life of a soldier of the time. It's sure to be an emotional visit!

The art of living in and around Colmar: our museums dedicated to gastronomy

In Alsace, gastronomy is an art form that is taken very seriously. And Colmar is no exception!

Are you a fan of sweet treats? The Choco Story museum offers you an adventure into the world of chocolate! After a visit to the museum (with plenty of tastings!) to discover the history of cocoa and how it's made, put yourself in the shoes of a master chocolatier during a hands-on workshop! You'll learn how to make chocolate bars, coated marshmallows and praline chocolates, all of which will hold no secrets for you.

Wine and spirits enthusiasts take note: in the heart of Colmar, immerse yourself in Alsace's terroir at the Musée des vins d'Alsace. There's an exhibition on the history of local wines and a range of interactive experiences! Want to extend your themed visit? Just 30 minutes from Colmar, the Musée des Eaux de Vie tells you all about the history and distillation stages of this Alsatian tradition. Your guided tour ends in the best possible way: with a tasting of various eaux de vie* (and syrup for the youngest members of the tribe).

To complete your Alsatian menu, why not visit the Maison du Fromage de la Vallée de Munster museum? Demonstrations of the ancestral gesture that makes this emblematic cheese so delicate, discovery of the production process and tasting according to the rules of the art... You're in for a treat in the museums around Colmar!

*Alcohol abuse is dangerous for your health, and should be consumed in moderation.

: Colmar is in Alsace, in north-east France. It is close to major Alsatian cities such as Mulhouse and Strasbourg.

: Colmar's most visited museum is undoubtedly the Musée Unterlinden. Housed in the former convent of Colmar's Dominican nuns, it boasts impressive collections of works of art dating from the Middle Ages to the 20th century. The highlight of the collections is the Issenheim Altarpiece, painted and sculpted in 1510 by the artists Nicolas de Haguenau and Grünewald. The Musée Unterlinden also houses works by the painter Martin Schongauer, as well as Impressionist and contemporary art: Picasso, Monet and Dubuffet are all part of the collection!

Here are some other emblematic museums to visit in the centre of Colmar:

- The Hansi museum
- The Bartholdi Museum - Auguste Bartholdi's birthplace
- The animated toy and train museum
- The Museum of Natural History and Ethnography
- Museum of municipal factories
- The Choco Story Museum (very popular with children!)

: Here's a tip for those who love unusual finds! As well as the Musée Unterlinden and the other museums in the town centre, there are many other collections to discover in the surrounding area.

Here is a list of museums to discover within thirty minutes of Colmar:

- Munster Valley Cheese House Museum, in Munster
- The Musée des Eaux de Vie, near Orbey
- The Linge Memorial Museum, Orbey
- The Alsace Ecomuseum, in Ungersheim
- Museum of Woodworking and Heritage, Labaroche
- The Colmar Pocket Memorial Museum, in Turckheim
- Alsace vineyard and wine museum, Kientzheim
- The Kaysersberg Historical Museum, in Kaysersberg

: Need a city trip? With its typical narrow streets and delicious cuisine, Colmar is the perfect city for a multi-day getaway! After visiting the Unterlinden Museum or the Hansi Village, set off to discover the city's other treasures.

Here is a list of activities to try out in Colmar during a cultural break:

- Explore the historic centre, with its medieval streets and beautiful half-timbered houses
- Take a boat trip on the Lauch to discover Little Venice
- Admire the Place des Dominicains and the Place de l'Ancienne Douane
- Drive along the Alsace Wine Route
- Take a souvenir photo of the Saint-Martin collegiate church and the Pfister house

: For your museum visit, it's best to book in advance! Whatever time of year you plan to visit the museum, buying your tickets in advance will help you avoid queuing if it gets too busy. This is particularly useful for the Musée Unterlinden, one of Colmar's most popular museums. For guided tours and hands-on workshops, we also advise you to book in advance, as places are often limited.