3 pl de la Grande Boucherie
Tel. 03 88 52 50 00
Open: Tue- Sun
Closed: Jan 1, Good Fri, May 1, Nov 1 & 11, Dec 25
Official site
The Musée Historique de la Ville de Strasbourg, commonly known as the Musée Historique, is a premier cultural institution dedicated to chronicling the multifaceted history of Strasbourg, a city at the crossroads of Europe. Located at 2 Rue du Vieux-Marché-aux-Poissons in the heart of the Grande Île UNESCO World Heritage district, it occupies a prime position along the Ill River, just steps from the iconic Cathédrale Notre-Dame and Petite France neighborhood. Opened in 1920 and fully renovated in two phases (2007 for medieval to Revolution exhibits, 2013 for modern history), the museum spans nine centuries of urban, political, economic, social, and cultural evolution—from Strasbourg's Roman origins as Argentoratum to its role as a cradle of European institutions like the Council of Europe and European Parliament. Housing over 1,700 artifacts, including interactive displays and digital installations, it attracts around 50,000 visitors annually, blending scholarly depth with engaging, citizen-focused narratives. As of October 2025, the museum remains a vibrant hub for reflection on Strasbourg's identity as a "European capital," with free entry on the first Sunday of each month and ongoing cultural programming that invites visitors to "live the city" through themed events. Its motto, "questioning the past to understand the present," underscores a ludique (playful) approach, making it ideal for families, history enthusiasts, and those seeking context for Strasbourg's borderland legacy amid Franco-German reconciliation.
Strasbourg's turbulent past—shifting between Holy Roman Empire,
French, and German control—mirrors the museum's own evolution. The
collections originated in the 19th century from civic donations by
Alsatian burghers, amassing artifacts that captured the city's free
imperial status (from 1262) and its Protestant Reformation under
Johannes Gutenberg, who printed his Bible here in 1455. Formally
established in 1920 amid post-World War I French reclamation of Alsace,
the museum was housed in the Renaissance-era Grande Boucherie (Great
Slaughterhouse), a 1587 structure symbolizing medieval commerce, to
safeguard these treasures during the interwar tensions.
World War II
brought peril: annexed by Nazi Germany in 1940, the museum's holdings
were dispersed or hidden to evade looting, with many items relocated to
safer sites in unoccupied France. Post-liberation in 1944, restoration
began, but comprehensive renewal waited until the 2000s. The 2007 phase
revamped medieval-to-Revolutionary galleries with modern museography,
emphasizing interactive storytelling. The 2013 reopening extended
coverage to the 20th–21st centuries, incorporating European integration
narratives donated by institutions like the European Court of Human
Rights. Classified as a municipal museum under the City of Strasbourg's
cultural network, it has since hosted archaeological congresses and
digital projects, evolving into a "citizen museum" that deciphers
symbols like the stork (Strasbourg's emblem) and the city's multilingual
heritage. As of 2025, no major disruptions are noted, though it
collaborates with regional sites for cross-border exhibits on
Alsace-Lorraine history.
The museum's Renaissance building, the Grande Boucherie du
Vieux-Marché-aux-Poissons, is a architectural gem in itself—a
half-timbered edifice from 1587–1588, originally a guild hall for
butchers amid the bustling fish market. Spanning two floors over 1,500
square meters, its facade features ornate gables, arched windows, and
exposed beams typical of Alsatian vernacular style, with interior
courtyards evoking medieval urban planning. Post-renovation, spaces
blend historical charm with contemporary design: glass partitions flood
galleries with natural light from the Ill River views, while tactile
zones incorporate ramps and interactive pods for fluidity.
Chronologically arranged across two levels, the layout flows from
ground-floor medieval halls (stone vaults symbolizing fortification) to
upper modern spaces with minimalist white walls for projections. The
centerpiece, a dedicated room for the 1727 Plan-Relief, features dim
lighting and elevated platforms for immersion. Surrounding the site, the
landscape fuses urban vibrancy with Petite France's canals—cobblestone
quays, weeping willows, and seasonal flower markets—offering serene
benches for reflection. At dusk, the building's warm timber glows
against the river, enhancing its role as a "window on the city."
The permanent collection, drawn from civic and Alsatian donations,
encompasses 1,700 items illustrating Strasbourg's arc: from Roman
mosaics and Merovingian jewelry (evoking Argentoratum's legions) to
Enlightenment pottery and 20th-century protest banners. Divided
thematically, it highlights the city's free imperial era (pottery you
can touch, Gutenberg's printing press replicas), military history (160+
uniforms, helmets to try on, cannons from the 1870 Franco-Prussian War),
and social life (costumes, furniture depicting burgher homes). The
French Revolution section spotlights General Jean-Baptiste Kléber (born
in Strasbourg, Napoleon's general) with his death mask and letters,
alongside guillotine-era artifacts.
Modern galleries cover World Wars
(annexation documents, resistance artifacts), post-1945 reconstruction,
and European birth—featuring Council of Europe charters and a model of
the European Parliament. Interactive elements abound: nine digital
kiosks for virtual timelines, tactile armor for kids, and quizzes on
daily life (e.g., "What did a medieval Strasbourgeois eat?"). The
undisputed star is the Plan-Relief de Strasbourg (1727), a 1:600 scale
model (28m x 6m) commissioned by Louis XV, depicting the city and
fortifications in exquisite detail with painted terrain, tiny houses,
and removable bastions—viewable from multiple angles for a bird's-eye
"time machine." Temporary exhibits rotate seasonally; as of October
2025, look for "Strasbourg, City of Symbols" exploring emblems like the
pretzel and stork through artifacts (running through December), with
upcoming 2026 shows on Alsace's wine trade.
Beyond passive viewing, the museum emphasizes immersion: free audio guides (in English, French, German) narrate 2–3 hour self-guided tours with storytelling flair, praised for "excellent chronology" and "fun games" like VR sieges or Kléber quizzes. Guided visits (€3 extra, weekends) delve into themes like "Strasbourg's Pendulum" (Franco-German shifts), while family workshops (e.g., "Armorer for a Day," ages 6+) run holidays. Cultural programming includes "Vis Ma Ville" reenactments (medieval markets) and "Fenêtre sur Cour" courtyard talks on urban myths—check the 2025 calendar for October's "Echoes of the Revolution" lecture series. Adjacent river paths invite post-visit strolls or Batorama boat tours (€12, 70 minutes) for contextual views of sites like the Parliament. Reviews from 2025 highlight its "well-organized narratives" and "tactile joy for kids," with one Tripadvisor user noting, "Two hours flew by—finally understood why Strasbourg sings 'La Marseillaise'!" though some critique brief WWII coverage. It's a thoughtful prelude to exploring the cathedral or European Quarter.
A compact boutique sells books (€10–20), postcards, and Kléber replicas, while a riverside café offers Alsatian bites like flammekueche (€8–12) with terrace seating. Lockers and Wi-Fi are free; the Strasbourg Museum Pass (€21/3 days) bundles entry with 10+ sites. No on-site lodging, but nearby options include Hôtel Cour du Corbeau (€150–250/night, 16th-century charm) or Ibis Centre Historique (€80–120, modern basics).
Open daily except Mondays: 10am–1pm and 2–6pm weekdays; 10am–6pm weekends. Tickets: €7.50 adults, €3.50 reduced (students/seniors), free under 18/first Sundays. Audio guides and apps enhance multilingual access (English/French/German); partial wheelchair accessibility (elevators to main floors, but some stairs in older sections). Pets prohibited indoors; photography allowed sans flash. Rules stress respect for interactives—no touching protected artifacts—and quiet zones during events. Download the museum app for virtual previews.
Arrive via tram A/B to Porte de l'Hôpital (2-min walk) or bike-share stations; free parking scarce—opt for VGP garages (€2/hour). Allocate 2 hours; start upstairs for chronological flow. 2025 reviews (4.5/5 on Tripadvisor) laud its "engaging storytelling" and "must-do audio guide," with families loving "hands-on history" but noting French-dominant labels (apps mitigate). One July 2025 visitor raved, "Sorted my confusion on Strasbourg's Franco-German tango—bravo!" Combine with Rohan Palace museums (10-min walk) for a full heritage day. In rainy October, cozy up with tarte aux poires post-tour. As a "urban, citizen museum," it fosters dialogue on identity—perfect for pondering Europe's future amid its storied past.