Cité du Train – Patrimoine SNCF

About the museum

In the 1960s, the SNCF decided to gather historic rail vehicles, and the Société industrielle de Mulhouse proposed setting up a railway museum there. The association Musée français du chemin de fer was founded in 1969. A first temporary museum opened in 1971 in the former steam depot of Mulhouse-Nord.

In 1976, the museum moved to its current site in Dornach with about fifty vehicles. A second building phase added several tracks, a turntable and a transporter bridge, and brought the exhibition area to 13,000 m². After a year of renovation, the 6,000 m² Parcours Spectacle building opened in 2008. The museum was then renamed Cité du Train, with Culturespaces as operator.

The large hall was redeveloped in 2011 under the name Quais de l’Histoire, a chronological route through the history of rail in France. The Panorama Ferroviaire, an outdoor area of over 10,000 m², was added in 2018, and the museum took the name Cité du Train – Patrimoine SNCF. It presents itself as the largest railway museum in Europe.

The collection includes, among others, the BB 9291 Capitole locomotive, the Mistral 69 and Grand Confort carriages and, since 2025, the TGV Atlantique power car no. 325, which set two rail speed records in 1989 and 1990.

Highlights

• TGV Atlantique power car no. 325, holder of speed records
• BB 9291 Capitole locomotive and the Mistral 69 and Grand Confort carriages
• Quais de l’Histoire: the history of rail in France, from steam to TGV
• Parcours Spectacle covering 6,000 m² in the former workshop
• Panorama Ferroviaire outdoor area
• Le Mistral restaurant and daily railway demonstrations

Founded

1976

Operated by

Patrimoine SNCF (gestion par Culturespaces)

Visitors per year

approx. 132,607

Admission & discounts

Free admission: First Wednesday of the month: half-price adult and child tickets

On the first Wednesday of each month, adult and child tickets are half price (cannot be combined with other rates). Free admission on prior request for journalists and, outside events, for members of ICOM and ICOMOS, holders of the Museums-Pass-Musées or of Alsatian tourist cards, and holders of the Ministry of Culture card.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The museum is accessible to visitors with reduced mobility; platforms and ramps allow a view inside part of the rolling stock. Some walkways and areas remain inaccessible for safety reasons and because of the historic architecture. A wheelchair is lent free of charge at the reception, without booking and subject to availability. Only guide dogs and assistance dogs are admitted.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide

The museum holds the Famille Plus label. Two free activity booklets are available at reception while stocks last: one for ages 4 to 6, with seven games and a colouring page, and a family booklet for ages 7 and up. Free entry for children under 4; the Family Pass costs €48.

Getting there & parking

By car via the A35 or A36, exit Mulhouse Dornach. The museum is about 5 minutes from Mulhouse city centre. Also reachable via the EuroVelo 6 cycle route.

Amenities & dining

• Restaurant
• Museum shop

Le Mistral restaurant inside the museum (hamburgers, ready meals and regional recipes); eating is not allowed in the exhibition halls. Picnic tables in the outdoor Panorama Ferroviaire during peak season. Bookshop-boutique.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Corporate events
• Weddings / ceremonies

Up to 800 guests.

Several spaces can be hired: the Parcours Spectacle (6,000 m²), the outdoor Quai de Cluny, the Orient-Express and Mistral rooms, the Michel Doerr lounge, the Salle Expo, as well as historic train carriages for meals or meetings.

Plan your visit