Musée Bartholdi
Birthplace of the sculptor Auguste Bartholdi in Colmar, with models, sculptures and memorabilia linked to the Statue of Liberty.
No sound? Check your device’s silent switch.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The museum is housed in the house where Auguste Bartholdi was born on August 2, 1834, in Colmar. The sculptor spent his early childhood there, before his mother moved to Paris with her two sons in 1843. The family nonetheless remained attached to the town and to Alsace, and returned regularly, including after the annexation of 1871.
In 1907, three years after the artist’s death, his widow Jeanne-Emilie bequeathed the house and its contents to the City of Colmar. She also gave the objects, works, models, paintings, prints and collections that had been in the couple’s Parisian home. The museum opened its doors in 1922.
On the ground floor, three rooms display preparatory models and sculptures related to the monuments Bartholdi designed for his native town, including the original bronze of the “Jeune Vigneron alsacien” and the model of the Bruat fountain. A fourth room is devoted to his commitment during the war of 1870–1871 and to the works it inspired, such as the monument “La Suisse secourant Strasbourg douloureux” in Basel. The museum also covers the genesis of the Statue of Liberty.
Highlights
- Birthplace of Auguste Bartholdi
- Original bronze of the “Jeune Vigneron alsacien”
- Model of the Bruat fountain
- Works linked to the war of 1870–1871
- Documents on the Statue of Liberty
- Founded
- 1922
- Operated by
- Ville de Colmar
- Visitors per year
- approx. 27,333
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €5 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €4Seniors aged 65 and over, teachers, holders of the Cezam card or the GAS card of the City of Colmar, recipients of minimum social benefits, visitors with a ticket for a partner museum in Colmar valid the same day |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 17 · Free for children under 18, on presentation of supporting documentation. |
| Seniors | €4From age 65. |
| Visitors with disabilities | freecompanion free · Free for the person with reduced mobility and one companion. |
| Students & apprentices | freeFree on presentation of the current year’s student card. |
| Groups (12+ people) | –Free self-guided visit for groups of 12 to 15 people: free in addition to admission tickets; booking required. |
| Solidarity rate (online booking in advance via the Tôt ou t’art solidarity ticketing) | €3 |
| Audio guide | €2 |
| Guided tour without booking (in addition to admission) | €3 |
| Mediation workshop (in addition to admission) | €3 |
Free admission: European Museum Night, European Heritage Days (Sunday), July 4, the contemporary art weekend, Opening Night and Reading Nights when an exhibition is on show
€1 off the individual full price on the same day for holders of a ticket for the little white train (petit train blanc) or guests of certain partner hotels in Colmar. Free admission with the Museums Pass Musées and the Colmar City Pass. Also free for the press, ICOM and other groups, on proof.
Accessibility
- Partially wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: not available
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The museum is spread over two floors with no lift.
Kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 17 |
|---|
The museum regularly offers mediation workshops; the programme is published in the events section and on social media.
Getting there & parking
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Amenities & dining
- Museum shop
- Coat check
Shop at reception. Backpacks must be carried in your hand or in front of you; bulky luggage must be left at the reception left-luggage facility.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 60 min |
|---|---|
| Audio guide | yes (FR, DE, EN, ES, IT) |
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | One-hour guided tours by reservation through the Colmar tourist office, as well as tours led regularly by the museum’s mediators on varying dates. The audio guide can be hired for €2 at reception; the same route is also available free of charge in the izi.travel app. Groups are limited to 15 people and must book. |
