Musée des Beaux-Arts de Strasbourg

About the museum

Strasbourg's first municipal painting museum was founded in 1801 by the Chaptal decree, and in 1802 and 1803 it received some forty paintings sent from the Louvre. It was housed in the Aubette. On August 24, 1870, during the Franco-Prussian War, the museum was destroyed and its entire painting collection was lost.

In 1889, the art historian Wilhelm von Bode, then director of the Royal Museums in Berlin, began building a new collection. It replaced most of the great lost painters and added works by Giotto, Raphael and Botticelli. The museum reopened in 1890. After Alsace returned to France in 1918, Hans Haug continued this acquisition policy and assembled a collection of still lifes unique in France.

The museum suffered another accidental fire in 1947, which destroyed part of its paintings. Gifts and purchases, such as those of Othon Kaufmann and François Schlageter, later enriched the Italian holdings.

Today the museum occupies the second floor of the Palais Rohan. Its circuit follows the great artistic centers rather than national schools, from the Italian and Flemish Primitives to 19th-century painting by Delacroix, Corot and Courbet. Since April 1, 2025, the upper galleries, which until then opened on the first Saturday of each month, have remained closed all year.

Highlights

• “La Belle Strasbourgeoise” by Largillierre, the museum's icon
• Giotto's Crucifixion and works by Botticelli, Raphael and Memling
• El Greco's Mater Dolorosa
• Goya's portraits and works by Rubens, Canaletto and Tiepolo
• A collection of still lifes unique in France
• Circuit through artistic centers from 1310 to 1870

Permanent exhibition

• Collection de peinture européenne de Giotto à Courbet – A circuit through artistic centers, from the Italian and Flemish Primitives to 19th-century painting, featuring El Greco, Rubens, Goya, Largillierre and Delacroix.

Founded

1890

Operated by

Ville de Strasbourg (Musées de Strasbourg)

Director

Wilhelm von Bode

Visitors per year

approx. 66,533

Admission & discounts

Tickets are sold at the museum's cash desks; online purchase is currently not possible. Free admission also for job seekers, members of the press, members of certain museum and heritage associations, artists, tour guides, and holders of the Carte Culture, Carte Atout'voir, Museums-Pass, Pass Alsace or Pass Patrimoine (from October 1, 2026). Prices may change during temporary exhibitions.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: not available
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• 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 listed as not accessible to visitors with reduced mobility; folding stools are lent, but no wheelchairs. Drop-off is possible near the Ancienne Douane. Guide dogs are accepted; other dogs are not admitted. Magnifying glasses can be borrowed at the Palais Rohan cash desk against ID.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

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

Family workshops are offered from age 4, on certain weekends and during school holidays. Scheduled activities cost €2 in addition to admission. Game sheets and first-visit routes are free at the cash desk for individual visitors. Free admission for under-18s.

Getting there & parking

The museum is on the second floor of the Palais Rohan, Place du Château, next to the cathedral.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit