Musée d'histoire naturelle et d'ethnographie de Colmar
Museum in the Petite Venise district of Colmar devoted to Alsatian biodiversity, geology, ethnography and ancient Egypt, with about 135,000 specimens.
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About the museum
The museum grew out of the Société d’histoire naturelle et d’ethnographie de Colmar, founded in 1859 by Alsatian notables and scientists, including Auguste Bartholdi. The society aimed to promote the study of natural and human sciences and to protect the natural and cultural heritage.
The museum opened in 1860 in the Unterlinden convent, which it initially shared with the art and archaeology collections of the Musée Unterlinden. Thanks to donations and acquisitions, particularly of exotic objects, it became an encyclopaedic institution. In 1950, the collections were moved to the Château d’eau, where they stayed for about thirty years.
In October 1984, the society moved its collections and 25,000 library volumes to the former Turenne school in the Petite Venise district. The current museum opened there in 1985. It has held the “Musée de France” label since 2003 and holds about 135,000 specimens.
The permanent display spans three levels: biodiversity of Alsace and the world, then geology, ethnography and ancient Egypt. An 80-seat lecture hall completes the building.
Highlights
- 18-metre panoramic mural of Alsace’s ecosystems, from the Vosges to the Rhine
- Geology collections: minerals, rocks and fossils
- Ethnography rooms with objects from around the world
- Ancient Egypt section with three mummies
- Escape game “Le Cabinet du botaniste” (from age 12)
Permanent exhibitions
- Biodiversité d'Alsace et du monde – On the first level, an 18-metre panoramic mural by Jean Linnhoff presents five Alsatian ecosystems with stuffed animals; specimens from around the world then illustrate the diversity of species.
- Géologie, ethnographie et Égypte ancienne – On the second level, minerals, rocks and fossils trace almost a billion years of geological history, followed by ethnographic objects from around the world and an Egyptian section with ritual objects, Coptic textiles and three mummies.
- Founded
- 1860
- Operated by
- Société d'histoire naturelle et d'ethnographie de Colmar
- Visitors per year
- approx. 18,867
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €6 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €4.50Children and young people aged 7 to 18, people aged 60 and over, students, teachers with the Pass Éducation, large families, job seekers, recipients of minimum social benefits, groups of 10 or more, and holders of certain works council or partner cards, on proof |
| Children & teens | €4.50free up to age 6 · Free admission for children under 7. |
| Seniors | €4.50Reduced rate from age 60. |
| Visitors with disabilities | freecompanion free · Free admission for visitors with disabilities and their companions. |
| Students & apprentices | €4.50Reduced rate on proof. |
| Groups (10+ people) | €4.50 per personReduced rate from 10 people. School groups, including those from specialised institutions, enter free of charge. |
| “Tôt ou t’Art” rate | €3 |
| Guided visit supplement (by reservation) | €2Per person, in addition to admission. With Tôt ou t’Art: €3 per person, admission included. |
| Wednesday workshop for children aged 6 to 12 | €9€9 per session, €8 with a package of 5 sessions and €7 with a quarterly package. |
| Holiday workshop (5 afternoons) | €40From €40. |
Free admission: European Heritage Days
Accepted: Museums-Pass-Musées, the culture card (Université de Haute-Alsace and Université de Strasbourg), Pass Culture, Pass Alsace and the Colmar City Pass. Free admission is also available to members of the Société d’histoire naturelle et d’ethnographie de Colmar, ICOM and Musées Grand Est, as well as professional guides and journalists. Payment by cash, card, cheque or Chèques-Vacances.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: not available
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The building and its surroundings do not allow wheelchair access. The museum is listed on Acceslibre to help you prepare your visit. The route includes casts to touch.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 6 |
|---|
- Family tours & workshops
- Kids’ birthday parties: not available
Wednesday workshops and holiday workshops for children aged 6 to 12. The museum no longer offers birthday parties.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Marché couvert
Bus line 6, Marché couvert stop. A free “Cœur de ville” shuttle stops on request in Rue Turenne.
By car
Parking available
Nearest public car parks: Parking Turenne, Parking Saint-Josse and Parking de la Montagne verte.
The entrance is on Rue Turenne; the entrance on Quai de la Poissonnerie is closed until further notice. On foot, allow about 15 minutes from the station and 12 minutes from the tourist office.
Get directionsAmenities & 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
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Guided visit by reservation. The new panels are translated into English and German, and the Alsatian names of the species appear on the labels. Escape game “Le Cabinet du botaniste” for 2 to 6 players, from age 12. The mummies are in the last room of the Egyptian section, and you can choose not to see them. |
