Museum in a former tobacco factory at the harbor of Bad Karlshafen on the persecution, flight and integration of the Huguenots in Germany.
September 1, 2026 – October 31, 2027
Stairwell exhibition on twelve panels and in two display cases about the daughter of the Huguenot Éléonore d'Olbreuse, whose affair with Count Königsmarck led to lifelong banishment.
Bad Karlshafen was founded in 1699 by Landgrave Charles of Hesse-Kassel at the confluence of the Diemel and the Weser as a town for Huguenots who had fled religious persecution. At the suggestion of local citizens and of Friedrich Centurier, then chairman of the Deutscher Hugenotten-Verein (German Huguenot Society), a museum on their history was established here in 1980, initially in a former warehouse. Dean Jochen Desel took on its volunteer directorship.
In 1989 the museum moved into the former Baurmeister tobacco factory on Hafenplatz, specially adapted for the purpose. Since 2018 the Deutsche Hugenotten-Gesellschaft has been its operator, supported by the town. Across three floors, the museum covers the life and persecution of Reformed Protestants in Catholic France, their reception in German territories, and Huguenot craftsmanship and entrepreneurship – with a silver collection and products from companies with Huguenot roots. Separate sections are devoted to the history of Bad Karlshafen and to present-day refugees fleeing religious persecution.
In 2025 the museum received a collection of well over 2,000 objects relating to the graphic artist Daniel Nikolaus Chodowiecki from the estate of Jochen Desel. To mark the artist's 300th birthday, the Chodowiecki section of the permanent exhibition was expanded in May 2026. A modernized room for special exhibitions and lectures is currently being created on the first floor.
| Adults | €7.50 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €4School students, university students, trainees/apprentices, people with severe disabilities |
| Children & teens | €4free up to age 9 · Children under 10 free; after that the school student rate applies. |
| Seniors | –No senior discount listed. |
| Visitors with disabilities | €4People with severe disabilities pay €4. |
| Students & apprentices | €4 |
| Groups (10+ people) | €6.50 per personFrom 10 people: adults €6.50, school and university students €3; booking at 05672 1410. |
| Families | €182 adults with children. |
| Group tour (max. 25 people, plus admission) | €60Flat rate, in German, also for school classes; duration 1–1.5 hours. |
Holders of the spa visitor's card (Kurkarte) pay €6.50. The museum participates in the “Meine Card” and the GrimmHeimatCard of GrimmHeimat Nordhessen. Card payment accepted.
According to the museum, it is equipped for visitors with disabilities, with an elevator and an accessible restroom.
The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.
The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.
Museum shop, including the museum guidebook (also in English and French). The used-book sale in the museum was discontinued in May 2026 because of the renovation work.
The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 60 min |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Group tours (max. 25 people) by advance booking at 05672 1410 or through the spa and tourist information office (05672 9226140), also outside opening hours. A tour usually lasts 1 to 1.5 hours; shorter tours by arrangement. Virtual tour on the website. |
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