Louwman Museum

About the museum

The collection dates back to 1934, when Pieter Louwman, who imported Dodge and Chrysler vehicles in The Hague, acquired a used 1914 Dodge to preserve it for posterity. Over the decades, this single car grew into a private collection, initially housed on Lekstraat in The Hague.

In 1969 the growing collection moved into a purpose-built building in Leidschendam and was named the Nationaal Automobiel Museum. A lack of space led to a move to Raamsdonksveer in North Brabant in 1981. There, under Evert Louwman, the founder's son, the holdings were systematically expanded with rare and historically significant vehicles.

In July 2010 the museum returned to The Hague. The American architect Michael Graves designed a building on Leidsestraatweg modeled on a former country house and surrounded by a body of water and parkland by Lodewijk Baljon. Queen Beatrix opened the museum, which has operated under the name Louwman Museum ever since.

Today, the museum displays more than 275 automobiles on three floors, from the earliest days to the present, including interwar luxury cars, race cars and Dutch makes such as Spyker. The vehicle collection is complemented by an extensive collection of car posters, paintings, illustrations, trophies, miniatures and memorabilia. A re-created square with historic Hague facades serves as a restaurant and meeting place.

Highlights

• Aston Martin DB5 from a James Bond film
• The largest Spyker collection and the only surviving Eijsink
• 1929 Mercedes-Benz SSK and Bugatti Type 57 Roadster Grand Raid
• 1954 Ferrari 750 Monza Scaglietti
• Illustrations by Frederick Gordon-Crosby and historic car posters
• Museum building by Michael Graves with a re-created Museumplein

Permanent exhibitions

• Kunst in beweging – 150 years of car-related art: posters, paintings, illustrations by Gordon-Crosby, sculptures, trophies, miniatures and everyday objects in automotive design.
• Meesterwerken – A selection of outstanding vehicles from the collection, such as a Mercedes-Benz SSK, a Ferrari 750 Monza and a rare Bugatti Type 57.
• Schoonheid van snelheid – Motorsport stories about drivers such as Tazio Nuvolari, Bruce McLaren and Carel Godin de Beaufort and their race cars.

Founded

1969

Admission & discounts

Free with the Museumkaart, the VriendenLoterij VIP-KAART and the Ooievaarspas (no online ticket needed). Online tickets have no time slot and are valid for two years from purchase; tickets can also be bought at the ticket desk. No surcharges for special exhibitions. No cash payments (cards only, including in the restaurant, shop and parking garage).

Accessibility

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

Elevator to all floors, hardly any thresholds, adapted restrooms. Wheelchairs can be borrowed free of charge (reservation recommended). Visitors with disabilities park free of charge at the main entrance (access via the footpath in front of the museum); there is no elevator from the underground parking to the museum. The route from the bus stop (about 300 m) has a few small thresholds, and there is no seating at the stop.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Stroller-friendly

Free printed scavenger hunt (Speurtocht) for all ages, with a small gift in the museum shop; plus an online shadow game for guessing the cars. Buggies and strollers are welcome.

Getting there & parking

Located directly on the N44/A44 between The Hague and Wassenaar, with its own access road to the museum.

Amenities & dining

• Café: not available
• Restaurant
• Museum shop
• Coat check
• Lockers

Restaurant on the re-created Museumplein inside the museum (Tue–Sun 10:00–17:00; coffee, cake, lunch). Free lockers with combination locks; backpacks are not allowed in the exhibition. Outside food and drink not permitted. Museum shop with books and model cars.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events

Up to 1,000 guests.

Nine spaces, including the Great Hall (receptions for up to 1,000 people, dinners for up to 700), a theater with 335 seats, the Museumplein and four meeting rooms for 10–40 people. A museum visit is included with events; the entire museum can be rented exclusively (with a surcharge after 17:00), and events are possible seven days a week. In-house caterer Select Catering.

Plan your visit