Musée Des Beaux Arts De Strasbourg

Musée des Beaux-Arts de Strasbourg: Visiting Hours, Tickets, and Guide to Strasbourg Historical Sites

Date: 14/06/2025

Introduction

The Musée des Beaux-Arts de Strasbourg stands as a cornerstone of the city’s cultural landscape, offering an exceptional journey through European art history. Located within the majestic Palais Rohan—a baroque masterpiece at the heart of Strasbourg’s UNESCO-listed historic center—the museum presents a comprehensive collection of paintings from the Middle Ages through the 19th century. Whether you are a dedicated art aficionado, a family seeking cultural enrichment, or a traveler exploring Strasbourg’s historical sites, this guide provides all the essential information you need: visiting hours, ticketing, accessibility, collection highlights, and travel tips.

For up-to-date information on hours, ticketing, and events, consult the museum’s official channels or the Audiala app for digital guides and visitor resources (Enjoy Strasbourg; chr.grandest.fr; Strasbourg.eu).

Introduction
Museum History and Development
Collection Overview
Visiting Hours and Ticket Information
Accessibility and Visitor Amenities
Getting There and Nearby Sites
Special Exhibitions and Events
Highlights of the Collection
Travel Tips and FAQs
Conclusion
References

Museum History and Development

Founded in 1801 under Napoleon’s decree as part of a national movement to decentralize art collections, the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Strasbourg received its first major state deposits by 1803 (chr.grandest.fr). The original collection was tragically destroyed during the 1870 bombardment, but the museum was painstakingly rebuilt in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, guided by Wilhelm Bode’s expertise and a focus on Italian, Flemish, and Dutch masterpieces (pop.culture.gouv.fr).

Since 1898, the museum has been housed in the left wing of the Palais Rohan, an 18th-century architectural gem that once hosted French royalty and visiting dignitaries. The museum’s integration into the Palais Rohan elevated its stature and provided a stunning setting for its collections (WGA).

Collection Overview

Spanning nearly 600 years of European art, the Musée des Beaux-Arts features approximately 1,300 works (as of 2025), with about 250 on permanent display across 20 galleries arranged chronologically (strasbourg.eu). The collection is particularly strong in Italian, Flemish, Dutch, Spanish, French, German, and Swiss schools of painting.

Key Collection Highlights

Italian Masters: Works by Botticelli, Raphael, Canaletto, Veronese, and Tintoretto, illustrating the evolution from the Quattrocento to the Rococo (Musée des Beaux-Arts de Strasbourg).
Flemish & Dutch Schools: Paintings by Memling, Rubens, Van Dyck, Dou, and Ruisdael, renowned for their technical mastery and realism (Musée des Beaux-Arts Highlights).
Spanish and French Art: Notable works by El Greco, Zurbarán, La Tour, Largillière, Oudry, Delacroix, Corot, and Courbet provide a rich cross-section of European artistic movements.
German and Swiss Artists: Baldung Grien, Cranach, Witz, and Birmann reflect Strasbourg’s unique Franco-German heritage.

The museum also features sculpture and decorative arts, including neoclassical busts by Houdon and regional porcelain (strasbourg.eu).

Visiting Hours and Ticket Information

Opening Hours:
Tuesday to Sunday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Closed Mondays and some public holidays.
Extended hours for special events may apply.
Admission Fees:
- General admission: €7.50–€8
- Reduced rate: €3.50–€5 (students, seniors, large families)
- Free: Children under 18, disabled visitors & companions, and all visitors on the first Sunday of each month
- Combined ticket: Access to all Palais Rohan museums (museesgrandest.org)
Tickets:
Purchase online via the official museum website or at the entrance. Advance booking is advisable for special exhibitions and busy periods.

Accessibility and Visitor Amenities

The museum is committed to inclusivity:

Physical Access: Elevators, ramps, accessible restrooms, and wheelchairs available on request (dabblinginjetlag.com).
Guided Tours: Available in French, with occasional English and German tours. Group and school tours can be booked in advance.
Audio Guides: Offered in multiple languages for a small fee.
Cloakroom: Staffed near the entrance; large bags are not permitted in galleries.
Photography: Non-flash photography is permitted except in temporary exhibitions. Tripods and selfie sticks are not allowed.
Museum Shop: Books, postcards, and souvenirs are available.

Getting There and Nearby Sites

Address: 2 Place du Château, 67000 Strasbourg
By Tram: Lines A & D to “Langstross/Grand’Rue” or “Porte de l’Hôpital”
By Bus: Multiple lines serve stops within walking distance.
By Foot: 15-minute walk from Strasbourg central station
Parking: Limited; nearby garages include Parking Austerlitz and Parking Gutenberg. Public transport is recommended.

Nearby Attractions

Strasbourg Cathedral: Steps from the museum, a Gothic masterpiece.
La Petite France: Picturesque district with canals and half-timbered houses.
Other Museums: Musée Archéologique and Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Palais Rohan, and Musée de l’Œuvre Notre-Dame close by (visitstrasbourg.fr).

Special Exhibitions and Events

The museum hosts rotating exhibitions and cultural events, drawing on its own holdings and international loans. Recent and upcoming highlights include:

“Venetian Splendors: Art and Society in the Serenissima” (2024)
“Women Artists in the Age of Enlightenment” (2024–2025)
“Rubens and His Circle: The Baroque in Flanders” (2025)

Family activities, multimedia guides, and accessible programming are regularly offered (Musée des Beaux-Arts Exhibitions).

Highlights of the Collection

Notable masterpieces include:

“The Holy Family” by El Greco: A prime example of late Mannerism.
“The Payment of Dues” by Georges de La Tour: A Baroque gem noted for its chiaroscuro.
“La Belle Strasbourgeoise” by Nicolas de Largillière: Considered a local icon for its refined portraiture.
“Saint Ambrose and Emperor Theodosius” by Rubens: Monumental religious painting.
“The Grand Canal” by Canaletto: Celebrated Venetian cityscape.

The museum’s thematic rotations and special displays ensure a fresh experience with each visit (Highlights of the Collection).

Travel Tips and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

When is the best time to visit?
Weekday mornings or late afternoons are typically least crowded. The first Sunday of the month offers free entry but can be busy.

Are there discounts or free entry options?
Yes. Free for children under 18, disabled visitors and companions, and all visitors on the first Sunday monthly. Reduced rates for students, seniors, and large families.

Is the museum wheelchair accessible?
Yes. Elevators, ramps, and accessible restrooms are available.

Can I take photos inside?
Non-flash photography is allowed except in temporary exhibitions.

Are guided tours available?
Yes. Book in advance for groups and check for language availability.

How long should I plan for a visit?
Allow 1.5–2.5 hours to explore the permanent collection; longer if attending a special exhibition or visiting neighboring museums.

Conclusion

The Musée des Beaux-Arts de Strasbourg is a cultural treasure, offering a rich journey through centuries of European art in a stunning historic setting. With its accessible facilities, diverse programming, and central location among Strasbourg’s major sites, it is an essential stop for any visitor. Leverage digital tools like the Audiala app for enhanced experiences, and consider combined tickets or city passes to maximize your cultural exploration.

For the most current details on visiting hours, tickets, and exhibitions, visit the official museum website.