Visit to the Fernet-Branca Foundation in Saint-Louis
A former Fernet-Branca distillery transformed into a contemporary art center, just a stone's throw from Switzerland? That's the Fondation Fernet-Branca in Saint-Louis. It has no permanent collection, but presents between two and five temporary exhibitions per year: that's exactly what makes you want to come back. I'll tell you about my visit, what I liked, and the one small regret I had.
Summary
- My review of the Fondation Fernet-Branca
- History of the former Fernet-Branca distillery in Saint-Louis
- Temporary exhibitions: what you can see there
- Tour route: rooms, explanations, and guided tours
- What to do around Saint-Louis after the visit?
- Key takeaways about the Fondation Fernet-Branca
- Frequently asked questions about visiting Saint-Louis
The essentials at a glance
- 📍 Location: 2 rue du Ballon, Saint-Louis (Haut-Rhin), just a stone’s throw from Switzerland
- ⏱️ Recommended duration: about 1h
- 👥 Audience: contemporary art lovers
- 💶 Budget: € (€8 full price, €6 concessions, free for under-18s)
- 🕐 Opening hours: Wednesday to Sunday, 12pm to 5pm
- 🎨 To see: temporary exhibitions, no permanent collection
My review of the Fondation Fernet-Branca
I liked
- The former distillery building, its large volumes, and the eagle on the roof
- Works beautifully showcased in vast rooms, both on the ground floor and upstairs
- Varied exhibitions, featuring both Alsatian artists and international names
- Easy access on foot from Saint-Louis station
I liked less
- The lack of explanations about the artists and works, especially for newcomers like me
- The absence of a permanent collection: the interest of the visit depends entirely on the current exhibition
- Limited hours: open Wednesday to Sunday, 12pm to 5pm, closed Monday and Tuesday
History of the former Fernet-Branca distillery in Saint-Louis
The building is already worth a visit. Theformer Fernet-Branca distillery, built in 1907, has retained its structure, its large volumes, and the brand’s imposing eagle emblem on the roof. It used to produce the famous Fernet-Branca “digestive” liqueur, the result of a collaboration between an Alsatian doctor (Dr. Fernet) and the Branca family, originally from Milan. The factory closed in 2000.
Rather than let the site fall into disrepair, the city of Saint-Louis commissionedarchitect Jean-Michel Wilmotte to turn it into a venue for contemporary art, thus complementing the extensive cultural offering in the Trois Pays region, which includes numerous museums in Basel and the Vitra Design Museum in Germany.
The venue opened in 2004, with a first exhibition by Lee Ufan during the Art Basel fair. The Fondation Fernet-Branca became a foundation recognized as being in the public interest in 2011.
When I visited, the facade was under construction, so I don’t have a photo of the exterior to show you. The renovation of the facade and the eagle was inaugurated in September 2026, so you will be able to see them restored.
A few key dates:
- 🏭 1907: construction of the distillery
- 🚪 2000: closure of the factory
- 🎨 2004: opening of the venue
- 🏛️ 2011: the foundation is recognized as being in the public interest
Temporary exhibitions: what you can see there
A program renewed every year
The foundation does not have a permanent collection, but offers between two and five temporary exhibitions each year. These exhibitions are often very different from one another, which gives a good reason to return regularly. You can see both local artists and international names, and the venue alternates between retrospectives, duo, or group shows. The current program can be found on the foundation’s website.
Local tip: the visit is indoors, so it’s a good idea for an outing on rainy days. I’d happily include it in a weekend around Basel.
My favorite: the Anonymous – Famous exhibition
When I visited, I saw the Anonymous – Famous exhibition dedicated to the two Alsatian artists Christophe Hohler and Raymond Waydelich, which I really enjoyed. I even fell in love with Christophe Hohler’s work, which I didn’t know at all (I have little contemporary art culture, I must say…) and which really touched me.
Read also
Tour route: rooms, explanations, and guided tours
I found the showcasing of the works in the building’s large spaces very successful. On the ground floor, there are several vast rooms surrounding the building’s courtyard, as well as other rooms upstairs. I must admit I wasn’t expecting such a large space! The foundation is thus very pleasant to visit.
The only point I regretted is that there are not enough explanations about the artists and the various works on display, which would be very useful, especially for newcomers like myself. Of course, it is possible to take part in guided tours which must be very interesting, but these only take place on certain dates.
Local tip: as explanations are rare on-site, time your visit for a guided tour date. The calendar can be found on the foundation’s website.
What to do around Saint-Louis after the visit?
Don’t hesitate to combine it with other activities around Saint-Louis:
- 🚤 Water activities at East Park
- 🌿 Stroll at the Petite Camargue Alsacienne
- 💦 Huningue Whitewater Park
- 🏰 Discovery of Landskron Castle
- 🇨🇭 Visit to Basel nearby
Enough to easily fill a very varied weekend!
Key takeaways about the Fondation Fernet-Branca
- 🏭 A former distillery transformed into a contemporary art center by architect Jean-Michel Wilmotte
- 🎨 No permanent collection: everything depends on the current exhibition
- 💬 My downside: few explanations, so consider the guided tours
- 🕐 Open Wednesday to Sunday, 12pm to 5pm, a 10-minute walk from the station
- 🧭 Easy to combine with Basel or the Vitra Campus
Want to extend your artistic getaway? Check out my visit to the Vitra Campus too.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
Opening days and times
Open Wednesday to Sunday, 12pm to 5pm. Closed Monday and Tuesday. Exceptional closures on December 23, 24, 25, 30, and 31, 2026, and January 1, 2027.
Rates and tickets
€8 full price, €6 concessions, free for under-18s. Guided tours are included in the price of admission.
Guided tours
Guided tours of the current exhibition take place on certain dates; the calendar is on the foundation’s website.
Access by car
The address is: 2 rue du Ballon, 68300 Saint-Louis. You have to count:
- 35km from Mulhouse (about 30 minutes)
- 60km from Colmar (about 45 minutes)
- 130 km from Strasbourg (about 1h30)
Public transport access
The foundation is a 10-minute walk from the Saint-Louis train station.
Frequently asked questions about visiting Saint-Louis
What are the opening hours of the Fondation Fernet-Branca?
The Fondation Fernet-Branca is open Wednesday to Sunday, from 12pm to 5pm, and closed on Monday and Tuesday. It also closes exceptionally on December 23, 24, 25, 30, and 31, 2026, and January 1, 2027.
How much does entry to the Fondation Fernet-Branca cost?
Entry costs €8 full price and €6 concessions, and it is free for under-18s. Guided tours are offered at the price of admission.
How long does it take to visit the foundation?
Allow about 1h for the visit on-site.
Is there a permanent collection at the Fondation Fernet-Branca?
No, the foundation does not have a permanent collection. It presents between two and five temporary exhibitions per year, which are often very different from one another.
How do I get to the Fondation Fernet-Branca by public transport?
The foundation is located about a 10-minute walk from Saint-Louis station.
This article was written as part of a paid collaboration with the Agence d’Attractivité Touristique Saint-Louis Trois Pays. I have retained full freedom to write.