25 ideas for visiting Mulhouse and the surrounding area

1. Discover Mulhouse’s historic city center on foot

The historic center of Mulhouse is full of charm. Don’t expect to find typical Alsatian half-timbered houses, there are none here, but the architecture of the city center is no less interesting. I particularly like the Place de la Réunion and its incredible City Hall, but also in general the numerous painted walls of the city, a specificity of Mulhouse.

Take the time to stroll through the alleys that start at the Place de la Réunion, it’s really cute! Along the way, you will also see the Tour de l’Europe, which I personally don’t find very beautiful but which has really become an emblem of Mulhouse.

2. Visit Mulhouse’s museums

Mulhouse is well known for its numerous museums of quality. A must-see is the Musée National de l’Automobile. (to plunge into the history of the automobile and discover the largest collection of cars in the world!), the Cité du Train (Europe’s largest railway museum) and the Musée d’Impression sur Etoffes. As well as these must-sees, there are many other interesting attractions, such as Electropolis and the Musée du Papier Peint.

3. Discover Mulhouse with a greeter

Have you heard of the Greeters? It’s a network of local volunteers who offer to show you around the city. Tours are available on various themes, depending on each volunteer’s areas of expertise. The network of Greeters in Mulhouse is very well-established. It’s a great way to discover the city through the eyes of a local!

4. Take a walk on the theme of street art

Street art is present absolutely everywhere in Mulhouse (even on the road signs!), you will quickly realize it while walking in the city. You can choose to discover the works of street art as you stroll through the streets, or during a visit with a greeter, or by taking a street art tour organized byMulhouse Tourist Office. It’s up to you, but in any case a visit to the M.U.R and by the Quai des Pêcheurs and Graffitipolis is a must!

5. Stroll through the Mulhouse Market

The market of the covered canal of Mulhouse which takes place on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, is one of the largest markets in eastern France. It is true that it is huge and the cosmopolitan atmosphere is guaranteed! It is really nice to do your shopping but also to have lunch, there is a lot of choice.

6. Strolling through Mulhouse’s Cité Ouvrière

Not far from the market, it is pleasant to discover the old Cité Ouvrière of Mulhouse: small streets well aligned with houses and small gardens, built at the time to allow the workers of the city to reach the property. It is full of charm, very quiet and green: you would almost think you had left the city! Visit the streets around the Passage des Alouettes (yes, the names are charming too!). Just be careful to respect the peace and quiet of the residents!

7. Visit Mulhouse Zoological and Botanical Park

This is a must-see if you’re visiting Mulhouse with your family—but not just for families. Mulhouse has a magnificent park that’s also interesting for its zoo and its plant life.

8. Taking in the view from Belvedere

The Belvedere is a metal tower located close to the Mulhouse Zooon the heights of the Rebberg, one of the city’s chic districts. From its summit, you can enjoy a panoramic view of Mulhouse and its surroundings.

9. Take a gourmet break

Mulhouse has many cafés, tea rooms and pastry shops that are gourmet and welcoming. Here are my favorites:

• Le temps d’une pause – One of my favorite places, where I go every time I visit Mulhouse! It’s cosy inside, there’s a terrace and good teas and cakes.
• Tilvist – Also a great place to have a cup of tea, eat a delicious piece of cake and even have lunch! I love the atmosphere and the terrace is great too.
• Café Mozart – An emblematic café located on the Place de la Réunion. Very fine pastries and very pleasant terrace.
• Vanilla Café – Another top terrace where it is good to settle.
• Dany Husser Pastry Shop – An excellent pastry shop located in the Engelmann House, a very nice place.
• Cabosse – If you like good chocolate, this is the place to be!

10. Take part in an art workshop at Motoco

Motoco is a place of artistic creation located in the industrial wasteland of the DMC factory. The place hosts 140 artists in residence and also organizes regular events. It is not possible to visit the places freely outside of these, but it is possible to participate in visits + workshops with some artists by purchasing a“Motoco Box“. Contact the Tourist Office for more information.

11. Visit a Japanese garden

Mulhouse is home to an incredible Japanese garden, open to visitors upon reservation… What to travel far while remaining in Alsace!

12. Rent an electric boat

In July and August, it is possible to rent a small electric boat without a license and go for a ride on the Rhone-Rhine canal. A nice little walk for the whole family!

13. Go for a drink in a bar

There are plenty of great bars in Mulhouse (click here for our top picks), where you can try Bollwerk, a beer brewed by the Gambrinus bar. I also really like the NoMad, located outside the city center in the Fonderie neighborhood, on a former industrial site, and which has a magnificent terrace!

14. Discover the Mulhouse Christmas Market

At the end of the year, the Christmas market in Mulhouse is not to be missed! Less known than markets like Strasbourg and Colmar, it is nevertheless beautiful and is very frequented by the locals, which gives it an authentic and friendly atmosphere.

15. Immerse yourself in Alsatian culture at the Ecomuseum

L’Ecomusée d’Alsace is a museum dedicated to the Alsatian culture and which is interesting for young and old. It is located in Ungersheim, near Mulhouse. It would be a shame not to take advantage of your visit to Mulhouse to discover it, it’s a great visit to make with your family!

16. Family fun at Parc du petit Prince

Right next to the Ecomuseum, still in Ungersheim, is the Parc du Petit Prince. It is a family amusement park on the theme of the Little Prince. Various rides and hot air balloons await the children.

17. Cycling

If you enjoy biking, there are plenty of beautiful routes to choose from—some for exploring the city and others for discovering its surroundings. For example, you can ride along the canal and through the Hardt Forest for easy rides, or explore the Three Borders region, the Sundgau, or even the Thur Valley for slightly longer looped routes. There’s plenty to choose from—many bike paths await you!

18. Grab a slice of pie at Illfurth’s guinguette

If you like homemade pies and the guinguette atmosphere, I can only advise you to go to the guinguette of Illfurth, located on the banks of the Rhone-Rhine Canal, 10 km from Mulhouse. Count on 30 minutes by bike, the ride being very pleasant since it is enough to follow the canal!

19. Visit Ottmarsheim church

Ottmarsheim is a village located at 15km from Mulhouse and which has a Romanesque church which is worth the detour: the abbey church Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul of Ottmarsheim, famous for its astonishing octagonal plan inspired of the chapel of Aix-la-Chapelle

20. Explore the Sundgau

South of Mulhouse is the Sundgau, a particularly beautiful part of Alsace, with its hills and its pretty villages… And its restaurants of fried carp, a local specialty. As a bonus, you will be in a quiet place, this region is not very touristic but is really worth it! If you like cycling, this is also a great place to do it.

21. Discover the Potash Route

In the vicinity of Mulhouse there are old potash mines. It is possible to discover this part of Alsatian history by visiting the sites of the Potash Route. I particularly recommend the visits with former miners as in Carreau Rodolphe for example, which are really fascinating!

22. Walking in the Vosges

From Mulhouse, the Vosges mountains are easily accessible. If you like hiking, don’t hesitate to go and discover the Ballons des Vosges Regional Nature Park, which has some beautiful discoveries in store for you.

23. Walking in the Parc de Wesserling

The Wesserling Park is located in the valley of the Thur, 30km from Mulhouse. It is one of the favorite places of the locals to come to walk in family, the park is magnificent and the themes vary with the years. Its visit is worthwhile during the summer season but also during the Christmas time.

24. Basel, Switzerland

Mulhouse is not far from the Swiss border: it takes just 20 minutes by train to reach the charming city of Basel. So it’s easy to make the most of your stay in Mulhouse by taking a trip there: the city is magnificent, and in summer you can even swim in the Rhine!

25. Sleep in comfortable accommodation

Do not hesitate to consult my article on the best hotels in Mulhouse. Otherwise, here are two different-style accommodations I can recommend:

• L’Hotel Mulhouse Centre is ideally located in the city center, with a magnificent decoration, comfortable rooms and a good breakfast… A great value for money!
• The camping de l’Ill for its unusual accommodation. For example, you can sleep in a cabin worthy of a leprechaun’s house!