MAUSA Vauban in Neuf-Brisach: visiting the street art museum in the ramparts

My take on the MAUSA Vauban

Which street artists can you discover in the museum’s rooms?

Street art is an artistic field that touches me. Why? Go figure… The fact that it is “rebellious” art at the base, that it is generally strong in colors or that it is often militant?

In any case, when I learned that the MAUSA had opened in Neuf-Brisach, I had to go there. I am not yet very knowledgeable about Street-Art, despite my interest in it. But names like Nasty or C215, who were among the graffiti artists to intervene, speak to me.

At MAUSA Vauban, you’ll find big names in street art, with a room dedicated to each artist. There’s something for everyone:

• 🎨 Seth: colorful children whose faces you never see
• 🚇 Nasty: tagged subway signs
• ✌️ Pure Evil: peace messages and colorful celebrity portraits
• 🖌️ C215: a portrait of Vauban, graffitied around a corner
• 📷 Joseph Ford: a photographer who blends his subjects into the scenery by dressing them in matching colors and patterns
• 🖤 Guy Denning: more melancholic portraits

But, as in the street, there are also artist’s winks to be found in the spaces reserved for other graffiti artists: for example, Seth’s children squatting in several other rooms. And thanks to some perspectives, you can see the games between them. Seth’s little boy looking at the portrait of Jean-Paul Sartre two rooms away, for example.

See the street art up close (without touching!)

Here’s what makes all the difference compared to the street: at MAUSA, you’re right up close to the artwork. You can make out the linework, the texture, the craftsmanship of the artists, far more than when you just pass by a fresco.

💡 Local tip: take advantage of this closeness to study the details of each piece. That’s where you really see the artists’ skill.

⚠️ Please note: do not touch the artwork.

My favorites: Pure Evil, Seth, and Denis Meyers

How difficult it is to decide for one or the other artist! Let me choose three:

• Pure Evil : the portraits of personalities, robots and positive messages of this English artist gave me back the pep!
• Seth: you never see the faces of the children created by Julien Malland. They’re both unsettling and so endearing…
• Denis Meyers: the space of this Belgian artist is an explosion of words and faces that jostle each other, only in black. It is totally atypical thanks to the black light which is regularly triggered and which makes his work stand out even more.

I can’t help but tell you about Nasty, the Parisian (I know, that’s 4!). The sign at the “Malakoff, Plateau de Vanves” metro station brought back some pretty good memories…

A living museum: artists in residence and rooms that keep changing

MAUSA Vauban isn’t a static museum. Every year, artists come for residencies, and some rooms evolve over time. Since it opened, other names have joined in, like Philippe Hérard or Brazilian graffiti artist Cranio, whose blue Amazonian Indigenous figures are known worldwide. The easiest way to keep up with what’s new is to check the official MAUSA website. Definitely worth another visit, right?

Visiting MAUSA with family or friends: scavenger hunt and street art workshops

A scavenger hunt for visitors

At the entrance, you’ll be invited to find a number of artworks in the museum, including sculptures and paintings. It’s fun with family, and even as an adult!

Street art workshops by reservation

MAUSA organizes workshops for 7 to 20 people, with no fixed date: you need to book to arrange a slot. They are for everyone (including individuals), with a wide range of themes. To book: [email protected].

What to remember about MAUSA Vauban

• 🎨 A street art museum set up in the casemates of the Vauban ramparts
• 🔍 Artwork to admire up close, but without touching
• 🔄 Artists in residence every year and rooms that keep changing
• 👨‍👩‍👧 A scavenger hunt for artwork and workshops by reservation
• 🌧️ An indoor visit that pairs well with a walk around the fortifications

To plan your day, check out all my ideas in my guide What to do in Neuf-Brisach? If you’re visiting at the end of the year, also take a look at the Neuf-Brisach Christmas Market.

FAQ: visiting the MAUSA in Neuf-Brisach