This year, for Halloween, instead of digging out the fake spiderwebs or carving pumpkins, we wanted to do something different... An evening tour of the Vodou Museum, immersed in the dim light, with a flashlight as our only source of illumination. For those who aren’t familiar with this museum, housed in a former water tower dating back to 1878, it is the creation of a private collector. He has amassed more than 1,400 objects related to Voodoo during his travels in Africa—the birthplace of this religion—and the Caribbean.
The essentials at a glance
- 📍 Located in: a former water tower dating from 1878, in the Koenigshoffen neighborhood
- ⏱️ Recommended duration: about 1 hour for the guided night tour
- 👨👩👧 Who it’s for: families (ages 4–5 and up), couples, and anyone looking for something out of the ordinary
- 💶 Price: €€ – €14 per person for the night tour; reservations required
- 🔦 Note: Flashlight tours are held about once a month; space is limited
My Thoughts on the Vodou Museum
I liked
- The unique atmosphere
- To know the basics of the Vodou cult far from prejudices
- Let myself be surprised by the collections
I liked less
- Reservations are essential!
- The price: 14 euros for the tour—that’s a bit steep
Vodou Museum – A Guided Night Tour by Flashlight
The one-hour tour takes place in groups of about fifteen people, accompanied by a guide, who begins by shedding light on Voodoo, a religion that has been the subject of many misconceptions. Then, grab your flashlights! On the first floor, plunged into darkness, we discover numerous fetishes, objects used in rituals, and several Voodoo gods and goddesses.
Being plunged into darkness to discover the myths associated with Voodoo—which are often quite… dark!—clearly lends a very unique atmosphere to this tour. The second floor houses many unique artifacts, such as zangbeto—masks used by secret societies in Benin—and Asen, wrought-iron altars created in memory of the deceased.
🔦 Local tip: Reserve your spot as soon as registration opens—the night tours fill up fast, especially as Halloween approaches. And be sure to arrive 15 minutes before the scheduled start time, as requested by the museum.
Voodoo Museum – From African Fetishes to Ritual Costumes
On the top floor, strange silhouettes emerge in the light of our lamps… This is the section dedicated to Voodoo-related clothing. The pieces are surprisingly “kitschy,” with a myriad of details and accessories—a far cry from what one might imagine a priestess’s costume to look like, for example. After the tour, you can take your time revisiting the exhibits on the ground floor, which remains lit. In short, I really enjoyed this visit, both for its unique atmosphere and for learning more about this religion, which I knew nothing about.
I would have liked to see the collections on the other floors, but given the time (it was 11 p.m. when we finished), I understand that it wasn’t possible. The museum organizes these kinds of evening tours once a month, so be sure to book in advance!
🎧 Local tip: If the nighttime atmosphere doesn’t appeal to you, know that a standard daytime visit is also an option—on your own, no reservation required, every day from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. You can even enhance your experience with the virtual reality headset provided by the museum to witness Voodoo ceremonies filmed in Benin.
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Key Takeaways About the Vodou Museum
- A museum unlike any other in France, housed in a former water tower dating from 1878 in Strasbourg
- The nighttime flashlight tour takes place about once a month; reservations are required, and the cost is €14 per person.
- An immersive and slightly thrilling experience, perfect for enjoying alone, as a couple, or with the family
- The museum also offers self-guided tours during the day (2:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m., daily), a virtual reality headset to extend the experience, and regularly updates its temporary exhibition
Want to keep exploring Strasbourg? Check out my guide to Strasbourg’s museums.
Practical information
Rates
Here you can find the prices and opening hours of the Vodou Museum. You can book your tickets for a classical visit here.
Animations
The museum regularly organizes visits (including this night visit with a flashlight) and animations. All the info here.
Access
By car
The address is as follows: Château Musée Vodou, 4 rue de Koenigshoffen, 67000 Strasbourg. Count approximately:
- 77 km from Colmar (about 1 hour)
- 115 km from Mulhouse (about 1h20)
By public transport
- By train: The museum is a 10-minute walk from the Strasbourg train station
- By bus: lines 10, 4, and 2; “Porte Blanche – Musée Vodou” stop
- By tram: Line F, “Porte Blanche – Musée Vodou” stop (a 3-minute walk from the museum)
You can calculate your route on Fluo.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Vodou Museum
How much does the night tour of the Strasbourg Voodoo Museum cost?
The nighttime tour by flashlight costs €14 per person; reservations are required.
Do you need to make a reservation to visit the Vodou Museum at night?
Yes, reservations are required: space is limited, and this themed tour takes place only about once a month.
How do I get to the Strasbourg Voodoo Museum by public transportation?
The museum is accessible by bus (lines 10, 4, and 2) and tram (line F), both of which stop at “Porte Blanche – Musée Vodou,” a 3-minute walk from the museum.
Is the Vodou Museum suitable for children?
Yes, the museum is suitable for children ages 4–5 and up, and an activity booklet is available for younger children on self-guided day visits.
How long does a tour of the Vodou Museum take?
Allow about 1 hour for the guided nighttime tour by flashlight, and a little less time for a self-guided tour during the day.