Visit the Alsace Ecomuseum

My summary

While the term “ecomuseum” can sometimes conjure up images of a rather off-putting place, this is not the case here – quite the contrary! The ecomuseum is extremely lively, making it an ideal activity to do with children (but not only). You’ll feel like you’re in a big village, walking through narrow streets, stopping off at craftsmen and tradesmen (blacksmith, carpenter, barber, etc.) and coming across farm animals… and the inevitable storks thatnest on almost every rooftop!

The Ecomuseum in video

What is an ecomuseum?

An eco-museum is a museum that highlights the culture and heritage of a given geographical area, such as traditional dwellings, know-how, trades, popular traditions, etc. In this case, the Ungersheim Ecomuseum is dedicated to the culture and heritage of Alsace.

How long does it take to visit the Alsace Ecomuseum?

The museum is large and there are plenty of activities, so I’d advise you to plan to spend at least half a day (3 hours) there… but you can also easily spend the whole day, especially as you can eat at the bakery, the restaurant or use the picnic areas provided.

The origins of the Ecomuseum of Alsace

It all began in the 1970s, when a group of young volunteers from the association “Maisons paysannes d’Alsace” undertook to preserve several dozen traditional Alsatian houses, which were no longer suitable for their owners, who were looking for more comfort for example. They first decided to restore these houses in their respective communes, while integrating these needs of comfort in their work of safeguarding and restoration.

In 1980, realizing that it was impossible to keep them all on site, they began a work of deconstruction, to rebuild them in a conservatory of the Alsatian house, on a wasteland. The first house was set up in 1980 and this is how the ecomuseum was born, officially inaugurated in 1984.

Since then, Alsatians have made numerous donations of old objects to furnish their homes and today, the ecomuseum has a superb collection of furniture, agricultural equipment and old objects.

A visit for the whole family

Buildings from all over Alsace

Composed of more than 70 buildings from all over Alsace (houses, farms, chapels, schools…) spread out in a beautiful natural area on the museum site, the ecomuseum gives a good overview of Alsatian architecture. The buildings are therefore real Alsatian houses that have been moved to the ecomuseum in order to save them. And yes, half-timbered houses do move: the beams are separated and numbered so that they can be reassembled correctly. Incredible, isn’t it? They are all superb and allow you to discover the Alsatian architecture.

Varied entertainment

In the village there are workshops of active craftsmen, such as the potter or the blacksmith, whose know-how can be admired. Other houses are brought to life by the presence of guide-animators or volunteers. In the houses, you will discover small exhibitions on Alsatian culture, popular traditions, and the trades of the past or animations.

For example, you can attend a lesson in a 1930s Alsatian school, watch a blacksmith at work, learn how to fold an Alsatian headdress, find out more about pharmacy in days gone by, feed farm animals, take part in a tour of Alsatian architecture or sample dishes from the past. It’s also possible to take a horse-drawn carriage ride, take a boat trip on the ecomuseum’s river, or ride a tractor. It’s both fun and instructive!

The program of exhibitions and animations is very varied and changes regularly, so do not hesitate to return again and again. Many volunteers contribute to making theAlsace Ecomuseum a living place: congratulations to them, for me this museum is a real “coup de coeur ” to which I never tire of returning!

Meeting the animals

In addition to the storks, the ecomuseum is home to a host of farm animals that are a delight to young and old alike. You’ll see goats, cows (of the Vosges breed, of course), sheep, pigs, horses, donkeys… There are even peacocks whose cries echo throughout the ecomuseum! 😛

Christmas at the Ecomuseum of Alsace

TheEcomuseum of Alsace is open in December for the Christmas season. The village of the ecomuseum is then entirely decorated and many animations are proposed. It’s simple, you’ll always find them, no matter what time you come (except for lunch)!

For example, I was able to attend a workshop to make bredalas (Alsatian Christmas cakes), to create Christmas tree decorations out of recycled materials or to make gingerbread. I was also able to chat with a potter, stroke donkeys, see an exhibition on the history of Christmas trees… This is just a sample, I could also have decided to go for a horse-drawn cart ride, listen to the story of Alsatian Christmas characters or a Christmas tale… There really is plenty to do, for adults and children alike.