Visit to the Historical Museum of the city of Strasbourg – My opinion

My Thoughts on the Strasbourg Historical Museum

The Historical Museum, located in Strasbourg’s former Grandes Boucheries

Ideally located on the banks of the Ill River, next to the Ancienne Douane and the Pont du Corbeau, the Historical Museum sees many Strasbourg residents and tourists pass by every day. But how many have actually stepped inside? That was certainly true for me until now, and I regret not having gone there sooner, since a visit is such a great way to understand and discover the city—even if you’re a Strasbourg native.

The building originally housed the Strasbourg Central Butcher’s Market from 1587 until 1899, when it was converted into the Museum of Decorative Arts, which was inaugurated by Emperor Wilhelm II himself. In 1919, it was converted into a historical museum. That’s a brief history of this must-see building on the Grande Île.

A Tour of the Historical Museum: The History of Strasbourg in Three Chapters

The tour is chronological and traces the history of Strasbourg through three major periods: the Free City of the Holy Roman Empire (1262–1681), followed by the Revolutionary City (1681–1800), and finally the European capital (19th and 20th centuries). I highly recommend taking the tour with the audio guide, which is provided free of charge at the entrance and will accompany you with very informative commentary. The collections are beautifully displayed and very well explained. There’s plenty of opportunity for interaction with objects that you can touch, handle, or try on. The museum reminds me a bit of the Museum of London.

Have you heard of the Iron Man? The man who gave his name to the famous square in Strasbourg now stands in the Historical Museum, while a replica takes his place above the pharmacy. Standing in front of the original, you can try on soldiers’ helmets yourself. Would you make a good Iron Man (or Iron Woman)? All around you are military artifacts, coins from Strasbourg, and other relics from the medieval era. You’ll also discover the former City Hall, the Pflaz, through a lifelike model. Located on the edge of what is now Gutenberg Square, the building itself was destroyed during the Revolution.

Further on, you’ll find a cauldron—or at least what’s left of it. This is the one that the people of Zurich brought back by boat in 1576 in less than a day. With the porridge still steaming upon their arrival, they thus demonstrated that their allies in Strasbourg could count on their help in case of need. It was also on this occasion that the oldest white wine aged in barrels—now preserved at the Caves historiques des Hospices de Strasbourg—was tasted.

Traditional Costumes and the Ladevèze Relief Map: Must-See Highlights

As you continue your tour, you’ll discover the costume of the “Belle Strasbourgeoise,” which is inspired by a work by Nicolas de Largillière on display at the Museum of Fine Arts just a few meters away. The exhibition showcases the clothing of the era and the differences between social classes. A charming dollhouse, impressively lifelike, gives us a glimpse of what a traditional home of the era looked like. Then we delve into the history of religions in this multi-faith city, which was so atypical for the Kingdom of France.

Upstairs, the Ladevèze Relief Map is impressive. This 72-square-meter reconstruction of Strasbourg was created in 1727 to plan the defense of the city and its surroundings. Have fun trying to spot the places you recognize. I was struck by the Neudorf neighborhood… which didn’t exist back then. Only a few houses stood in those floodplains. You can also see all the canals in the city center that have since disappeared, having been filled in, as on Rue de Zurich. And take a look toward the Rhine. The landscape has changed quite a bit now.

“La Marseillaise” and the French Revolution in Strasbourg

One of the highlights of the Historical Museum is the painting *La Marseillaise* by Isidore Pils. It depicts Rouget de L’Isle performing his composition—written the day before—in front of Baron de Dietrich, the mayor of Strasbourg. This serves as a reminder that the national anthem was written and sung for the first time in Strasbourg.

The painting is flanked by prominent Strasbourg figures from the Revolution and the Empire, such as Kellermann and Kléber. There is also a painting depicting his assassination during the Egyptian campaign and his travel kit. From the Imperial era, visitors can also see miniature soldiers from the Imperial Guard and the Confederation of the Rhine of the First Empire. These 60,000 paper figurines are remarkably detailed.

Finally, we move into the German era following the 1870 war. Many shells fell on Strasbourg, and some are still visible in a few building facades. At the History Museum, you can touch an authentic one.

From World War II to Strasbourg, the Capital of Europe

We conclude the tour with a look at European conflicts and peace. A Torpedo built by Mathis serves as a reminder that Strasbourg was a major center of automobile production in the early 20th century. Then came World War II and the authentic tricolor flag hoisted on the cathedral’s spire upon the arrival of General Leclerc’s 2nd Armored Division in 1944. Hastily sewn together by a butcher’s wife, the flag was made from her blue skirt, an old white sheet, and a piece of the Nazi flag for the red. Finally, peace arrived, and Strasbourg was chosen as the city to host certain European institutions, such as the European Parliament. A development project was then unveiled on both sides of the Rhine.

Key Facts About the Strasbourg Historical Museum

• A must-see for understanding Strasbourg, from the Middle Ages to the European institutions
• Located in the former Grandes Boucheries, right in the heart of Grande Île
• A fun and interactive tour, with a free audio guide included
• Allow about 1 hour and 30 minutes, and consider getting the Alsace Pass if you’re visiting several museums in a row

Want to continue exploring Strasbourg’s museums? Check out my article on which museums to visit in Strasbourg to plan your itinerary.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Strasbourg Historical Museum