Visit to the Tomi Ungerer Museum in Strasbourg

by | Updated on 1/03/2023 | Museum and monuments, Museum and monuments (when it rains), Open on sundays, Strasbourg | 0 comments

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The 3 Brigands, The Giant of Zeralda, John of the Moon, The Mellops… You must know one of these children’s books written by Tomi Ungerer. The artist from Strasbourg, who passed away in February 2019, left a huge mark on the world of illustration in Alsace and in France. But also in the United States, where he worked between 1956 and 1970 for prestigious magazines such as The New-York Times or Life.

Since 2007, a museum has been dedicated to him in Strasbourg and exhibits some of the 11,000 sketches, original drawings, annotated texts, mechanical toys, prints, posters and advertisements that Tomi Ungerer donated to the city of Strasbourg.

The visit of the Tomi Ungerer Museum begins with the drawings of his children’s books, in chronological order (1956-2018). I love discovering the originals, trying to decipher the pencil notes on some of the documents and watching the old cartoons from his works. A documentary, “Trait pour Trait”, also retraces the life of Tomi Ungerer and a small reading corner has been set up to (re)immerse yourself in his books.

Tomi Ungerer the cartoonist

On the second floor, we leave childhood behind to discover Tomi the cartoonist and committed artist. He made many drawings or posters against racial segregation, the war in Vietnam and all forms of discrimination. His satirical drawings, which mocked American society, contributed greatly to his success. Tomi Ungerer was also an advocate of children’s rights, Alsatian particularities and Franco-German reconciliation, having lived through the trauma of the Second World War.

The visit continues in the basement, forbidden to the young public! And for good reason: we find there his most black or erotic works, like his famous Kamasutra of the frogs.

Three times a year, the Tomi Ungerer Museum organizes temporary exhibitions. The last themes were the use of photography in Tomi Ungerer’s work or his vision of Europe. Other works of artists, from whom he was inspired or who were inspired by the Strasbourg illustrator, are often presented. I find these temporary exhibitions always very interesting and successful.

I really recommend this museum: if you know Tomi Ungerer, you will like it. And if you don’t know him, it will be a great discovery! In Strasbourg, you can also visit the historical museum, to learn more about the history of the city, or the Alsatian museum, a real dive into the daily life of Alsatians of the 18th and 19th centuries.

I liked

  • See the original drawings of Tomi Ungerer
  • Appreciate the variety of his work and his committed designs
  • Temporary exhibitions

I liked less

  • The museum is too small in my opinion!

My photos of the Tomi Ungerer Museum

Practical information

Rates and schedules

Here you can find the prices and opening hours of the Tomi Ungerer Museum.

Access

By car

The address is: 2 avenue de la Marseillaise, 67000 Strasbourg. Count approximately :

  • 73 km from Colmar (about 1 hour)
  • 114 km from Mulhouse (about 1h20)
By public transport

Tramway lines B, C, E and F (République stop)
Bus L6, 15 and 72 (République stop)

Hungry?

If you are hungry, you will easily find a restaurant in our favorite restaurant addresses in Strasbourg.

Léa

Léa

Léa a toujours aimé débusquer des adresses gourmandes méconnues, des activités insolites, des randos hors des sentiers battus, des lieux avec une histoire et une âme... Cela tombe bien, l'Alsace en regorge ! Journaliste dans la vraie vie, blogueuse pour le plaisir, elle se fera un plaisir de partager toutes ses trouvailles.

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