Visit of the Unterlinden Museum in Colmar – My opinion
The visit of the Unterlinden Museum is a must during a visit to Colmar. It is a magnificent museum both in its architecture and in the richness of its collections. I did not expect it for a small city like Colmar and was really seduced!
The essentials at a glance
- 📍 Location: Place Unterlinden, right in the heart of Colmar’s historic center.
- 🏛️ The site: a former 13th-century Dominican convent, with a contemporary addition designed by Herzog & de Meuron.
- ⏳ Duration: about 1 hour and 30 minutes, or longer if you’re an art lover and like to take your time.
- 🚪 Closed on Tuesdays.
- 💶 Price: €14 per person (€17 with an audio guide); free for children under 12.
- ☕ A quick break: Café Schongauer, which you can visit without paying the museum admission fee.
My thoughts on the Unterlinden Museum
I liked
- Architecture of the museum
- Richness of the collections for a small town like Colmar
I liked less
- Organization sometimes a bit confusing in my opinion
The Unterlinden Museum: An Exceptional Architectural Gem
History of the creation of the Unterlinden Museum
The museum originally consisted of only one building, that of the former Dominican convent of Unterlinden dating from the 13th century and having a beautiful Gothic cloister that can still be admired today. After the departure of the nuns from the convent during the Revolution, the building was abandoned and used as a military barracks until the middle of the 19th century before becoming the Musée Unterlinden.
The Musée Unterlinden in Colmar was born of several successive events: first, the creation of the Schongauer company and a print cabinet by Louis Hugot in 1847, then the discovery in 1848 of a Gallo-Roman mosaic in Bergheim, and finally, the transfer of works from the revolutionary sequestration to the former Dominican convent. The building was thus saved from abandonment and destruction and the museum opened in 1853.
The extension designed by Herzog & de Meuron
Major work was carried out between 2012 and 2015 to expand the museum, which now spans the former Dominican convent, the former Municipal Baths, as well as a brand new contemporary extension to the latter, signed by Basel architects Herzog & de Meuron.
An impressive renovation that has been praised by the international press. Indeed, the different buildings are impressive and deserve a visit in themselves!
Que voir au Musée Unterlinden? Le retable, mais pas que…
The Musée Unterlinden in Colmar is mainly known for its Rhenish art, with collections of paintings and sculptures dating from the 15th and 16th centuries, mainly from the monasteries and churches of the region. But it also hosts many works by 20th century artists.
The exhibition spaces are spacious and well-lit. Due to its large size, the museum offers a tour featuring more than 3,300 works, spanning over 7,000 years of history, from prehistory to 20th-century art.
Art du Moyen-Age et de la Renaissance dans le cloître
The Gothic cloister showcases the art of the Middle Ages and Renaissance, with works by Martin Schongauer, Hans Holbein, Lucas Cranach and, of course, the famous Issenheim Altarpiece, a masterpiece of Western painting sculpted by Nicolas de Haguenau around 1510 and painted by Mathias Grünewald between 1512 and 1516. It is extremely well displayed in the chapel of the former convent.
There is also a collection of archaeology with objects from domestic life or funerary contexts as well as a collection of decorative arts, arts and popular traditions and exhibitions related to regional history.
19th- and 20th-Century Art in the Underground Gallery
The underground gallery that connects the two buildings is made up of a series of rooms devoted to the history of the museum, the arts of the 19th and 20th centuries and the decorative arts.
Also on the blog
Modern and Contemporary Art in the Ackerhof Extension
The contemporary extension (Ackerhof) houses the museum’s modern art collection, with works by the major artists of the 20th century: Monet, Picasso, Otto Dix, Nicolas de Staël, Soulages, Dubuffet… It also houses temporary exhibitions, the Schongauer café, and an events room in the former municipal baths swimming pool. A great space!
💡 Local tip: If you only have an hour or are visiting late in the day, the “last-hour” rate of €7 (€10 with an audio guide) is a great way to see the highlights without breaking the bank.
Key Facts About the Unterlinden Museum
- A successful dialogue between a medieval convent and contemporary architecture by Herzog & de Meuron
- The Issenheim Altarpiece: A Work You Should See at Least Once in Your Life
- A collection that extends far beyond the Middle Ages, all the way to Picasso and Soulages
- The last-minute rate—a great deal to keep in mind if you’re in a hurry
Want to round out your day in Colmar? Check out my guide to Colmar’s 12 must-see spots to plan the rest of your itinerary.
Practical information
Rates, schedules and tickets
The museum is open Wednesday through Monday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (last admission at 5:30 p.m.) and is closed on Tuesdays. Here are the admission prices:
| Rate | Admission only | + audio guide |
|---|---|---|
| Full price | 14€ | 17€ |
| Reduced rate* | 12€ | 15€ |
| Youth Rates (ages 12–17, students under 30) | 9€ | 12€ |
| Solidarity Rate* | €6 | 9€ |
| Last-minute rate | €7 | 10€ |
| Family Admission (2 adults + 1 to 5 children ages 12–17) | 36€ | +3€ per person |
| Free | Children under 12, people with disabilities and their companions, season ticket holders, members of the Schongauer Society, holders of the Museum-Pass-Musées… | |
*Discounted rates: groups of 15 or more people; Cézam-Ircos, Alsace CE, GAS, Crédit Agricole Alsace-Vosges, Monoprix, and Petit train vert/blanc cardholders. Solidarity rates: recipients of minimum social benefits, job seekers, asylum seekers, and refugees (proof required). You can book your tickets in advance here.
Access
By car
L’adresse est la suivante: place Unterlinden 68000 Colmar. Le musée est situé en plein centre-ville. Si vous êtes en voiture, je vous conseille le parking Lacarre (une partie est gratuite).
By bike
Bicycle racks are available right in front of the museum.
By public transport
From the Colmar train station, bus lines 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, and 8 will drop you off at the Théâtre stop, just a stone’s throw from the museum.
On foot
It’s about a 15-minute walk from the Colmar train station—a pleasant stroll right through the heart of the city.
Hungry?
If you’re hungry, Café Schongauer is located inside the museum, in the Ackerhof courtyard. The food there is good, and you can eat there without paying the museum admission fee!
Frequently Asked Questions About the Unterlinden Museum
Is the Unterlinden Museum open on Sundays?
Yes, the museum is open 7 days a week except on Tuesdays, including Sundays and most holidays (except January 1, May 1, November 1, and December 25).
What are the opening hours of the Unterlinden Museum?
The museum is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday through Monday, with last admission at 5:30 p.m. It is closed on Tuesdays.
How much is admission to the Unterlinden Museum?
The regular admission price is €14 (€17 with an audio guide). A “last-hour” rate of €7 (€10 with an audio guide) is available for visitors at the end of the day, and admission is free for children under 12.
Where can I park to visit the Unterlinden Museum?
The Lacarre parking lot, just a few minutes’ walk away, is the most convenient option: the outdoor section is free during the day, and the covered section offers 3 hours of free parking before switching to a daily rate.
Can you eat at the Unterlinden Museum?
Yes, the Schongauer Café Restaurant is located in the Ackerhof courtyard and is open even without a museum admission ticket.