Palais Rohan: three museums in one palace

The Palais Rohan was built between 1732 and 1742 for Cardinal Armand-Gaston de Rohan-Soubise, Prince-Bishop of Strasbourg. Its classical façade and palace rooms are part of the experience, but the building also houses three city museums: Archaeology in the basement, Decorative Arts on the ground floor and Fine Arts on the first floor. It is not one small collection to rush through in twenty minutes; each museum has its own subject and deserves its own time.

The Archaeological Museum follows Alsace from prehistory to the early medieval period. Decorative Arts brings the former residence into focus through its rooms, furniture, ceramics and objects. Fine Arts traces European painting to 1870. Published standard admission is €9 per museum and the reduced rate is €5; the city lists free admission for visitors under 18. A museum ticket also covers that museum’s temporary exhibitions, though prices may change during some exhibitions.

The address is 2 place du Château, a short walk from the cathedral. Trams A and D stop at Langstross–Grand’Rue; buses 14 and 24 stop at Ancienne Douane. The museums usually close on Tuesdays and pause from 1 to 2 p.m. on weekdays, while weekend hours are continuous. Last admission is 5:30 p.m. Check each museum’s notices before setting out: occasional closures occur, and the Palais Rohan galleries are not fully wheelchair accessible.