A rainy day in Strasbourg does not mean choosing the first museum that appears on a map. Palais Rohan: three museums in one palace houses three museums under one roof; Strasbourg Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art follows art from 1870 to today; and the Tomi Ungerer Museum – International Centre for Illustration turns illustration into a visit that can interest families and adult readers alike. All three list standard admission at €9 and a reduced rate of €5, and city museums offer free entry to visitors under 18. The right choice depends on your time and the kind of collection your group wants to see.
Palais Rohan: three collections in a historic building
The eighteenth-century palace houses archaeology, decorative arts and fine arts. It is the most complete option for visitors who want architecture and museums without crossing the city: all three are at 2 place du Château, close to the cathedral. Admission is charged per museum, so visiting all three costs more than choosing one. Archaeology ranges from prehistory to the early medieval period; Fine Arts follows European painting to 1870; Decorative Arts reveals the former residence. Allow several hours if you want to see more than one collection.
MAMCS: from the nineteenth century to the present
If you prefer painting, sculpture, photography and video, the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art has the broadest collection in that period. Monet, Rodin, Picasso, Niki de Saint-Phalle and Nam June Paik are among the artists represented. The bright building beside the River Ill also has a lift, café and bookshop. Tram B or F stops at Musée d’Art Moderne; the museum is near the railway station, but allow at least two hours for the galleries and temporary exhibitions.
Tomi Ungerer: a home city told through drawings
Villa Greiner houses 14,000 drawings that the illustrator donated to Strasbourg. Displays rotate by theme, including children’s books, satire and advertising, as well as work for adults. The name may suggest a museum only for children, but the collection is broader. It is at 2 avenue de la Marseillaise; trams B, C, E and F stop at République. Check the current exhibition and calendar because the museum can close for installation work.
Palais Rohan usually closes on Tuesdays; MAMCS and Tomi Ungerer close on Mondays. City museums pause from 1 to 2 p.m. on weekdays and usually stop issuing tickets at 5:30 p.m. If you have one afternoon, choose a collection and give the galleries time; turning three museums into a race is rarely rewarding. Check the official calendar before leaving and consider access: MAMCS has a lift, while Palais Rohan is not fully wheelchair accessible.
Choose for your schedule, budget, age group and access needs; confirm current conditions before visiting.
Museums to visit
Each museum offers a different collection. Check the current exhibition, admission and journey before visiting.
Palais Rohan: three museums in one palace
2 place du Château, 67000 Strasbourg, France
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 flo
Archaeology, decorative arts and fine arts under one roof; published standard admission is €9 per museum.
Strasbourg Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art
1 place Hans Jean Arp, 67000 Strasbourg, France
MAMCS opened in 1998 in a large, light-filled building beside the River Ill and within walking distance of the railway station. Its collection spans from 1870 to the present and includes painting, sculpture, photography and video, with artists ranging from Monet, Rodin and Picasso to Sophie Taeuber-
Art from 1870 to today in a bright building by the River Ill; tram B or F, Musée d’Art Moderne stop.
Tomi Ungerer Museum – International Centre for Illustration
2 avenue de la Marseillaise, Villa Greiner, 67000 Strasbourg, France
The Tomi Ungerer Museum is in Villa Greiner, near Place de la République, and houses 14,000 drawings that the illustrator donated to his home city. It goes beyond the children’s books for which many readers know him: the collection also includes satire, advertising and work for adults. Displays rota
A collection of 14,000 drawings, including children’s books, satire and adult work; trams B, C, E and F to République.
Sources & references
Sources for the information and reporting discussed in this guide.
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Official website of Palais Rohan: three museums in one palace ↗
Primary source
Strasbourg Tourism Office · Accessed October 1, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Palais Rohan: three museums in one palace ↗
Primary source
Strasbourg City Museums · Accessed October 1, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Palais Rohan: three museums in one palace ↗
Primary source
Strasbourg City Museums · Accessed October 1, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Strasbourg Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art ↗
Primary source
Strasbourg City Museums · Accessed October 1, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Strasbourg Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art ↗
Primary source
Strasbourg City Museums · Accessed October 1, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Strasbourg Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art ↗
Primary source
Strasbourg City Museums · Accessed October 1, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Tomi Ungerer Museum – International Centre for Illustration ↗
Primary source
Strasbourg City Museums · Accessed October 1, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Tomi Ungerer Museum – International Centre for Illustration ↗
Primary source
Strasbourg City Museums · Accessed October 1, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Tomi Ungerer Museum – International Centre for Illustration ↗
Primary source
Strasbourg City Museums · Accessed October 1, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website ↗
Primary source
Strasbourg Tourism Office · Accessed October 1, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website ↗
Primary source
Strasbourg City Museums · Accessed October 1, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website ↗
Primary source
Strasbourg City Museums · Accessed October 1, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website ↗
Primary source
Strasbourg City Museums · Accessed October 1, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website ↗
Primary source
Strasbourg City Museums · Accessed October 1, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.