If Mulhouse is the industrial city par excellence, it is also a remarkable historical city. Its long history is concentrated in the charm of the city center, which can be discovered, preferably on foot, along the Old Mulhouse trail. A wide variety of places of relaxation, discovery and cultural leisure activities enhance the lives of Mulhouse residents and many tourists. So don't hesitate to go back into the singular history, driven by human genius, of the city that was, in the 19th century, the "French Manchester". Especially in December, don't miss the very nice Christmas market on the Place de la Réunion which gives the city a charming atmosphere.
Monuments steeped in history
The Saint-Etienne temple is the main building of the Reformed Church in Mulhouse. Despite the age that one would give it according to its architectural style, this temple is recent. It was built in 1866 by the same architect as the Catholic church of the same name, replacing another church dating from the 12th century. Jean-Baptiste Schacre's good idea: the stained glass windows of the old 14th century building have been reinstalled in the temple and are accessible from ground level thanks to a platform that runs along the three walls. The temple has been dedicated to the Reformed worship since 1528. Its dimensions make it the highest Protestant building in France (97 m high) and its architecture has earned it the title of "cathedral" of Mulhouse. The temple is also a place of life and culture, open to all and to all styles of music. The majestic central façade of the temple has just been beautifully renovated, but this is only the beginning of a long series of restorations that should last for fifteen years.
To reconnect with the city's medieval past, you should go and see the remains of the ramparts. The entire medieval city was enclosed by a wall until the 19th century, when the ramparts were destroyed to allow the city to develop by creating a tertiary center inspired by the Empire style, around a triangular garden. The result was quite spectacular for the time. We invite you to follow the route of the ramparts from door to door. The only remains of the fortifications are the Nessel and Devil towers, restored and raised in 1906, and the Bollwerk tower, decorated with a fresco, the work of the painter Ferdinand Wagner and restored in 1893 and in 1970 by Bernard Latuner. The tramway passes near this tower, which has been classified as a historical monument since 1898. Part of the surrounding walls still remain, with the entrance on rue de l'Arsenal or rue des Franciscains. The latter was dedicated to the cloth printing industry in the 18th and 19th centuries: the house located today at number 7 was part of the Kohler & Mantz factory, and the Loewenfels house at number 42 was the home of Jean-Jacques Feer, financier of the first cloth printing factory in 1746. From numbers 11 to 15, there is a house and its outbuildings, which in the 18th century were rented to the indian company Eck, Schwartz et Cie. And so on... But from the 1830s, the factories established in the medieval core of the city left this sector to settle outside, and the manufacturing complexes were then transformed into residential buildings.
Two exceptional museums
Mulhouse's industrial heritage has been intelligently promoted through prestigious museums, making it the leading technical museum in Europe, notably with its Automobile Museum. The largest automobile museum in the world presents more than 500 exceptional vehicles from the Schlumpf collection on an area of 25,000m2. This vast collection of classic vehicles is the work of the Schlumpf brothers, industrialists with a passion for cars. In 1982, the museum opened to the general public with the aim of showing the evolution of this industry. The vehicles on display come from various car manufacturers and illustrate the technical advances that have revolutionized this sector. A section of the museum also retraces the history of the Schlumpf brothers, while a series of "must-see" vehicles brings together the flagships of this industry. Animations are offered throughout the tour to complete the visit in a playful way: it is possible to project yourself a few decades back in time by trying to start an engine with a crank or to embark on a barrel car! It is also possible to drive the car of your dreams among the collection of mythical old cars and modern sports cars that have marked the history of the automobile. The museum was renovated in 2022 with a new restaurant, a new store with exclusive products, a Roaring Twenties bar and an exhibition of treasures from the reserves on the occasion of its 40th anniversary!
Then, don't miss the Cité du Train, the largest railway museum in Europe. More than 30,000 m² of exhibition space to discover one of the most beautiful collections of railway equipment in the world. The first hall of 6 000m2 presents 27 legendary pieces. On the 8 station platforms of the second hall, 60 pieces of equipment retrace the history of the railroads in France from 1844 to the present day. From the first steam locomotives to the luxury of the 1930s, the beginnings of the SNCF and the speed records, trains will no longer hold any secrets for you! And every half hour, don't miss the start of the famous 232 U1 steam locomotive. Put into service in 1949, it could reach speeds of up to 200 km/h. in addition to its two covered halls, the Cité du Train welcomes you in an outdoor area of 16,000m2 with permanent and temporary exhibitions, as well as many fun railway animations to do with the whole family, such as the mini-express of Alsace, the last fairground railway carousel in France and even a first ride on a railcar.
An unmissable ride
A real local, Rhine and Alsatian institution, the zoological and botanical park is the first tourist site of the Haut-Rhin! One comes to visit the Mulhouse zoo for the variety of animals (170 species) as well as for its flora, its large trees and its botanical garden. A 10,000 m² "Great North" area is dedicated to animals that live in the cold. There are tigers, lions, kangaroos and many other animals from around the world. It is possible to see many species feeding throughout the day. Complete the visit with the smartphone application which is fun and intuitive!
Long live the magic of Christmas!
Christmas in Alsace means magic at home and in the streets with the countless Christmas markets throughout the region. From the end of November (since the 24th this year), Mulhouse unfolds the chalets of its Christmas market on its mythical Place de la Réunion. Because of its textile history, a fabric is created each year to decorate and dress the facades, chalets and pedestrian streets of the city center. Visitors and locals meet at the Place de la Réunion for a mulled wine or a tarte flambée. For gift ideas, there are many craftsmen on the market. Those who wish to leave with an original and local gift will also pass by the fabric store of the city hall. A must during the Advent season!
Smart info
When to visit? You can visit Mulhouse all year round, but to enjoy the Christmas market, go from November 24 to December 27, 2022.
How to get there. By plane (EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse), by train (Mulhouse-Ville station) or by car, everything is possible.
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Useful. To prepare your trip in the best way.
MULHOUSE TOURIST OFFICE - More information on the website
MULHOUSE CHRISTMAS MARKET - More information on the website
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