UNTERLINDEN MUSEUM
The Unterlinden Museum is housed in the former Dominican convent of Unterlinden, founded in the 13th century. An important monastic complex in the 14th and 15th centuries, the convent became a centre of Christian mysticism in the Rhine Valley. After the departure of the nuns during the Revolution, the buildings became the property of the city of Colmar and were transformed into military barracks.
In the middle of the 19th century, when the former Unterlinden convent was slated for demolition, Louis Hugot, archivist and librarian for the city of Colmar, sought to save the building. In 1847, he founded the Schongauer Society. In 1848, a spectacular archaeological discovery contributed to the birth of the museum: a Gallo-Roman mosaic unearthed in Bergheim was placed in the convent chapel. In 1852, the works of the revolutionary museum were transferred to the former convent. The museum managed by the Schongauer Society opened its doors to the public in 1853, presenting a collection of sculptures and painted panels from the Antonine commandery in Issenheim.
1 Place Unterlinden
68000
Colmar
A prestigious setting for the famous Issenheim Altarpiece! An almost complete panorama of art can be seen in this superb convent turned museum. The Unterlinden Museum is located in its founding location, the 13th century convent, and is now connected to the former municipal baths, which were opened in 1906. The architects Herzog & de Meuron have combined the buildings with a contemporary extension. An underground gallery with three exhibition rooms runs under the Place Unterlinden and the canal.
It leads to the new architecture, the Ackerhof, named after the convent's former farmhouse. More than ever, the Musée Unterlinden displays its encyclopaedic collections. The visit is enhanced by a number of areas: the cloister garden, the museum orchard, a café, a shop, etc.
Having doubled its exhibition space since the end of 2015, the Museum now displays its collections on nearly 8000m². The Museum offers a tour covering nearly 7000 years of history, from prehistory to 20th century art.
Opening hours
Wednesday to Monday: 9am - 6pm
Tuesday: closed
Closing time 30 minutes before the Museum closes.
Public holidays: 1.1., 1.5., 1.11., 25.12.
Public price
Adult : €14.00Kid : Free
Price with the pass
Adult : FreeKid : Free
Sound and light show "Once Upon a Night" in the cloister of the Unterlinden Museum
From 25 Nov 2026 to 3 Jan 2027
Festivités de Noël
Spectacle
Edition 2026 - Once Upon a Night – New Sound and Light Show
The sound and light show Once Upon a Night reinvested the cloister of the Unterlinden museum from November 25, 2026 to January 3, 2027 with a brand new creation.
At nightfall, walk through the doors of the museum and let yourself be carried away by an immersive experience at the heart of its collections. For 10 minutes, the architecture of the cloister is animated and the museum's iconic works come to life at the rhythm of colourful and dynamic projections. An original and surprising way to (re)discover Unterlinden Museum and its heritage.
With family, couple or friends, come live Once Upon a Night and look at the museum's collections!
Access to the museum from 4pm. The show, lasting about 10 minutes, is projected from 5pm to 6:30pm, every 15 minutes. Closing of the museum at 7:00.
Colmar
Place Unterlinden
68000 Colmar
France
Guided tour of Issenheim
21 December 2026 at 14:00
Visite guidée
Adult : €4.50 - Kid : €4.50
The altarpiece of Issenheim by painter Grünewald and sculptor Nicolas de Haguenau is a world-renowned masterpiece. Together with a mediator, meet this monumental polyptic, composed of a carved box and painted shutters dedicated to Saint Anthony and the life of Christ.
Colmar
Place Unterlinden
68000 Colmar
France
Toddler visit Platypus' journey
27 December 2026 at 10:00
Pour les enfants
FreeA strange animal, from a distant country, accompanies the children in their discovery of the museum. In the form of puppets, Platypus meets Habibou the Owl and together they travel the museum.
Colmar
Place Unterlinden
68000 Colmar
France
Guided tour
27 December 2026 at 11:00
Visite guidée
Adult : €4.50 - Kid : €4.50
Whether you're discovering the museum for the first time or wishing to make it known to your loved ones, the Chefs-d'œuvre tour is an invitation to browse the most important collections. Accompanied by a mediator, let yourself be guided through the architecture and emblematic works of the museum: the Bergheim mosaic, the Issenheim altarpiece, the Ruckers harpsichord or Picasso's works. A journey to admire the museum's treasures.
Colmar
Place Unterlinden
68000 Colmar
France
Accessibility
- Physical disability
- Visual disability
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The entire Unterlinden Museum is accessible to people with reduced mobility. People with reduced mobility can access all the rooms. Prams, wheelchairs and walkers are now easily accessible thanks to the lifts and inclined planes.
The Musée Unterlinden offers wheelchairs for visitors who have difficulty moving around, standing for several hours or visiting the museum independently.
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Accepted animals
Guide dogs are allowed.
Access conditions
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Bus from the station to the Museum: lines 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8 ;
Get off at the Theatre stop.
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Follow city centre
Car parks: Mairie, Lacarre, Scheurer-Kestner
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To get to Colmar, regional trains from Basel or Strasbourg every 30 minutes.
From the station to the museum, on foot: 15 min walk.