i 🖼️ Museums
Technical and craft museums in the Grand Est
A land of industry, the Grand Est has turned its machines and trades into places to visit. In Mulhouse, two major museums complement each other: the Schlumpf Collection, more than 450 cars gathered in a former wool mill, and the Cité du Train, 60,000 m² of exhibition space covering everything from the first steam locomotives to the TGV. In the Northern Vosges, the Pays de Bitche keeps the art of glassmaking alive, from Saint-Louis crystal to the Christmas baubles blown at Meisenthal. Wesserling tells the textile story of a former royal manufactory, while in Troyes, the hand tools of the Compagnons (France’s journeyman craftsmen) and Champagne stained glass each have their own museum.
To choose, ask yourself whether you want to see objects or skills in action. The big Mulhouse collections lend themselves to a self-guided visit of at least two hours, ideal for families and reached by tram from the station. To see hot glass being worked, head to Meisenthal, where glassblowers give demonstrations, or book the guided tour of the Saint-Louis crystal works, open to ages 6 and up. Lovers of architecture and heritage will enjoy Troyes, where the Maison de l’Outil occupies the Renaissance Hôtel de Mauroy, and the Cité du Vitrail the Hôtel-Dieu-le-Comte. Finally, Wesserling combines an ecomuseum, gardens and industrial buildings over a full day.
How to choose?
If you are visiting as a family
A free activity booklet at the Cité du Train, karting for 4–8-year-olds at the Automobile Museum, and games, huts and a barefoot trail at Wesserling.
🖼️ Cité du Train — French Railway Museum🖼️ National Automobile Museum – Schlumpf Collection✨ Parc de Wesserling – Gardens
If you are travelling without a car
Both Mulhouse museums are served by tram from the station, and the Troyes museums are a 10- to 15-minute walk from the station.
🖼️ National Automobile Museum – Schlumpf Collection🖼️ Cité du Train — French Railway Museum🖼️ Maison de l’Outil et de la Pensée Ouvrière (Museum of Tools)🖼️ Cité du Vitrail (Stained Glass Centre)
If you want to watch craftspeople at work
Glassblowing demonstrations at Meisenthal and a guided tour of the crystal works at Saint-Louis-lès-Bitche, for ages 6 and up.
✨ Meisenthal Glassworks✨ La Grande Place – Saint-Louis Crystal Museum
If you are on a tight budget
The Cité du Vitrail is free for under-26s and on the first Sunday of the month, the Maison de l’Outil for under-12s, and Meisenthal offers free entry to accompanied under-18s on Wednesdays outside school holidays.
🖼️ Cité du Vitrail (Stained Glass Centre)🖼️ Maison de l’Outil et de la Pensée Ouvrière (Museum of Tools)✨ Meisenthal Glassworks
ComparisonData taken from each listing, checked against official sources
| Place or activity | When | Time needed | Who it suits | Getting there |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| National Automobile Museum – Schlumpf Collection📍 Haut-Rhin (68) | All year round, every day including public holidays, except 25 December | About 2 hours according to the museum; half a day with the activities | Families, car enthusiasts; children’s go-karting for ages 4–8 | Mulhouse station then tram 1 to the “Musée de l’Auto” stop; A35/A36 exit Mulhouse-Centre, paying car park |
| Cité du Train — French Railway Museum📍 Haut-Rhin (68) | All year except 25 December; 10:00–18:00 from April to October, 10:00–17:00 the rest of the year | 2 hrs 30 on average according to the museum, at least 2 hrs | All ages; free activity booklet for children at reception | Tram line 3, “Musées” stop, from Mulhouse railway station; A35/A36 exit Mulhouse Dornach, free car park |
| La Grande Place – Saint-Louis Crystal Museum📍 Saint-Louis-lès-Bitche · Moselle (57) | All year, Tuesday to Sunday (closed Mondays, 1 January and 25 December) | About 1 hr 30 for the museum; a further 1 hr 30 for the guided factory tour | All ages; factory tour from age 6; route accessible to visitors with reduced mobility | Rue Coëtlosquet, Saint-Louis-lès-Bitche, in the Northern Vosges Regional Nature Park; car park opposite |
| Meisenthal Glassworks📍 Meisenthal · Moselle (57) | From 1 April to 1 November 2026, Tuesday to Sunday 13:30–18:00; Christmas season: see the website | Last ticket sales at 17:15, closing at 18:00 | Families: free entry on Wednesdays (outside school holidays) for accompanied under-18s | Place Robert Schuman, 57960 Meisenthal, in the Pays de Bitche (Northern Vosges) |
| Parc de Wesserling – Gardens📍 Husseren-Wesserling · Haut-Rhin (68) | Season from 1 May to 1 November 2026, daily; Noël au Jardin (Christmas in the Garden) in December | Half a day to a full day | Families; games, huts and a barefoot trail for children | Husseren-Wesserling station (Mulhouse–Kruth line) 800 m away; 35 km from Mulhouse; car park at 5 Rue des Fabriques, Fellering |
| Maison de l’Outil et de la Pensée Ouvrière (Museum of Tools)📍 Aube (10) | All year round; closed on Tuesdays from October to March and over the end-of-year holidays | 1 hr 30 to 2 hours | All ages; free children’s booklets; permanent collections accessible to people with reduced mobility | 7 Rue de la Trinité, Troyes historic centre; 10 min walk from the station (1 hr 30 from Paris-Est) |
| Cité du Vitrail (Stained Glass Centre)📍 Aube (10) | All year round, Tuesday to Sunday (closed on 1 January, 1 May, 1 and 11 November, 25 December) | — | All ages; fully accessible route, workshops for ages 7–10 | Troyes station 1.1 km away (15 min on foot) or free town-centre shuttle, Cité stop; free parking on Rue des Trois-Ormes |
Map: Technical and craft museums in the Grand Est
When to go?
- JanPossible
- FebPossible
- MarPossible
- AprPossible
- MayPossible
- JunPossible
- JulPeak season
- AugPeak season
- SeptPeak season
- OctPossible
- NovPossible
- DecPossible
Peak season Possible Off season
📅 Technical museums are a safe bet in bad weather and most can be visited all year round; the seasonal sites of Meisenthal and Wesserling open from spring to early November, then reopen for their Christmas programmes.
Tips & insider advice
- In Mulhouse, take the tram
From the station, tram 1 serves the “Musée de l’Auto” stop and tram 3 the “Musées” stop, for the Cité du Train.
- Mind the closing days
Saint-Louis, Meisenthal and the Cité du Vitrail close on Mondays, and the Maison de l’Outil on Tuesdays from October to March: check before setting off.
- See hot glass being worked
To watch glassblowers at work, combine Meisenthal with the guided tour of the Saint-Louis crystal works, both in the Pays de Bitche.
- Meisenthal in the run-up to Christmas
The glassworks, birthplace of the blown-glass Christmas bauble, revived in 1998–1999, holds a Christmas season: check its website for dates.
- Allow plenty of time in Mulhouse
Allow around 2 hours at the Automobile Museum and 2 hours 30 minutes at the Cité du Train: doing both easily fills a day.
- Look out for free entry
The Cité du Vitrail is free on the first Sunday of the month and for under-26s; the Cité du Train is free for under-4s.
Frequently asked questions
What is there to see in Mulhouse for engineering fans?
The Musée National de l’Automobile – Schlumpf Collection, which brings together more than 450 cars, and the Cité du Train, the SNCF heritage museum with 60,000 m² of exhibition space. Both are open all year except 25 December and are served by tram.
Where can I see glassblowers in the Grand Est?
At the Meisenthal glassworks site, which offers glassblowing demonstrations and is open from April to early November, Tuesday to Sunday afternoons. At Saint-Louis-lès-Bitche, the guided tour of the crystal works complements the museum visit, for ages 6 and up.
Which technical museums can I visit in Troyes?
The Maison de l’Outil et de la Pensée Ouvrière, devoted to hand tools and the craftsmanship of the Compagnons du Devoir, in the Hôtel de Mauroy, and the Cité du Vitrail, housed in the Hôtel-Dieu-le-Comte. Both are a 10- to 15-minute walk from the station.
Are these museums open all year round?
Yes for the Automobile Museum, the Cité du Train, La Grande Place at Saint-Louis, the Maison de l’Outil and the Cité du Vitrail, subject to weekly closing days. Meisenthal (April to early November) and Wesserling (May to early November) are seasonal, with a Christmas programme.
Information checked in October 2026. Opening hours, prices and conditions may change: check the official website before you travel.