Écomusée d’Alsace
Grand Est
The Écomusée d’Alsace, located in Ungersheim in the Grand Est region of France, is the country's largest open-air museum. It features around 80 authentic Alsatian rural buildings, including half-timbered houses, workers' homes, a town hall, a fortified tower, a festival hall, a farm, a school, and washhouses, many dating back to the 15th century. These buildings form a reconstructed village that immerses visitors in early 20th-century Alsatian rural life. The museum preserves and demonstrates traditional crafts, agricultural practices, and cultural customs, often hosting seasonal festivals aligned with the liturgical calendar. It also plays a vital role in environmental preservation and biodiversity. Founded in the 1970s by ethnologist Marc Grodwohl and volunteers aiming to save endangered Alsatian houses, the museum opened in 1984 and has since expanded its collection with donations of historical artifacts and agricultural tools. The museum grounds include natural areas and animal enclosures, offering interactive experiences such as boat rides on an artificial river fed by the Thur. The Écomusée d’Alsace is a dynamic cultural institution committed to heritage transmission through artisan training and educational programs for youth.
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Tip: Visit during traditional festival periods like Easter or the Spring Festival to experience authentic Alsatian celebrations. Purchase tickets in advance online to avoid queues. The museum offers discounts for groups and educational visits. Allocate a full day to explore the village and attend live demonstrations. Wear comfortable shoes for walking the extensive grounds. Check the official website for seasonal events and opening hours.
Interesting facts
- •The museum comprises about 80 authentic Alsatian buildings, some dating back to the 15th century.
- •An artificial river fed by the Thur allows visitors to take boat rides and explore a recreated ecosystem.
- •A historic carousel dating from 1909 was once part of the museum but was sold to Europa-Park in 2012 due to financial constraints.
- •The site is located near the Rodolphe potash mine industrial wasteland, linking rural and industrial heritage.
- •The museum hosts numerous traditional festivals aligned with the liturgical calendar, such as Easter and Spring festivals.
History
The Écomusée d’Alsace was initiated in the 1970s by Marc Grodwohl and volunteers from the association Maisons Paysannes d’Alsace to save traditional Alsatian houses threatened with demolition.
Unable to preserve all buildings in their original locations, they deconstructed and relocated them to a site in Ungersheim, near a former potash mine industrial wasteland.
The museum opened in 1984 with support from local authorities and has since developed into France’s largest open-air museum.
Over the years, the collection was enriched by donations of historical objects, and infrastructure like an artificial river and a historic carousel were added.
The museum has undergone organizational changes and refocused on its cultural mission while preserving Alsatian heritage and environment.
Place Guide
Half-Timbered Houses15th century onwards
Traditional Alsatian houses with timber framing, showcasing rural architecture and domestic life from the 15th century onward.
Town Hall and Fortified TowerVarious, including medieval periods
Central civic buildings representing local governance and medieval defensive architecture within the village layout.
Traditional Farm and Barns
Exhibits of agricultural life including farming tools, animal enclosures, and demonstrations of traditional farming techniques.
School and WashhouseEarly 20th century
Reconstructed educational and communal facilities illustrating early 20th-century rural community life in Alsace.
Artificial River and Boat Rides1989
A man-made river fed by the Thur river where visitors can take boat rides and observe a recreated natural ecosystem.
Contact
Phone: 03 89 74 44 74
