Auguste Bartholdi was born in Colmar in 1834, and the house on Rue des Marchands where he grew up is now a museum devoted entirely to his life and work. It is a modest visit rather than a blockbuster, spread over three floors of a handsome town house, and its charm lies in the personal detail. The rooms hold the family's furniture and souvenirs, together with models, drawings, paintings, engravings and photographs that show how an Alsatian boy became one of the best-known sculptors of the nineteenth century. Bartholdi created the Statue of Liberty, given by France to the United States and dedicated in 1886, and the museum follows its long gestation through studies and models. He also made the monumental Lion of Belfort and several monuments around Colmar itself, including the fountain in the old town. Visitors who have seen the statue in New York will enjoy comparing the small models here with the finished colossus, and anyone interested in nineteenth-century Franco-American friendship will find context. The tourist office describes the museum as taking about an hour and a half, and tickets are priced at a few euros, with free entry for under-eighteens.
What you will see
The ground floor sets the family scene, with period rooms and the sculptor's mother, who exerted a strong influence on his career. Upper floors move through his work, with plaster models of monuments, preparatory sketches and photographs showing the Statue of Liberty under construction in Paris. Temporary exhibitions change, and the tourist office notes a regular exhibition on how statues are made, which gives useful context to the models on display.
Making the most of it
The museum is small, so it rewards a short, focused visit rather than a long one. Pair it with a walk through the old town to find Bartholdi's other traces, including the fountain on the square by the old customs house and a replica of the Statue of Liberty near the entrance to the city, which makes a fun stop for children and photographers. The museum itself needs no preparation, so you can simply turn up.
Practicalities
The museum is on Rue des Marchands in the heart of the old town, a few minutes from the Unterlinden Museum and Petite Venise. Opening days follow the usual French museum pattern, closed on Mondays and open the rest of the week with a lunchtime break, but hours change by season, so confirm on the tourist office page before you go.
The building has stairs between floors, so access for wheelchairs is limited. It is a good choice for a drizzly morning, for history lovers, and for travellers from the United States who want a little more of the story behind the statue.
What to expect
The experience
A self-guided visit through the sculptor's birthplace across three floors, with family rooms, models, drawings and photographs.
Best time
Mid-morning or mid-afternoon, avoiding the lunchtime break; it is rarely crowded.
How long
About an hour to an hour and a half.
Tips
Check the season's hours, since the museum is closed on Mondays and breaks at midday, and combine it with the old-town fountain and the Statue of Liberty replica.
Quick picks
- Best for
- History lovers, visitors from the United States, and anyone curious about the Statue of Liberty's origins.
- Families
- Best for older children who know the statue; younger ones may prefer the Toy Museum.
- Couples
- A calm, inexpensive hour in the old town on a wet morning.
- Pair with
- Unterlinden Museum, the old-town fountain and a stroll through Petite Venise.
- Time needed
- Plan about ninety minutes.
Good questions
Who was Auguste Bartholdi?+
He was a Colmar-born sculptor, born in 1834, best known for designing the Statue of Liberty. He also made the Lion of Belfort and several monuments in his home town.
Is the Bartholdi Museum in his birthplace?+
Yes. The museum is in the house on Rue des Marchands where he was born and grew up, and it keeps family furniture and personal belongings alongside his work.
When is it closed?+
The tourist office lists it as closed on Mondays, with a lunchtime break on other days. Hours vary by season, so check ahead before a short trip.
How much does it cost?+
Admission is a few euros, with reduced rates and free entry for under-eighteens. It is among the cheapest museums in town.
Can I see the Statue of Liberty replica?+
A smaller replica of the Statue of Liberty stands near the entrance to Colmar, and a Bartholdi fountain sits in the old town. Both are free to see and easy to add to a walk.
