The Cité de l'Automobile in Mulhouse is built around the Schlumpf collection, assembled by two textile-mill brothers who spent years quietly buying historic cars, with a special passion for Bugatti. When the mill business collapsed, the collection came to public attention and was eventually turned into a national museum. Today it fills a huge hall with several hundred vehicles from the earliest horseless carriages to modern racing and sports cars, arranged beneath rows of period street lamps that give the room a theatrical glow. The Bugatti holdings are the heart of the collection and include rare and valuable models, and there are also fine examples from Mercedes, Ferrari, Rolls-Royce, Peugeot, Renault and many other makers. You do not need to be a petrolhead to enjoy it: the cars are beautiful objects, and the way they are displayed tells a story of design, engineering and luxury across more than a century. It is a favourite for rainy days, for families with older children, and for anyone who wants something different from half-timbered villages. Mulhouse is about forty minutes from Colmar by car, and the museum is easy to combine with other southern Alsace sights.
What to see
Take the main hall slowly, following the layout from early motoring to the golden age of luxury and racing. Look for the tall, elegant Bugatti touring cars, the sleek racing machines and the giant limousines whose scale and detail are astonishing. Information panels and audio guides explain provenance and technical details, and special sections explore themes such as design, competition and the history of the collection itself. There are also simulators and activities for visitors, a shop and a cafe, so you can make a half-day of it.
Planning the visit
The museum is large and mostly flat, with wide aisles that suit wheelchairs and pushchairs, and it is well signposted. Allow at least two hours, and more if you are passionate about cars. Weekdays outside holidays are quieter, and the main hall is lit evenly so photography is rewarding.
Check the opening days and hours with the museum, since patterns change by season, and consider buying tickets in advance in the holidays. Children older than about seven are likely to enjoy it more than very small ones, though the broad aisles are friendly to little legs.
Combining it
Mulhouse also has other museums, including a major railway museum, so rail and car enthusiasts can build a full day around the city. Alternatively, pair the museum with the Ecomusée d'Alsace at Ungersheim, which lies between Mulhouse and Colmar, for a family day mixing living history and engineering. If you do not have a car, trains link Colmar and Mulhouse in about half an hour, and local trams or buses serve the museum area, so check timetables and transfers beforehand.
Return to Colmar in time for dinner in the old town, and book restaurant tables ahead at weekends and in December. Bring a jacket for the large hall, which can feel cool, and plan a snack or coffee in the museum cafe so that you can see everything without rushing. Photographers should note that the lighting is atmospheric rather than bright, so a steady hand or a camera that copes with low light helps.
What to expect
The experience
A self-guided walk through a huge hall of historic cars, with audio guides, information panels and some interactive activities.
Best time
Weekday mornings outside school holidays; it is a good wet-weather choice at any time of year.
How long
Two to three hours, longer for enthusiasts, plus about forty minutes each way.
Tips
Take an audio guide, check opening days with the museum, and consider combining with another southern Alsace sight.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Car lovers, rainy days and anyone who wants a break from villages and vineyards.
- Families
- Best for children from about seven; wide aisles and simulators keep them engaged.
- Couples
- A surprisingly glamorous afternoon among gleaming classics, followed by dinner back in Colmar.
- Pair with
- The Ecomusée d'Alsace at Ungersheim, or the railway museum in Mulhouse for a full transport day.
- Time needed
- Half a day including travel.
Good questions
How far is Mulhouse from Colmar?+
About forty kilometres, roughly forty minutes by car, and around half an hour by train, with a local transfer to the museum.
What is the Schlumpf collection?+
It is the large collection of historic cars, especially Bugattis, assembled by the Schlumpf brothers, now the core of the national automobile museum.
How long should I allow?+
Two to three hours covers the main hall, and enthusiasts can easily spend half a day.
Is it good for children?+
Yes for children who are interested in cars, particularly from about seven upward. Younger ones enjoy the space but may tire sooner.
Is it accessible?+
The halls are wide and largely flat, which suits wheelchairs and pushchairs. Confirm specific needs with the museum before you travel.
