Molsheim: Old Town, Museums and History

Several themes can help you plan a stay in Molsheim: historic buildings, museums and collections, the annual May 1 market, and the wine and river landscape. Molsheim lies on the northern section of the Alsace Wine Route. These highlights are quite distinct: the market takes place on a fixed date each year, while the history of the buildings and collections offers a historical perspective.

Buildings and Collections in Molsheim

The Musée de la Chartreuse is housed in a former Carthusian monastery, classified as a Monument historique since 1998. The collections of the Musée d’Histoire et d’Archéologie de la Chartreuse offer another historical perspective. They include archaeological finds from prehistoric and protohistoric excavations in Achenheim and Dachstein, as well as from the Gallo-Roman site at Heiligenberg. This brings several periods and locations into view: the early excavation contexts at Achenheim and Dachstein, and the Gallo-Roman connection with Heiligenberg.

The Catholic Church of Saint-Georges is also known for its former use: it was Molsheim’s former Jesuit church and was classified as a Monument historique by decree on April 25, 1939. The Chapelle Notre-Dame offers a different architectural accent. It is a Neo-Gothic chapel of the Chanoinesses, built between 1864 and 1867 and dedicated to the Sacred Heart. Its date and dedication give you two specific points of reference if you would like to explore Molsheim’s religious architectural history in more depth.

The Metzig is notable for its former use. Animals were once slaughtered and sold on the ground floor; upstairs was a large hall for banquets and meetings of the butchers’ guild. The building’s historic function thus combined sales with the guild’s social gatherings. The Fondation Bugatti offers another theme: it presents cars, unusual objects and numerous documents commemorating the automobile designer Ettore Bugatti.

Market and Exploring the Old Town

The Braderie du 1er mai has been held every year on May 1 since 1962 and features around 200 stalls. Its date sets it apart from the buildings and collections: if you are planning your trip specifically around the market, check the event details for the date in question in advance.

The Explor Game “Le Mystère de la Chartreuse” offers a different way to explore the old town. The game guides you through Molsheim’s centuries-old streets using a tablet. It offers its own way to discover the urban landscape, while the museums and historic buildings each focus on different subjects. If this activity is central to your plans, check the latest operating details in advance.

Wine and River Landscape

The Grand Cru Bruderthal is a historic vineyard site in Molsheim. It has been mentioned among the vineyards owned by the Bishopric of Strasbourg since 1316. This long-standing historical connection adds a specific point of reference to the northern section of the Alsace Wine Route. It gives your trip a distinct theme alongside architectural and urban history.

The stretch of the Bruche in Molsheim also has a clearly defined landscape setting: an active protected area lies between the locality of La Pierre Carrée downstream and the boundary at the Molsheim sign on Route des Loisirs upstream. These landmarks locate the stretch along the river without implying that the protected area is the same as other parts of the Bruche.

The Étangs du Zich comprise the Étang bassin, the Étang de concours, the Étang des Iris and the Étang des Joncs. They are fed by water from the Bruche. The ponds are home to freshwater fish such as roach, crucian carp, pike and common carp. Together with the protected area along the Bruche, the four named ponds form a clearly defined natural setting among the Molsheim themes discussed here. This makes it possible to choose a travel focus based on specific differences: an annual market date, historic buildings and collections, or the wine and river landscape.

Discover more destinations: Batzendorf, Hindisheim, Hoenheim, Rosheim, Dossenheim-Sur-Zinsel, Reichsfeld, Breitenbach, Hengwiller

For the wider travel overview: Bas-Rhin.