MULHOUSE – www.tourisme-mulhouse.com
Mulhouse takes just pride in being – and offering – something a little different. In a land dominated by Catholicism, Mulhouse is home to France’s tallest Protestant church. In a country known for buttery and creamy sauces, Mulhouse delivers a more tart punch through its emblematic sauerkrauts. And at a time of industrial decline in other regions, Mulhouse embraces its manufacturing prowess through its museums and as part of its present economy. All that while also staying environmentally conscious (through its eco-museum and its zoo focused on preserving endangered species) and playing an important role in Alsace’s vaunted wine traditions.
Fun Facts
The world’s biggest car collection open to the public is in Mulhouse, hosted in the Cité de l'Automobile, Musée national de l'automobile, Collection Schlumpf.
Given its industrial underpinnings, Mulhouse has been nicknamed "the French Manchester" or the "city with a hundred chimneys.”
Significant Site
Temple Saint-Etienne: the only protestant church on a main square in France and the tallest protestant building in France
Extraordinary Exhibits
Cité du Train / Cité de l'Automobile: respectively the largest railway and automobile museums in Europe (for trains) and the world (for automobiles)
Delectable Delights
sauerkraut: emblematic meal of pickled cabbage, sausages, smoked bacon and potatoes, best eaten in a winstub (local restaurant)
Alsace wines: the famous Alsace Wine Route is 25km from Mulhouse and leads through medieval villages where wines are tasted directly at the growers
Legendary Local
François Florent: actor and founder of the Cours Florent, one of France's most prestigious drama schools
Also in the Area
Colmar: capital of central Alsace, with a wealth of historical and architectural heritage, and amazing Christmas market
Basel and Freiburg: just across the nearby borders in Switzerland and Germany are Freiburg and the Black Forest, as well as Basel and its art museums
Vosges Mountains: a mild mountain landscape for hiking and enjoying local food in “farm inns”
Access from Paris
by road: about 5 hours (296 miles) via the A5 autoroute de l'Est
by train: about 2 hours 40 by TGV from the Gare de Lyon
For more about what to see and do in and around Mulhouse, click here