Strasbourg's Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art: daring architecture and artistic treasures

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Are you planning a visit to the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art of Strasbourg (MAMCS)? That's a great idea! Its broad and valuable collection, spanning from 1870 to the present day, appeals to art lovers. The museum explores several artistic movements, including Impressionism, Art Deco, contemporary art, and Surrealism, with a total of more than 18,000 pieces. We'll tell you more right away!

The Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art of Strasbourg: an architectural gem

The MAMCS is the largest museum of modern and contemporary art in Eastern France. It was inaugurated in 1998 by Catherine Trautmann, former Minister of Culture and Mayor of Strasbourg. The MAMCS is a true architectural feat. This 13,000 m2 building, nestled on the left bank of the Ill and facing the Petite France district, was built by architect Adrien Fainsilber. 

It unveils a futuristic glass facade. Inside, a vast 109-meter-long and 25-meter-high glass nave creates an "interior street" bathed in light. This connects different immersive spaces and exhibition rooms. Outside, contemporary artworks adorn the building: the Fibonacci sequence by Mario Merz, the antique-inspired horse by Mimmo Paladino, and the large FAILE fresco.

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This museum perfectly blends art and bold architecture. It integrates wonderfully into the urban landscape. Its creator emphasizes: "the relationships with water, light, and the historic city have strongly influenced the organization of the site and that of the museum."

In this building, you can also find an auditorium, a museum library, a bookstore-boutique, and a restaurant.

A panorama of artistic creation from 1870 to the present day

The Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art of Strasbourg highlights major artistic movements (Impressionism, Art Deco, Surrealism, New Realism, Support(s)-Surface(s), and Fluxus). It is the only major French museum to offer a journey covering the period from 1870 to the present day. Its exceptional collection comes from legacies and donations, notably from the Arp family, as well as acquisitions from the National Museum of Modern Art and the Musée d'Orsay. Today, it includes numerous works:

• paintings, sculptures, design, and installations;
• graphic art cabinet (drawings and prints);
• photographs and videos.

Among the renowned artists represented, you will discover Impressionists (Monet, Pissarro, Sisley), pioneers of abstraction (František Kupka, Vassily Kandinsky), and contemporary figures (Xavier Veilhan, Franck Scurti, Bertrand Lavier). Artists native to Strasbourg and Alsace are also present, such as Jean Arp and Gustave Doré. A room dedicated to the latter houses one of his impressively sized paintings.

For its 20th anniversary in 2018, the museum completely redesigned its visitor itinerary with a new display entitled "Joyful Frictions". The aim was to create connections between movements, avoiding a purely chronological approach.

A hub of culture and discovery

The MAMCS hosts temporary exhibitions every year (4 to 5 times a year). These artistic projects of various sizes range from the complete renovation of a room to accommodate works to the installation of scenographic projects.

Alternating between modern and contemporary art, the MAMCS exhibitions offer a variety of artistic perspectives. The museum is also always on the lookout for news about artistic research, creation, and the mediation of artwork.

Among the notable exhibitions:

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• "Art is Arp" in 2009, exploring the various creative processes of this modern artist.
• "Daniel Buren, Like a Child's Game" in 2014: a contemporary creation of 1,500 m2 of colored tiles and a life-size construction game.
• "Tristan Tzara, the approximate man" in 2016, presenting 450 works by artists who worked with Tzara.
• "Laboratory of Europe, Strasbourg 1880-1930" in 2017, a multidisciplinary event dedicated to Strasbourg's cultural life.
• "Huysmans' Eye Manet, Degas, Moreau" in 2020, highlighting the writings, works, and objects that shaped Huysmans' worlds.
• "Marcelle Cahn, in search of space" in 2022, a retrospective dedicated to the artist.

Practical information about the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art of Strasbourg

The Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art of Strasbourg is ideally located in the city center, near the Covered Bridges and the Vauban dam, at the address: 1 place Hans-Jean-Arp. Its opening hours and admission fees can be found directly on the museum's website.

To access the museum, take bus line 4 or 10 - Art Moderne stop, or tram B or F - Musée d'Art Moderne stop. You can also reach the MAMCS on foot from the train station in just 9 minutes.

A guided tour is available for visually and hearing impaired people.

On site, the museum offers all kinds of amenities to make your visit enjoyable. You can also explore the museum library, stop at the bookstore, or take a moment to relax at the Art Café restaurant-café.

After exploring this fascinating cultural site, continue your journey with the Alsatian Museum, less than 2 km away! Then, join us at our B&B HOTEL Strasbourg Sud Geispolsheim to relax and recharge after this busy day. We look forward to seeing you!