France Guide
Alsace and Lorraine
Palais Rohan
Opening time: Mon & Wed– Fri noon–6pm, Sat & Sun 10am–6pm; closed Tues and public hols
Price: €4 each
Next to the cathedral, place du Château is enclosed to the south by the imposing Palais Rohan, designed for the immensely powerful Rohan family, who, for several generations, cornered the market in cardinals' hats. It now contains three museums: the Musée des Arts Décoratifs; the Musée des Beaux-Arts; and the rather specialist Musée Archéologique. Of the three collections, the Arts Décoratifs stands out; its collections include some fine eighteenth-century faïence tiles crafted in the city by Paul Hannong and some impressive trompe l'oeil crockery. The palace itself fell victim to the vicissitudes of the Revolution, following which the original furnishings were sold off. Although refurnished in period style, its vast, ostentatious rooms are not especially interesting.