Cité de l'Automobile

The Cité de l'Automobile is an automobile museum in Mulhouse, France, housed in a former wool factory. The exhibition space covers several interconnected halls displaying vehicles from all decades of the 20th century.

The collection began in 1957 when the Schlumpf brothers started gathering historic cars in their factory. After their flight to Switzerland, the French state opened the collection as a museum to the public in 1982.

The name recalls the Schlumpf brothers, who collected automobiles here while running their textile factory. Visitors today walk through halls where the cars are arranged by brand and era, often displayed in recreated street scenes or workshop settings.

The halls are accessible and offer enough room to move between the exhibits. Anyone wishing to visit all areas should plan at least two hours.

Two of the six surviving Bugatti Royale worldwide are kept here, including the Napoleon Coupe and the Royale Esders. These models are considered the largest and most expensive cars of their time.

Location: Mulhouse

Inception: 1978

Official opening: July 10, 1982

Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible

Address: Rue de l’épée 68

Opening Hours: January 04-February 05: Monday-Friday 13:00-17:00; January 04-February 05: Saturday,Sunday 10:00-17:00; February 06-March 25: 10:00-17:00; March 26-November 01: 10:00-18:00; November 02-December 31: 10:00-17:00

Phone: +33389332323

Website: https://musee-automobile.fr

GPS coordinates: 47.76083,7.32861

Latest update: December 5, 2025 22:30