Historial franco-allemand du Hartmannswillerkopf

The Franco-German museum sits on Hartmannswillerkopf mountain in a modern building at approximately 900 meters elevation and displays military items, photographs, and documents from World War I. The building contains exhibition spaces with different types of media presentations and overlooks the surrounding mountain terrain.

The museum opened in 2014 and documents the battles that took place on Hartmannswillerkopf during World War I, when this mountain peak was contested between opposing armies. The site saw intense fighting that claimed many lives.

This place tells the story of shared memory between France and Germany, focusing on what World War I meant for ordinary soldiers and their families on both sides. Visitors see how this past continues to shape understanding between the two nations today.

The mountain is relatively remote and visitors should expect some hiking to reach the museum. Weather at this elevation can change quickly, so appropriate clothing matters.

The museum sits beside a cemetery and preserved trenches, where visitors can directly see how fighting armies lived and battled on this mountain. This direct access to preserved battlefield landscapes transforms the experience beyond a simple indoor exhibition.