Holiday in Mulhouse (France) – Automobile Museum, Perfume Flea Market and More…
There is a lot do in Mulhouse France, the second-largest city of southern Alsace. The rich textile heritage of Mulhouse translates to grand museums and shopping opportunities today.
Poignant monuments and inspiring architecture add to the city’s appeal. Both adults and kids will find a holiday here stimulating.
Since 2008, Mulhouse France has been called the “City of Art and History”. The Ministry of Culture conferred this title upon Mulhouse, making it the first Alsatian town to receive such recognition.
About Mulhouse France
The German word for the city is Mülhausen, which means “mill houses”. It accurately describes the humble beginnings of the city built on a marshy site.
Luckily, two rivers cross the territory. The villagers used these water sources to generate hydraulic power for running their mills.
With the power of the mills, the village had laid the foundation for its industrious future. Even today, the city uses the wheel of the mill as its symbol.
The village transformed into a city after the growth of the textile industry in the mid-18th century. Industrialization led to the development of transport systems, especially the railways.
Despite the bombings of 1944, the city continued to progress towards its industrious ambitions. By 1990, the city was set to undergo large-scale urbanization, never looking back.
Now, Mulhouse has become a hub of cultural sites, also offering many shopping avenues.
The Perfume Flea Market
Held twice a year, February and October, the perfume flea market is the go-to destination for perfume collectors. There is a wide array of rare vintage fragrances to choose from.
You can find legendary brands like Guerlain, Nina Ricci, Rochas, Cartier, Christian Dior, Chanel, Givenchy, Lancôme, Carven, Balenciaga, Coty, Lanvin, Schiaparelli, Jean Patou, Jacque Fath, Kenzo, Thierry Mugler, Hermès, Louis Vuitton, Armani, Gucci and many more. For the perfume aficionados, the market also has solid perfumes from Estée Lauder, the perfumes in Lalique and Baccarat Flacons and many decorative factices.
Perfume Flea Market – Mulhouse
The market is part of a bigger event called The Multicollections Club. Around 200 exhibitors are set to attend the event, which will take place on 22 October this year (2023).
Apart from perfumes, you can get a bargain on jewelry, toys, vinyl records and much more. Check out their event agenda here.
The National Automobile Museum
If you are into cars, the National Automobile Museum is where you should head. This national heritage site has more than 500 automobiles on display making it the largest car collection in the world.
All the cars in the establishment once belonged to two brothers, Fritz and Hans Schlumpf. They ran a successful textile company and had a passion for collecting the best automobiles.
As a result, many models here are exemplary, marking an important point in the history of automobiles. Rare cars like Bugatti Royale 1930, Peugeot Type 16 and Delahaye Type 135 M are on exhibition.
In addition to being a repository of car history the museum offers a lot of fun activities. You can even drive a vintage car of your dreams.
The museum hosts many events regularly. Check out the events scheduled on the day of your visit here.
La Crêperie Crampous Mad
Combining the cultures of Brittany and Alsace, this crêperie is a must-visit restaurant in Mulhouse. Take a break from your trip and indulge in fresh sweet crepes and savory galettes.
You can see the Breton and Alsatian influences in the interior design and presentation of the restaurant.
This blend of cultures is not limited only to visual aesthetics. The crêperie boasts of 100+ recipes cooked in the Breton tradition while keeping the tastes of Alsatians in mind.
La Crêperie believes in sourcing fresh local produce. All their eggs and most of their vegetables come from local vendors.
Even their pancakes are fresh. Yes, the crêperie only makes pancakes on demand, meaning you will never receive a stale order. Make a reservation today to enjoy these tasty treats.
Mulhouse Streets – Antique Shops and Church
Walking down the streets of Mulhouse you will be enthralled by its inspiring architecture and monumental buildings.
An important heritage site which proclaims the city’s protestant history is the Temple Saint-Étienne. This imposing building of neo-Gothic architecture happens to be the tallest protestant church in all of France.
Before its construction the site had another church dating back to the 1100’s. However, the building was dilapidated and in need of repair.
By 1866, the construction of Saint-Étienne was complete. Instead of doing away with the old the new church incorporated many of its vintage features, enhancing its aesthetic value.
Speaking of vintage, the streets of Mulhouse are home to many unique antique shops. The city comes from a rich textile background with many stores selling period fabric pieces perfect for an antiquary’s collection.
Mulhouse France offers many sites for the intellectually-inclined who are interested in learning about history and culture. That does not mean the city is devoid of entertainment.
The city has the theme park Parc du Petit Prince that guarantees a fun time with the family. There is also the zoo Parc Zoologique et Botanique with many amusing animals to observe.
So come along to Mulhouse and begin your adventure!
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