Musee du Jouet, Colmar

Museum in Colmar

Musee du Jouet
Musee du Jouet
CC BY-SA 4.0 / Gzen92

Musee du Jouet (the Toy Museum) is a cheerful, nostalgia-filled museum in the heart of Colmar's old town, set inside a former neighborhood cinema. Across three floors, it showcases toys from the 19th century to today, mixing classic dolls and teddy bears with pop-culture favorites and modern play.

It's an easy add-on to a walking tour of central Colmar: pair it with a stroll through the nearby lanes around Petite Venise, then duck inside for an hour of colorful displays and a few hands-on games before continuing your sightseeing.

History and Significance of the Musee du Jouet

Musee du Jouet opened in 1993, giving Colmar a museum that's both playful and surprisingly revealing about everyday life. Toys aren't just cute objects here; they're a window into changing materials, technology, childhood trends, and the way families spent leisure time across generations.

The museum’s setting in a former cinema suits the theme perfectly: it’s a place built for entertainment, now repurposed into a multi-level journey through play. Over time, the collection has grown into a broad snapshot of childhood, from early mass-produced toys to iconic brands and the rise of electronic games.

What makes it significant is how it balances nostalgia with context. Even if you arrive for the “aww” factor, you’ll leave with a clearer sense of how design, industry, and culture shaped what kids played with—and what adults hoped those toys would teach.

Things to See and Do in the Musee du Jouet

Start by taking your time with the themed display cases: you’ll spot everything from dolls and plush toys to miniature cars, construction toys, and familiar modern-era icons. The museum is compact, but the density of objects rewards slow looking, especially if you like spotting details from different decades.

A highlight for many visitors is the model train area, where multiple trains run and bring the displays to life. It’s the kind of section that pulls in kids and adults equally—kids for the movement, adults for the craftsmanship and nostalgia.

To keep the visit from feeling like “just looking,” the museum also includes play corners with board games and other simple activities. If you’re traveling with children (or you’re a big kid yourself), plan a few minutes per floor to actually play—those breaks make the visit feel more interactive.

How to Get to the Musee du Jouet

The nearest major airports are EuroAirport Basel–Mulhouse–Freiburg and Strasbourg Airport, with additional options via Zurich Airport if you're building a wider Alsace itinerary. For the best deals and a seamless booking experience, check out these flights to Colmar on Booking.com.

Colmar is well connected by rail, and arriving by train is often the simplest choice; from Colmar station you can reach the old town on foot or by a short local ride depending on your luggage.You can use SNCF Connect to check schedules, compare routes, and purchase tickets for National (SNCF ) and regional trains (TER). For a more streamlined experience, we recommend using Omio, which allows you to easily compare prices, schedules, and book tickets for both National and Regional travel across all of Europe, all in one place.

If you're driving, Colmar is straightforward to reach via the regional motorway network, and paid parking is available around the center—aim to park once and explore the old town on foot.If you are looking to rent a car in France I recommend having a look at Discover Cars, first, as they compare prices and review multiple car rental agencies for you.

Practical Tips on Visiting the Musee du Jouet

  • Official website: http://www.museejouet.com/
  • Entrance fee: Adults: €6.50; Youth (8–18): €5; Under 8: free.
  • Opening hours: (January – November) Monday, Wednesday – Sunday: 10:00–17:00; Closed on Tuesday. (July, August, December & French school holidays) Daily: 10:00–18:00. Closed: January 1, May 1, November 1, December 25.
  • Best time to visit: Go in the morning for a calmer experience, or use it as a rainy-day plan when Colmar’s streets are crowded. School-holiday periods can be busier, but they also tend to have longer opening hours.
  • How long to spend: Most visitors spend about 60–90 minutes. Add extra time if you want to linger at the model trains or play a few of the available games.
  • Accessibility: The museum is described as fully accessible for visitors with reduced mobility, but it’s still worth confirming any specific needs (elevators, door widths) before you go.
  • Facilities: Expect a ticket desk and basic visitor amenities; the museum is central, so cafés and bakeries are close by for before or after your visit.

Where to Stay Close to the Musee du Jouet

Base yourself in central Colmar’s old town if you want to walk everywhere, dip into museums between meals, and enjoy early-morning or late-evening strolls when the streets quiet down.

For a classic, upscale stay with a strong sense of place, consider a heritage-style hotel in the historic center that keeps you close to the museum and Colmar’s most photogenic lanes.

La Maison des Têtes Chosen for its landmark old-town setting and boutique feel—great if you want your hotel to be part of the Colmar experience.

Hostellerie Le Maréchal Included for its storybook location by the canals, ideal for couples and anyone prioritizing atmosphere.

Hôtel Saint-Martin A reliable central option that keeps you within easy walking distance of the museum and the main squares.

Novotel Suites Colmar Centre Picked for modern comfort and extra space—handy for families who want room to spread out after sightseeing.

ibis Colmar Centre A practical, budget-friendly choice near the center, useful if you’re prioritizing location and value over boutique styling.

Is the Musee du Jouet Worth Visiting?

Yes—especially if you enjoy nostalgia, design, or you’re traveling with kids. It’s a compact museum that delivers a lot in a short time: recognizable toys across eras, lively model trains, and just enough interactive elements to keep the visit from feeling static.

Honest Pivot: If you’re expecting a highly interactive, hands-on children’s museum with lots of digital experiences, you may be disappointed. It’s primarily a display-based museum, best for visitors who enjoy browsing collections and spotting familiar objects rather than doing structured activities.

What Other Travellers Say...

Reviews Summary

4.4 (3,764)

Reviews are strongly positive overall, with many travelers calling it a charming, nostalgic stop in central Colmar. Visitors frequently praise the variety of toys across eras (from classic dolls and teddy bears to modern icons), the model train displays, and the option to play board games or other activities during the visit. The most common downsides are that the museum is relatively small and that some guests expect a more interactive, hands-on experience than it actually offers.

Melanie Mengüş
3 months ago
"A fascinating museum about the history of toys. You can find many toys from different era like Barbie, teddy bears, dolls, cars, ... It's a prettysmall museum but you can spend an hour or more inside. There's also some board games that you can use during your visit which is nice. It's a museum for everybody but I would say mostly older kids and adults. It's more on the educational side which wasn't an issue for me. I learned a lot of things and enjoyed my time. Also the staff is lovely!..."
Fa Da
a week ago
"Not worth it, guys. We went there not with huge expectations, but at least thinking we get have a somewhat interactive experience which is not thecase at all. The museum is three storeys tall, the first floor dedicated to couple of games (mainly kids’ games and chess) to play, a carousel display and lego displays. The second floor is full of what feels like thrifted old dolls display, and a vitrine of a time-capsuled “playroom” and a philosophical wall on toys and the evolution thereof. The third floor is full of miniature cities of Alsace and miniature trains. Cute, but underwhelming...."
Marjorie Carr Zippert
6 months ago
"Its a small, very cute museum. At each floor, you will find board games or other activities to play with your kids, along with an exhibition of tousfrom different times. Last floor is dedicated to trains and several of them run!..."

For Different Travelers

Musee du Jouet works well as a flexible “in-between” stop: it's central, doesn't require a half-day commitment, and fits neatly into a classic Colmar itinerary. Your enjoyment will mostly depend on whether you like collection-style museums and how much nostalgia hits home.

Families with Kids

This is one of the easiest family wins in Colmar: three floors of colorful displays plus play corners that let kids take a break from “don't touch” museum rules. The running model trains are a standout and often become the moment kids remember most.

To keep everyone happy, treat it like a short, high-energy visit rather than trying to read every label. A quick loop, a little play time, and a train finale usually works better than a slow, exhaustive tour.

Couples & Romantic Getaways

For couples, the museum is a light, charming change of pace between scenic walks and long meals. It’s especially fun if you like pointing out toys from your childhood and comparing what you grew up with.

It also works well in colder months when you want an indoor activity that still feels distinctly “Colmar” thanks to its old-town setting. Pair it with a café stop nearby for an easy, low-effort afternoon.

Budget Travelers

The museum is a good-value hour in the center, and it can replace pricier activities when you want something structured without committing to a long visit. Because it’s walkable from most central sights, you’ll also save on local transport.

If you’re watching spending, consider building a museum-and-stroll day: do one paid museum, then balance it with free wandering through the old town, markets, and riverside lanes.

History Buffs

While it’s not a political-history museum, it’s surprisingly informative about social history: manufacturing, materials, and the evolution of childhood across eras. The displays can spark questions about education, gender roles in toys, and how technology changed play.

Go in with a “design and society” mindset and you’ll get more out of it. Look for how toys shift from handcrafted to mass-produced, and from purely mechanical to electronic and branded media tie-ins.

FAQs for Visiting Musee du Jouet

Getting There

Yes, it’s in the old town and fits easily into a walking day. If you’re already exploring central Colmar, you can usually reach it on foot.
It’s close enough to reach on foot for many travelers, especially with light luggage. If you have bags or limited mobility, a short local ride can be more comfortable.
Parking in central Colmar is typically paid and can fill up in peak periods. The simplest approach is to park once and do the rest of your day on foot.

Tickets & Entry

Usually not for a small museum, but it can help during school holidays or busy weekends. If you’re on a tight schedule, buying ahead can reduce waiting.
Yes, there are typically reduced prices for children and free entry for very young kids. Check the official pricing list before you go so you know what applies to your group.
Some regional or city passes may include the museum. If you’re planning multiple attractions, a pass can be worth comparing against individual tickets.

Visiting Experience

No—adults often enjoy it just as much for the nostalgia and design history. Families will find it easy, but it’s not exclusively a kids’ attraction.
There are some play areas and games, but much of the visit is viewing displays. If you want a fully hands-on museum, set expectations accordingly.
The running model trains are a frequent favorite. Many visitors also love the variety of recognizable toys across different decades.

Tours, Context & Itineraries

Yes, it’s ideal as a mid-route indoor stop. Do the old town first, then visit the museum, then continue toward Petite Venise or the main squares.
Absolutely, because it’s central and doesn’t require a long time commitment. It’s a convenient way to keep your day moving when the weather turns.
It sometimes runs workshops or short themed visits. If you’re traveling with kids, it’s worth checking what’s on during your dates.

Photography

Policies can vary by exhibition and object type. Look for signage at the entrance or ask staff before photographing.
Most small museums restrict tripods to avoid crowding and protect displays. If you need one, ask in advance.
Yes, the displays are colorful and nostalgic. Just be mindful of other visitors and any no-photo areas.

Accessibility & Facilities

It is described as fully accessible for visitors with reduced mobility. If you have specific requirements, confirm details before arrival.
Most museums have visitor restrooms, but availability can vary by floor and layout. It’s easiest to ask at the ticket desk when you enter.
Generally yes if the building has step-free access between floors. In busy periods, a compact stroller is easier to manage.

Food & Breaks Nearby

Don’t count on an on-site café. The good news is you’re in central Colmar with plenty of cafés and bakeries nearby.
Head toward the old town’s main pedestrian streets for easy takeaway options. You’ll find pastries, sandwiches, and hot drinks within a few minutes’ walk.
Colmar has pleasant outdoor spots, especially near canals and small squares. Pick up something simple and enjoy a short break before your next stop.

Safety & Timing

It can feel busy because it’s a smaller museum with narrow viewing points. Visit earlier in the day or outside holiday periods for more breathing room.
Mornings are usually quieter. Late afternoons can also work if you’re timing it between other attractions.
Yes, it’s one of the easiest museums in Colmar to do in under two hours. That makes it great for half-day itineraries or travel days.

Nearby Attractions to the Musee du Jouet

  • Petite Venise: Colmar’s postcard-pretty canal area, perfect for a short stroll and photos.
  • Musée Unterlinden: The city’s flagship art museum, known for major collections and a landmark setting.
  • Maison Pfister: An iconic historic house that's one of Colmar's most recognizable façades.
  • Koïfhus (Ancienne Douane): A historic customs building that anchors the old town's central atmosphere.
  • Musée Bartholdi: A museum dedicated to the sculptor behind the Statue of Liberty, set in his birthplace.

The Musee du Jouet appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Colmar!

Moira & Andy
Moira & Andy

Hey! We're Moira & Andy. From hiking the Camino to trips around Europe in Bert our campervan — we've been traveling together since retirement in 2020!

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Planning Your Visit

Hours:

(January - November) Monday, Wednesday - Sunday: 10:00-17:00; Closed on Tuesday.

(July, August, December & French school holidays) Daily: 10:00-18:00.

Closed: January 1, May 1, November 1, December 25.

Price:

Adults: €6.50; Youth (8-18): €5; Under 8: free.

Address: 40 Rue Vauban, 68000 Colmar, France
Colmar: 1 km
Telephone: +33 3 89 41 93 10
Official Website

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