Visit to the Hansi Museum

Jean-Jacques Waltz, nicknamed Hansi or Uncle Hansi, was born in Colmar in 1873. Throughout his life as an artist, he made a name for himself with his illustrations, caricatures and watercolours. His works depict an Alsace that is proud of its traditions, its land and its products. In his works, he gives vibrant accounts of everyday life in Alsatian villages in the last century, and has thus become a true ambassador of Alsatian popular traditions! Through his books, engravings, posters, advertisements and signs, Hansi conveys all his love for Alsace! He is best known for the characters in his book "Mon Village".

The Hansi Village and its museum are located right in the centre of Colmar, opposite the famous Maison des Têtes. Covering an area of 700m2, the visit to the museum is both comprehensive and fun. It begins with the discovery of a magnificent reconstruction of a traditional Alsatian village. This allows visitors to plunge straight into Hansi's world, as if they were projected into one of his works, with its cobbled streets and colourful houses.

The museum allows you to explore the Alsatian landscapes painted by Uncle Hansi, in around ten exhibition rooms featuring unique and original works. You'll discover the different techniques the artist used and his style, which was both incisive and naive.

On the first floor of the museum, you can discover all the charm of Hansi's region, which he captured in his vision of an ideal Alsace. The visit also retraces the major periods in the life of the famous illustrator, watercolourist and caricaturist.

The museum tour has been designed with families in mind, with a fun trail that will delight young and old alike. For younger visitors, don't hesitate to ask for a booklet of games at reception, so that they can discover the life of the famous artist in a fun way! Finally, in the shop area, you'll find a wide range of Alsatian specialities from the Marché de l'Oncle Hansi range.

Le Marché de l'Oncle Hansi is a brand that perpetuates the artist's commitment to and love of Alsace and its terroir through a selection of regional products. The brand brings together some fifteen players in the Alsatian food, tableware and publishing industries, who have joined forces to create a comprehensive range of quality Alsatian products.

These products are also intended to breathe new life into the illustrations created by Hansi. In fact, he himself designed numerous labels, postcards and advertising posters representing Alsatian specialities, as well as creating the decorations for entire dinner services and illustrating numerous menus.

The Marché de l'Oncly Hansi is a brilliant way of combining traditional know-how and recipes with the imagery created by Hansi. These products will make an ideal gift or souvenir of your stay in Colmar!

Situated just opposite the Hansi Village and Museum, the Maison des Têtes is a half-timbered house steeped in history that has been transformed into a 5-star hotel with discreet luxury, a member of Relais & Châteaux. The hotel's contemporary decor and choice of natural colours make the most of the superb original traditional woodwork. La Maison des Têtes is one of the finest hotels in Colmar, and the promise of a charming stay!