An eclectic delight has come to the town of Bitche France! A Museum of Urban and Street Art called ‘MAUSA on the Bitche – Musée d’Art Urbain et du Street Art’ has taken over a former Prussian military barracks. A gallery owner across from the delightful restaurant, Gourmand ’10, told us about the new addition to town, and a quick walk brought us to the new museum.
Still a work in progress, street artists from all over the world are traveling to Bitche to fill their own unique canvas, in the form of an entire room in the building. The museum remains open during artistic residencies, so visitors can watch the work as it happens, and interact with the artists. The museum had six rooms completed when we visited, but more have sprung up since our visit, and more will come soon. It’s a fantastic immersive experience, and well worth visiting!
We met the founder of this hidden gem during our visit. Stanislaus Belhomme commented on the museum’s unlikely location. He said he wanted to “turn a place of war into a place of peace.”
The Museum of Urban and Street Art owns two of the buildings on the complex. This means peace has a lot of room to expand from where it started this summer!
Nearby Attractions in Bitche France
Citadelle de Bitche
A visit to MAUSA can easily be added to a visit to the large and imposing Citadelle de Bitche France with its rich Franco-Prussian War history. You’ll see the Citadel looming over the town as you enter. Your ticket will take you on a tour of the citadelle with an audio guide and a dramatic movie which recreates the Seige of Bitche in the 1870s.
There’s also a small but interesting museum on the top of the ramparts next to a small cafe, and a little gift shop with souvenirs.
Old Town
The historical center of Bitche offers quaint streets, charming squares, and lots of old Alsatian-style half timbered houses. It’s easy to explore on foot, with cafes, local shops, pizza places, galleries, churches, flower shops, bakeries, and small boutiques offering regional products, including local wines and cheeses – and lots of rustic charm.
You’ll also see signage with a distinct German flavor, reminding you that this territory on the contentious border region of Germany and France has changed hands many times over the centuries.
The Sons of Bitche
‘The Sons of Bitche’ was the affectionate nickname for the US troops who liberated the city in 1945, at the end of World War II. You will find an amazing and emotional World War II photo opp that I wrote about which tells the story of a hidden U.S. flag, and the moment it was flown in the town.
Then enjoy a delicious lunch or dinner. And don’t forget a trip to one of Bitche’s amazing and deliciously decadent patisseries to end a perfect day trip.
- Open Tuesday to Sunday, 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Admission is free.
- The museum is closed for annual holidays during the month of January.
- Check out the museum, and it’s companion site in Alsace.
- You can also follow MAUSA on Facebook for all the latest news and art.
- Here’s a link to the current weather in Bitche.
You may also enjoy:
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- Is Versailles Worth It? Bastille Day in France
- The Sons of Bitche (France) and an Epic ‘Then and Now’ Photo Op!
- 28 Best Day Trips from Kaiserslautern: Your Ultimate Guide
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