Château des Rohan
The grandest pink-sandstone palace in Alsace rises straight from the heart of Saverne, its 130-metre neoclassical façade reflected in the Zorn canal. Built for the powerful Rohan prince-bishops in the 18th century, it is the kind of landmark that stops you mid-stride.
A Palace Built for Power
Cardinal Louis de Rohan commissioned the current building in 1779, replacing an earlier Renaissance residence. The result is a confident neoclassical statement — pilasters, pediments and a roofline balustrade that stretches almost the length of a city block.
The interior houses three separate museums: the Musée Archéologique (one of the richest in Alsace), the Musée d'Art Régional with its painted furniture and faïence, and a small Egyptian collection that feels wonderfully incongruous in this corner of France.
Making the Most of Your Visit
Allow two hours minimum if you plan to walk all three collections. The Egyptian room alone — featuring mummies and canopic jars brought back by 19th-century collectors — rewards curiosity well beyond its modest size.
The formal French garden behind the palace is free to enter and perfectly framed for photographs, especially in late spring when the rose beds are in full bloom. Grab a bench by the canal and watch the barges drift past on the Marne-Rhine waterway.
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