Musée de l'Œuvre Notre-Dame

This cathedral museum houses seven centuries of original medieval art in a gorgeous 14th-century building complex right beside Notre-Dame. You'll see the actual stone statues that once decorated the cathedral facade (now replaced by copies), plus extraordinary medieval stained glass windows and the famous Wissembourg Christ head from 1060. The Gothic courtyard garden recreates authentic medieval plantings, complete with medicinal herbs and period vegetables.

The visit flows chronologically through interconnected historic rooms, each showcasing different periods of Strasbourg's artistic heritage. Room 15 steals the show with the original 13th-century Synagogue and Church statues from the cathedral's south portal, their medieval paint and facial expressions incredibly preserved. The atmosphere feels intimate and scholarly, like exploring a private collector's treasure trove rather than a formal museum.

At EUR 6.50, it's excellent value but skip the audio guide (EUR 3 extra) which adds unnecessary fluff. Most visitors rush through to tick boxes, but spend at least 90 minutes to appreciate the craftsmanship details. The upstairs rooms get overlooked but contain some of the finest pieces. Don't bother with the temporary exhibition space unless medieval art is your passion, focus your time on the permanent collection's masterpieces.