Art enthusiasts in the Alsace region will soon have access to prestigious art history education without traveling to Paris. The École du Louvre will begin offering training cycles in Strasbourg starting in 2026, with courses held at the auditorium of the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art. The Strasbourg municipal council approved this partnership agreement on November 3rd.
This development brings significant convenience to local art lovers who previously had to travel to the French capital to attend the renowned École du Louvre's art history programs. The partnership between Strasbourg and the prestigious Parisian institution has been established for a three-year duration, featuring multiple training cycles throughout each academic year.
The courses will be conducted in person at the auditorium located within the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in Strasbourg. Classes will be taught by leading specialists, curators, and researchers in the fields of archaeology and art history. Some courses will focus on specific themes, allowing students to explore particular historical periods, artistic movements, or individual painters in greater depth.
Two thematic cycles have already been scheduled for Strasbourg beginning in early 2026. The first cycle, running from January through February, will focus on Florentine art of the 15th and 16th centuries. Matteo Gianeselli, a curator at the Renaissance Museum - Château d'Ecouen, will serve as the instructor. This program will consist of five sessions, each held on Tuesdays from 2:30 PM to 4:00 PM, running from January 13th through February 10th.
Starting in March, participants will have the opportunity to explore fairground arts through a second cycle. Among the instructors will be a chief heritage curator from the Palace of Versailles. This program will also feature five sessions, each lasting 90 minutes, scheduled for Tuesdays from March 3rd through March 31st.
These non-degree programs are open to the general public, though they are not free of charge. Full-price registration costs 75 euros for a complete five-session cycle. Reduced pricing of 45 euros is available for individuals under 26 years old, unemployed persons, people with disabilities, and beneficiaries of social assistance programs.
Strasbourg joins a growing network of cities outside Paris that benefit from École du Louvre's regional education initiatives. The institution first began establishing courses in regional locations in 1978, and today more than twenty cities including Lille, Quimper, Limoges, Caen, and Montpellier already participate in similar partnerships.
Enrollment for the Strasbourg courses is limited to 134 participants, which represents the current capacity of the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art's auditorium. Interested individuals can register for the École du Louvre courses through the institution's official channels, marking a significant cultural education opportunity for the Grand Est region.
