The Spindler marquetry is a world-famous art marquetry located in the former abbey of Saint-Leonard in Boersch, near
Obernai
in Alsace. It is a very old company, since it was founded in 1897 by Charles Spindler and has been passed on from father to son ever since. The company is now headed by Jean-Charles Spindler, grandson of the creator. It has been awarded the “Entreprise du Patrimoine Vivant” label, a mark of recognition for the excellent craft and industrial know-how of French companies. His creations are present in prestigious places all over the world.
Marquetry is an art technique that consists of making decorations with veneers of different types of wood that are cut according to a drawing and glued on a support (furniture or paintings). As I was told during my visit, “marquetry is working with different types of wood like a color palette.” The Spindler marquetry no longer produces furniture but only paintings. The motifs of their art marquetry panels are varied: we know well in Alsace their traditional paintings, representing for example Alsatian villages, but the Spindler marquetry also realizes very contemporary paintings. An impressive work and a superb result!
Unfortunately, the workshop cannot be visited, but the Spindler Art Marquetry has a gallery which can be visited freely. This gallery is already a small museum in itself. Works are exposed and you can easily ask some explanations to the people present. Personally, I really enjoyed it! Be sure to ask to watch the short explanatory film, really interesting. For groups, it is also possible to book the guided tour of the small marquetry museum (I did not visit it).
I liked
- Admire the works of marquetry art exhibited in the gallery
- Friendly welcome and interesting explanations
- The Spindler marquetry building, a marvel of its own
I liked less
- The fact that the museum is not accessible to individuals (only the gallery is)
- It’s a shame not to see the workshop, but it would be too difficult for them.
Photos of the Spindler Art Marquetry
Practical information
Rates
Admission to the gallery is free. Guided tours (for groups) cost 6€ per person.
Schedules
Here you can find the opening hours of the Spindler Art Marquetry Gallery.
Guided tours
Guided tours are available for groups, upon reservation. Here you will find information on how to make a reservation.
Access
By car
The address is: 3 cour du Chapitre, Saint-Léonard, 67530 Boersch. Boersch is located near Obernai, in:
- 35 km from Strasbourg (about 35 minutes)
- 54 km from Colmar (about 50 minutes
- 95 km from Mulhouse (about 1h10)
By public transport
It’s not easy but you can look on Vialsace.
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