Maison Kammerzell (Kammerzell House), Strasbourg

Kammerzell House’s origins date back to 1427, when the earliest stone foundations were laid, and over the centuries the building expanded and evolved through successive additions and renovations. The ground floor that survives today was rebuilt in 1467, and the richly decorated half-timbered upper floors were added in 1589.

The house is celebrated as one of the finest examples of Alsatian Renaissance timber-framed architecture, distinguished by its elaborate carvings and abundant sculptural detail. The façades are adorned with secular and sacred imagery, ranging from biblical scenes to classical motifs. Leaded glass windows and intricately worked beams further enhance the building’s visual richness. Since 1879, the Kammerzell House has been owned by the Foundation of the Works of Notre-Dame.

Today, the historic building houses a restaurant on the first three floors and a hotel consisting of nine guest rooms on the upper floors. As you step inside, you are met at the reception, where a member of the restaurant staff may personally confirm your reservation. To the right of the reception is a hall that leads to an original wooden spiral staircase. The walls of the staircase are adorned with photographs of celebrities who have dined here, including Madonna, Vladimir Putin, and Nelson Mandela. After climbing the staircase, you might begin to wonder who has not dined at the Kammerzell House.

Inside, you encounter a long history of artistic layering, most notably the frescoes by Alsatian painter Léo Schnug, commissioned in the early 20th century when the building became a restaurant. These murals combine pastoral scenes with characters from German mythology, all shaped by Schnug’s distinctive and imaginative style.

One particularly curious detail is a fresco in the first-floor restaurant alcove that depicts a cat. According to tradition, Schnug was obsessed by hallucinations of this animal, an experience often linked to his troubled later years. His struggles with alcoholism are well documented, and he was eventually admitted to a psychiatric institution toward the end of his life.

Kammerzell House offers traditional Alsatian cuisine in interiors that feel steeped in history. Dining areas range from intimate dining rooms to larger, salon-like settings. Enjoying a meal here—from classic dishes such as sauerkraut to regional specialties—is as much a part of the visit as admiring the exterior façades and interior carvings.