The Franz Marc Museum in Kochel

Franz Marc is one of Germany's best-known Expressionist painters. With Wassily Kandinsky, Marc founded the Blauer Reiter ("Blue Rider") group, one of the most important pioneering movements in the history of 20th century art. In Kochel, an entire museum is dedicated to Franz Marc, his life and work for a simple reason – he created the majority of his works in the area.

The museum was built in 1986, and even its architecture reveals how it is an integral part of its setting: large windows provide views of its surroundings, and its open layout is a reference to Marc's art, which was inspired by the local landscape. In addition to many of Marc's own paintings, it collection also features woodcuts and documents, giving visitors an overview of the full range of the artist's output. Every year, the permanent collection is joined by temporary displays of works by his peers and other artists he was close with, such as Paul Klee and Wassily Kandinsky. These exhibitions reveal the connections between Marc's work and the larger artistic context of the 20th century. The museum also offers tours on a regular basis, in addition to workshops and courses in an atelier that is open to everyone.

News, prices and opening hours are all available here.

We recommend seeing out the day in the Kochler Stuben restaurant. Located not far from the lake and just under 15 minutes' walk from both the museum and the town's station, the restaurant serves a mix of Bavarian and French cuisine in a stylish interior. During the summer, you can sit on the terrace and enjoy the view of the nearby mountains.

Getting here:

The museum is located 23 minutes' walk from Kochel am See station. When you leave the station building, turn left. Cross Bahnhofstrasse to reach Von-Aufsess-Weg and walk along this street for about 300 m. Then go right onto Kalmbachstrasse and stay on it until you reach Mittenwalder Strasse. Turn left. On the left, you will see Herzogsstandweg after 60 m. Stay on this street until you reach Franz-Marc-Park on your left after 800 m. It brings you to the museum, 100 m away.

The restaurant Kochler Stuben is 15 minutes' walk from the museum. Walk along Franz-Marc-Park until you reach Herzogstandweg. Go right and stay on Herzogstandweg until you come to Jochbergstrasse on the left. Walk along Jochbergstrasse until you reach Mittenwalder Strasse after almost 180 m. Cross Mittenwalder Strasse to Badstrasse. The restaurant is located set back on the left after 50 m.