4711 Haus

The 4711 Haus stands at Glockengasse 4711 in the Altstadt-Nord district of Cologne, in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, and is the home of the famous 4711 Eau de Cologne. The fragrance dates to 1792, when the Mülhens family began producing it, and the house number 4711 came from the numbering system introduced during the French occupation of Cologne. The address became the brand's name. The building was rebuilt after Second World War damage and today combines a shop with a fountain courtyard. The facade carries a carillon with figures that chime and move at set times, and in the courtyard visitors can sample the classic Kölnisch Wasser from a fountain. Inside, the shop sells the fragrance range, gifts and souvenirs, and the house also offers paid tours and workshops, with details and prices posted at 4711.com. Entering the building and the courtyard is free. A visit takes about 20-40 minutes if only the shop and courtyard are seen, longer with a tour. The house is a five-to-eight-minute walk from the Neumarkt and Appellhofplatz stops and lies close to the Dom, so it fits easily into an Altstadt walking route. Photo opportunities include the carillon on the facade and the ornamental fountain. The shop hours follow normal retail times, generally Monday to Saturday, and are closed on Sundays. Crowds peak at midday when tour groups arrive, and weekday afternoons are calmer. Visitors interested in the deeper history of the product should also look at the Farina museum, which tells the story of the other famous eau de cologne house in the city.