Heading east! In the heart of Alsace, Strasbourg takes you on an architectural, gastronomic and historical escapade. The different facets of the city unfold as you pass through its different districts, from the cathedral, a veritable masterpiece of Gothic art, to the half-timbered houses of Petite France and the historic centre, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Let yourself be carried away by the warm atmosphere of a Winstub, the typical Alsatian bistro, with its emphasis on local specialities and wines. A city for lovers, Strasbourg has it all.
The must-sees during your stay in Strasbourg
When you think of Strasbourg, you might think of the pretty river running through the heart of the city and the charming half-timbered houses in the Petite France district, but there's much more to this typical Alsatian city than that. Follow the guide to discover its many facets.
Let the charm do the work: Strasbourg's districts to visit
The Grande Île
The historic centre of the city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Grande Île is home to picturesque alleyways with half-timbered buildings, characterful churches and numerous monuments testifying to its medieval past. You'll find the town's old covered bridges (which have unfortunately lost their roofs), Notre-Dame cathedral and a host of sites and monuments not to be missed. Some of the prettiest streets are Rue du Bain aux Plantes and Rue des Serruriers. And charming squares such as Place Kléber and Place Broglie (market square).
La Petite France
Located in the south-west of the Grande Île, this district, which is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, offers a most picturesque setting, with its many canals and locks. And everything about it, from its charming half-timbered houses and medieval alleyways to its beautiful flowerbeds, invites romantic conversation. It's the place to be!
The Neustadt: the German quarter from 1870 to 1918
Destroyed after the French defeat in 1870, the Neustadt was rebuilt under the German Empire to give the then German territory of Alsace-Lorraine a grandiose character. In terms of architecture, the city features a wide range of styles: Art Nouveau, Art Deco, neo-Gothic and Haussmann-style buildings, but always with vast tree-lined squares and avenues, and a taste for the monumental. Also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this district is well worth a visit. Here you will find the Place de la République, with its many administrative monuments, and the Avenue de la Liberté, which links the imposing University Palace to the municipal thermal baths and the University Botanical Gardens.
The European Quarter
One of the three European capitals, Strasbourg is home to the European Parliament. A building of modern architecture, its Tower of Babel-like circular shape symbolises the unity of European countries. The monument is illuminated at night, and during the day guided tours of its imposing 800-seat hemicycle are available. Nearby, linked by a footbridge spanning the River Ill, stands the proud Palais de l'Europe, home to the European Council. This monument, where councillors are dedicated to protecting the values of democracy, can be visited. Finally, not far away is the Palais des droits de l'Homme, with its highly contemporary architecture. Here too, visits are possible and highly instructive.
A rich history: our selection of monuments to explore
Strasbourg's Notre-Dame cathedral
The oldest Gothic cathedral in the world, this building is a symbol of the city. It is admired for the pink sandstone from which it is built, its spectacular height with a spire reaching 142 metres (making it the 2nd highest cathedral in France after Notre-Dame-de-Paris), its remarkable astronomical clock and its sublime stained glass windows. What's more, those brave enough to climb the 330 steps to reach the platform on the tower can enjoy an exceptional panoramic view of the whole city. Nearby, don't miss the Place Gutenberg, named in honour of the inventor of printing who lived in Strasbourg for 10 years. Here you can admire his statue and enjoy the square's pleasant terraces in fine weather.
The Kammerzell house
For many, this is the most beautiful house in Strasbourg. What makes it so remarkable is not only its typically Alsatian half-timbering, but also its numerous wooden sculptures depicting historical figures, medieval legends, the signs of the zodiac, and so on, as well as its double-glazed windows.
Good to know: this building houses a restaurant where you can sample some Alsatian specialities.
Saint-Paul church and Strasbourg's medieval churches
Many other religious buildings are well worth a visit, including :
- Strasbourg's Saint-Paul church, with its fine architecture featuring two slender spires (over 70 metres high), a magnificent rose window and original stained glass windows.
- The 4 medieval churches on Strasbourg's Grande Île: Saint-Pierre-le-Vieux for its venerable age, Saint-Thomas for its funerary monument in honour of the Maréchal de Saxe, Saint-Pierre-le-Jeune and Saint-Étienne.
The covered bridges and the Vauban dam
Originally used as river ramparts, these bridges linked three medieval towers and were covered with wooden galleries.
A few metres further up the Ill, you'll come across the Vauban dam, built to take over from the covered bridges in defending the town. It was cleverly designed to flood the surrounding area and prevent the enemy from advancing.
The dam can be crossed from the inside, but also offers a beautiful panoramic view of the surrounding canals from the terrace on its roof.
The Place Broglie
A long tree-lined avenue, this ‘square’ is lined with a number of 18th-century town houses and is home to the Town Hall, the Prefecture, the Strasbourg Opera House and the Banque de France. The site is also famous for being the focal point of the Alsatian capital's Christmas market.
Alsace's museums
If you want to discover the history of the city and region, and learn more about Alsatian culture, there are two museums to visit: the Musée historique de Strasbourg and the Musée Alsacien. The former traces the history of Strasbourg from the Middle Ages to the Revolution. The second is akin to the Museum of Popular Arts and Traditions, with its reconstructions of typical interiors and displays of traditional costumes.
Not-to-be-missed Strasbourg experiences
Looking for some memorable Strasbourg experiences? Discover three popular activities.
Sail up the Ill and visit Strasbourg by boat
This is one of the best ways to explore Strasbourg: board one of the boats (covered or uncovered) at the foot of the Palais de Rohan and take a trip along the canals. There is a choice of two routes of varying lengths, taking in either the city centre or various districts, including the European Quarter. Another option: a romantic meal cruise on the River Ill.
Cycling around Strasbourg
Strasbourg is a pedestrian-friendly city, with numerous pedestrian-only zones, but it's also bike-friendly, with numerous routes designed to take you around the city and its surroundings. There are 10 km of cycle paths within the city walls and 85 km of cycle paths along the Rhine. In all, 500 km of cycle paths are available.
Eat in an Alsatian Winstub
Finally, after the effort, the comfort. After all your peregrinations, head to the famous Alsatian Winstub (traditional Alsatian restaurants) to savour generous local cuisine. On the menu: regional specialities, cheeses and wines.
What about the Strasbourg area?
Have you got a bit of time on your hands and fancy extending your field of exploration? The area around Strasbourg is full of charm, with its bucolic vineyards and remarkable architectural heritage.
Discover the Alsace wine route
Whether you're a wine lover or simply enjoy the beautiful countryside, the Alsace wine route is sure to leave you wanting more. On this itinerary, you can discover almost 300 wineries spread around some of France's most beautiful villages.
Explore the vineyards, visit the cellars and enjoy tastings (in moderation).
Explore the villages and châteaux of Alsace
The Grand Est region is home to a rare number of picturesque villages with a rich heritage.
Here is just a small selection:
- Colmar : its charming old town and Little Venice
- Riquewihr and Obernai, both renowned for their wine cellars and typical buildings
- Eguishem : its ramparts, half-timbered houses and fountains.
But this region is also rich in châteaux. Not to be missed:
- Haut-Koenigsbourg, the most visited castle
- The Hohlandsbourg Castle, the Fleckenstein Castle and the Haut Barr Castle.
Strasbourg or the art of celebrating Christmas
As the festive season approaches, Strasbourg organises its famous Christmas market. It is held in various squares and thoroughfares in the city, including the Place Kléber, where the huge Christmas tree is set up and the facades of shops and homes are decked out in their finest decorations. Many chalets are set up here, as well as in many of the surrounding areas. You can buy mulled wine with spices and citrus fruits, as well as Christmas decorations. You can also enjoy the Christmas atmosphere in the Strasbourg area. Visit Colmar, Mulhouse, Hagueneau or Obernai (to name but a few towns and villages) to discover age-old customs and prestigious local know-how.
Strasbourg's culinary specialities
In this region of France, the culinary arts are not an empty word. In fact, Alsace is one of the regions offering a particularly wide range of gastronomic specialities. The most famous of these are a must-taste when you visit Strasbourg:
- Bretzel : recognisable by its inimitable bow shape, this brioche bread traditionally decorated with fleur de sel is sold all over the city. Popular as an aperitif or snack, it comes in many variations: pretzel with seeds, bacon, cheese, onions... or with sugar.
- Flammekueche : made from a thin pastry, it is generous and delicious with its filling of crème fraîche, onions and bacon.
- Choucroute : taking its name from an Alsatian word meaning ‘sour cabbage’, choucroute is the Strasbourg speciality par excellence. Copiously garnished, it includes cabbage and potatoes, as well as meat and charcuterie. All simmered in beer or white wine... from Alsace!
- Fleishkiechles : a type of dumpling or patty made from pork, beef and bacon, this speciality is seasoned with fresh parsley and nutmeg. Some variations include breadcrumbs soaked in milk.
As for sweet dishes, the king of Strasbourg is unconditionally the Kougelhopf. Recognisable by its very distinctive shape, this is a brioche shaped like a hollow bell on the inside, but fluted on the outside. Other ingredients that contribute to its success include a filling of raisins soaked in rum or cherry alcohol, and almonds. When it comes to drinks, you can choose from a wide range of Alsatian beers and white wines, or a sparkling wine such as Crémant d'Alsace.
