Strasbourg is an amazing northeast French city that combines history, culture, and modern life. Because it is right next to Germany, Strasbourg has a different mix of French and German traits. People love Strasbourg for its beautiful buildings, cute areas, and lively arts and culture scene. This article will show you some of Strasbourg’s best places to visit, from famous sites to unknown gems.
The Cathedral of Notre Dame de Strasbourg in Strasbourg
The Strasbourg Cathedral is a must see when you visit Strasbourg. With a tower that is 142 meters (466 feet) tall, this Gothic masterpiece is one of the tallest medieval buildings in Europe. The church was built over several hundred years, and its famously complicated front comprises thousands of small sculptures.
The Astronomical Clock, which goes back to the 1600s and is a true engineering work, is inside. At 12:30 PM every day, the clock comes to life and shows a line of figures, such as the Apostles and a rooster that crows three times. As you go up the 332 steps to the viewing platform, you will be rewarded with stunning views of the city and the Rhine River.
The Little France
The most beautiful part of Strasbourg is La Petite, France. The ancient area on the Grande Île (Main Island) is known for its canals, half-timbered houses, and cobblestone streets. La Petite France has a charming, fairy tale like feel. It used to be home to tanners, millers, and fishers.
Take a walk along the canals, cross the many bridges, and enjoy the views of the well kept buildings. The Maison des Tanneurs was built in 1572 as a tannery and is now a restaurant serving traditional Alsatian food. Take advantage of the Covered Bridges (Ponts Couverts) and the Barrage Vauban, a beautiful dam from the 17th century that gives you a great view of the city.
The institutions of Europe
Many call Strasbourg the “Capital of Europe” because it is home to many important European institutions.You can take guided walks of the European Parliament’s modern and beautiful Louise Weiss building to learn about its work and the history of the European Union. The Palais de l’Europe is home to the Council of Europe, the continent’s main human rights group. You cannot enter the building but go to the nearby European Court of Human Rights, which has an interesting permanent human rights show.
The Palace of Rohan
The Palais Rohan is a beautiful example of a French building from the 18th century. This grand palace is close to the church and used to be home to the prince-bishops and cardinals of the House of Rohan. Today, the Musée des Beaux Arts, the Musée Archéologique, and the Musée des Arts Décoratifs are all housed there.
Many drawings from the Middle Ages to the 19th century in the Musée des Beaux Arts (Museum of Fine Arts) exist. The Musée Archéologique (Archaeological Museum) has items from ancient times to the time of the Merovingian kings. The Musée des Arts Décoratifs (Museum of Decorative Arts) has fine furniture, ceramics, and clocks from the 17th century to the 19th.
The Park of the Orangery
Take a break at Parc de l’Orangerie, Strasbourg’s oldest and biggest park. This lovely 26 hectare park is close to the European institutions and is a great place for a walk, a picnic, or a boat ride on the lake.
The park has a small zoo, a small farm, and a cute 19th-century building called the Pavillon Joséphine, after Napoleon’s first wife, Empress Joséphine. The parks and old car rides are great for kids. The park is quite beautiful in the spring when the flowers bloom, and the grass is green.
The Museum of Alsace
The Alsatian Museum is a great place to learn about Alsace’s ancient way of life. It comprises a group of interconnected medieval homes that display traditional clothes, furniture, toys, and household items. A kitchen, a bedroom, and a workshop are some of the rooms that have been rebuilt to show how people in Alsace lived from the 17th century to the 19th.
The museum exhibits folk art, such as pottery, textiles, and religious items, to showcase the area’s rich cultural history. The courtyard and winding stairs that join the floors make the museum even more charming.
The Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in Strasbourg
It is in a beautiful new building with a glass front facing the Ill River. Pieces from the collection of known artists like Gustave Doré, Max Ernst, and Jean Arp date from 1870 to the present day.
The museum’s large halls are used for temporary shows, usually including work by modern artists worldwide. It also has a library, a café, and a terrace with sculptures. The nearby Vauban Dam is a great place to admire the museum’s architecture and setting by the river.
The Kammerzell House
One of Strasbourg’s most well known and beautiful houses is the Kammerzell House. This lovely Renaissance house was built in the 1400s and is close to the church. Its front is very ornately designed with wood carvings and murals that show scenes from the Bible and mythology.
The Kammerzell House is now home to a famous diner that serves Alsatian food. When you eat here, you can enjoy your meal in rooms that have been beautifully designed while still keeping their historic charm. Specialties from the area should be tried, such as choucroute (sauerkraut with sausages and other foods) and tarte flambée (a thin, crispy pizza-like dish with cream, onions, and bacon).
The Vauban Dam and the Covered Bridges
The Covered Bridges (Ponts Couverts) consist of three bridges and four towers. They used to protect the city but are still an important part of Strasbourg’s scenery, even though they are not covered like they used to be. These buildings from the 1300s have beautiful views of the rivers and the old town.
The nearby Vauban Dam (Barrage Vauban) is another amazing piece of engineering. Built in the late 1700s, the dam was meant to flood the southern part of the city in case of an attack.
The area around Neustadt
The Neustadt district also called the “German Imperial District,” stands out as proof of Strasbourg’s unique past. Neustadt was built when Germany took over Alsace from 1871 to 1918. It has wide boulevards, big buildings, and a unique style of architecture different from the city center’s medieval charm.
Some of the best things about Neustadt are the grand square Place de la République and the impressive buildings that circle it, like the Palais du Rhin, the National and University Library, and the Théâtre National de Strasbourg. With its tree-lined streets and lovely parks like Parc du Contades, the district is a nice place to walk or ride a bike around.
A tour by boat on the Ill River
Paris is one of the best places to see from the water. A boat tour on the Ill River allows you to see the Strasbourg Cathedral, La Petite France, the European institutions, and the Neustadt area from a different angle. Several groups offer guided tours with audio in more than one language.
Most of these tours last about an hour and are a nice, easy way to learn about Strasbourg’s history and design. Some boats have covers and heaters, so they are great even when it is cold or wet outside.
The Christmas Markets in Strasbourg
When you go to Strasbourg in December, it will feel like magic. The Christmas markets in Strasbourg are some of the oldest and best-known in Europe. The main market, Christkindelsmärik, has been going on since 1570 and is in Place Broglie.
With its beautifully decorated stands selling crafts, gifts, and holiday treats, the city turns into a winter dream. Sip a hot mulled wine (vin chaud), eat traditional foods like bridle (Christmas cookies), and enjoy the holiday spirit. This city’s main square, Place Kléber, is home to the Great Christmas Tree, a tall fir tree decorated with lights and toys.
The Opera House in Straßburg
See a show at the Strasbourg Opera House (Opéra National du Rhin) to experience some culture. This beautiful building from the 1800s is home to many plays, ballets, and concerts throughout the year. People worldwide know that the opera house puts on great shows and is dedicated to performing both old and new works.
The building itself is interesting to see, even if you are not into opera. It is one of Strasbourg’s architectural treasures because of its neoclassical style, grand stairs, and ornate interior.
The Zoological Museum in Strasbourg
Children and animal lovers will both enjoy the Strasbourg Zoological Museum. This museum is close to the University of Strasbourg and has a large collection of animals, such as mammals, birds, snakes, and insects. The shows teach us about various animals worldwide and are also very interesting.
The museum is also interested in natural history and protecting endangered species. Thanks to the interactive displays and games for kids, visitors of all ages will find it interesting.
Conclusions
Every part of this city has a story to tell, from the stunning Strasbourg Church to the cute streets of La Grande, France. Some things to see and do in Strasbourg are listed below. At the Palais Rohan, you can learn about the past or take a leisurely walk in Parc de l’Orangerie. The European institutions are imposing.