Strasbourg travel guide

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Strasbourg is the capital of the Alsace region of France and is most widely known for hosting a number of important European institutions. It is also famous for its beautiful historical centre - the Grande Ile, which was the first city centre to be classified entirely as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Strasbourg is one of the nine largest cities in France with nearly half a million inhabitants in a metropolitan area spanning across the river into the German city of Kehl, on the eastern bank of the Rhine. The city itself is the seat of the Council of Europe, the European Court of Human Rights, the European Ombudsman, the Eurocorps, the European Audiovisual Observatory and, most famously, the European Parliament, which also holds sessions in Brussels.

Fast Facts

♥ Cathedral of Notre-Dame
The Cathedral of Notre-Dame was built on the foundations of an Early Romanesque church which begun in 1015. It has been declared as one of the dignified achievements of Western Architecture, reflecting a whole range of Romanesque to Late Gothic styles.

♥ Tanner's Quarter
North-west of St-Thomas is the old Quartier des Tanneurs (Tanners' Quarter), with picturesque half- timbered buildings lining its narrow streets, an area known as "Little France" (Petite France).

♥ Chateau des Rohan
In Strasbourg, on the cathedral’s south side is the Place du Château, with the Château des Rohan (1728- 1742), which until the French Revolution was the residence of the Cardinal Bishops of the great Rohan family. On the first two floors are the bishop's apartments, with a library, a print room and a chapel. The château also houses the Archeological Museum and the Municipal Art Gallery, with pictures by Italian, Spanish, Flemish, Dutch and French masters from the Middle Ages to modern times. In the right-hand wing is the Musée des Arts Décoratifs (ceramics, porcelain).

♥ Citadel
East of the University in Strasbourg is the old Citadel, built in 1682-1684 as the central element in Vauban's system of fortifications. It is now an attractive park, laid out in 1967.

♥ Musee Alsacien
In Strasbourg, in a patrician house of 1620, is the Musée Alsacien (folk art, furniture, costumes, domestic equipment, etc.).

Not just these, there are several other attractions which you would like to visit on your trip to Strasbourg. These are Hôpital Civil, Maison Kammerzell, Maison de l'Oeuvre Notre-Dame, Palais de l'Europe, Palais de la Musique et des Congrès, Place Broglie, Place Kléber, Place du Corbeau, Rue des Grandes-Arcades, and many more.



Things to do

→ Ill River
One of the most romantic ways to explore Strasbourg is by taking a boat along this river from the Rohan Palace. The views from the river are wonderful and the 75-minute ride is very reasonably priced. Commentary is given in six languages about the sites along the way.

→ Museum of Modern Art
Located in the heart of La Petite France, this is the city’s showcase of modern European art. The museum’s collection dates from 1870 to the present and includes many famous artists from around Europe. There is also an art library, graphic art and photography room, museum shop and a restaurant on the terrace.

→ Alsatian Museum
This museum is housed in three mansions dating from the 16th and 17th centuries. It is a living exhibition of the customs and folklore of the Alsatian region, with arts, crafts and tools from the old province.

→ European Parliament
These three conjoined buildings are home to the Hemicycle, where parliamentary sessions take place. Tours are available, which give an introduction to the history and role of this institution. Live debates may be viewed from the visitors’ gallery at certain times.

→ Europa Park
This is an amusement park located just outside town. With over 100 rides, shows and attractions, the park has been providing a family European experience for more than 25 years.



Entertainment

♠ Nightlife
Bars in Strasbourg stay open until at least 23:30 and often until 04:00. There are lots of choices if you want to head out for a night of partying, from the calm to the loud. Most of the nightclubs are situated around the cathedral, along the streets of rue des Frères, rue des Soeurs and rue de la Croix. Le Seven is a popular spot among the stylish late 20s crowd and features all kinds of music at its underground dance floor. The biggest and most visible nightclub is Le Chalet. Located eight kilometers north of the city, it has two large distinct dancing areas, one for techno fans and the other for everyone else.

Strasbourg has some great bars with good atmospheres, drinks and friendly people. Some of the favorites include Les Frères Berthom, Le Zurich, Le Schluch and the relaxing Academie de la Bière, which serves over 70 different kinds of beer. If you’re looking for a traditional pub, there is Murphy’s House, Irish Times and Pub Nelson, which all have that certain British pub atmosphere.

♠ Theatre and music
There is an excellent selection of sophisticated culture on-hand in Strasbourg. During the summer, the centre of outdoor entertainment is at the Notre-Dame Cathedral, where an assortment of performers and dancers put on shows against the backdrop of the church. Opera and ballet fans can go to the Opera du Rhin, while classical music lovers can visit the Palais de la Musique et des Congres, where the Strasbourg Philharmonic Orchestra performs. Le Mallion and Le Taps offer a variety of shows, from dance to comedy. La Choucrouterie is the place for French cabaret. Le Kafteur and Au Camionneur offer the interesting art of coffee-theatre.

Live music also has a good following in the city. La Salamandre is a large venue that hosts around 40 concerts a year by renowned global musicians.

♠ Festivals

• Strasbourg Jazz is one of the first music festivals of the year, featuring a number of world-famous jazz and blues musicians. This four-day event happens in early July at the Palais des Congres.
• The International Festival of Music is the most famous event in the city’s musical calendar. This three-week long party in June features world music from many countries.
• Strasbourg International Film Festival features the film debuts of many independent artists from around the world (March).
• Not just these, there are many other festivals in Strasbourg which are filled with fun and entertainment.

Feast on crispy Flammekueche with citrusy Rieslings, sniff out Strasbourg’s southern spice and reach for the Michelin stars. To the south lies the funky student district of Krutenau, where there’s an assorted mix of hole-in-the-wall restaurants serving everything from spicy Lebanese kebabs to freshly baked pizza and rich Thai curries. Most are on Rue de la Krutenau, Rue Saint-Louis and Rue de Zurich.

Strasbourg overflows with antiques shops, artisans, craftspeople, and beer makers. So, people interested to shop in the following areas, have a lot in store for them in Strasbourg.

◊ Christmas markets can be found in many places, but the most important and beautiful are Place Broglie and place de la Cathédrale, although they are crowded. They are the best places to drink hot wine (vin chaud) and to eat Christmas cookies (Brédalas).

◊ Even when there are no special events on in Strasbourg, walking around the old town is a very nice way to pass a day. And there are lots of good cafes to stop and rest in as you make your tour.

√ Trams : - Almost 200,000 trips are made every day by tram throughout Strasbourg and vicinity.

√ Cycling : - Strasbourg has a fine cycling infrastructure, and the city even maintains a non-profit organization to rent bicycles.

√ TGV trains : - Regularly scheduled TGV service began in June 10, 2007, on the new high-speed railway line from Paris to Strasbourg. The new trains go 320 kilometers per hour on the newly-built section of tracks. So now it only takes 2 hours and 20 minutes to get from Paris to Strasbourg.

− Air : - Strasbourg's airport, Strasbourg-Entzheim, is 12km (7.5mi) southwest of the city centre. The Navette Aéroport, run by CTS, links the Baggersee tram stop southwest of the city with the airport.

− Bus : - City bus 21 links place Gutenburg with the Stadhalle in Kehl, just across the Rhine.

− Rail : - The train station is linked to Metz, Nancy and Paris' Gare de L'Est; and, internationally, to Basel and Frankfurt. Route du Vin destinations include Colmar, Dambach-la-Ville, Obernai and Sélestat.