Strasbourg – detailed information about the city with photos. Main attractions of Strasbourg with descriptions, guides, and maps.
Strasbourg (French: Strasbourg) is a city in eastern France, the capital of Alsace and prefecture of the Lower Rhine department. It serves as an ideal stop between France and Germany, wonderfully combining its medieval past with modern present. Strasbourg features an incredible Gothic cathedral, narrow streets and half-timbered houses of Grand-Île, canals, and amazing cuisine. Additionally, the city is the parliamentary capital of Europe (hosting the European Parliament) and one of the largest university centers in France.
Strasbourg is one of the most beautiful cities in eastern France, looking as if it stepped out of the pages of fairy tales or fantasy stories. Its true pearl is the old town – Grand-Île. Interestingly, Strasbourg’s historic center was one of the first (among all other European cities) to be included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Strasbourg is located in eastern France on the banks of the Ill River (western bank of the Rhine) near the German border, between the Vosges and Black Forest. The city lies on the plains of Alsace and occupies a favorable central position in Western Europe. Historically and geographically, Strasbourg is closer to Germany, which leaves some German influence on it.
The climate is moderate continental with warm summers and fairly cool winters. Although the average winter temperature is generally positive, frost and snow are common. Thanks to its location between two mountain ranges, Strasbourg is rarely subject to strong winds.
Each season in Strasbourg has its advantages:
The name “Strasbourg” can be translated as “fortress (castle) by the road.” As early as the 3rd century BC, there was a Celtic settlement here. During the Roman Empire, it was one of its border cities – Argentoratum.
After the fall of the Roman Empire, the city was occupied by the German Alemanni tribe, who were in turn absorbed by the Franks. The name Strasbourg emerged in the early Middle Ages. After the dissolution of the Frankish kingdom, Alsace became part of the Holy Roman Empire. Strasbourg remained part of Germany until the 17th century, even after receiving free imperial city status in the 13th century.
In 1349, Strasbourg witnessed one of the bloodiest events of the Middle Ages when more than a thousand Jews were publicly burned in its squares. Persecution of the Jewish population continued here until the 18th century. Strasbourg was one of the first Protestant cities in Germany to adopt the Lutheran faith in the early 16th century. This made it one of Europe’s centers for humanitarian learning and book printing. The first newspaper in Europe was printed in Strasbourg.
In 1681, Louis XIV took advantage of the chaos of the Thirty Years’ War and annexed the capital of Alsace to France. Strasbourg’s status as a free city ended after the French Revolution. After the Franco-Prussian War of 1870, the Germans annexed the city again and implemented a policy of Germanization, leading to the exile of those who preferred to remain French. After Germany’s defeat in World War I, the city returned to France. Then it was the French’s turn to try to eradicate traces of Germanization. During World War II, the Nazis considered Alsatians as compatriots. Therefore, many were forced to fight in the German army.
Today, Strasbourg is among the ten largest cities in France, one of the centers of French education and European politics.
Strasbourg offers a wide range of accommodations for any budget. The best areas to stay:
Grand-Île – the historic city center, where the most popular premium hotels are concentrated. The location is ideal for sightseeing, but prices are the highest. Recommended hotels:
Petite France – picturesque district with traditional architecture, slightly cheaper than the center:
Station Area – convenient for train travelers, good transport connections:
Strasbourg has its own international airport. However, there’s one nuance – the number of destinations is quite limited and they’re all quite expensive. A better choice would be Basel Airport. From Basel Airport, you can take a bus to Saint-Louis railway station, then a train to Strasbourg. Some budget low-cost carriers fly to Karlsruhe Airport. The best way to get from there to Strasbourg is to take bus 285 to Baden-Baden railway station (3.40 euros, travel time about 25 minutes), then take a train.
Strasbourg has access to motorways connecting it with the West (A4), South (A35), and East (A5). Keep in mind that in France, most motorways are toll roads. By motorway, you can easily and quickly reach Strasbourg from: Paris, Lyon, Basel, Frankfurt, Brussels, Stuttgart.
Strasbourg has high-speed rail connections with Paris and several other cities: Lyon, Dijon, Metz, Marseille, Bordeaux, Lille, Frankfurt, etc. The railway station is located in the western part of the city.
On Wednesdays and Saturdays, there’s a flea market on rue de Vieil-Hôpital. North of the city center is Place Des Halles – a shopping center with more than 100 stores. In 2008, a new shopping center was opened in Strasbourg – Rivetoile, located between the Etoile Polygone and Etoile Bourse tram stops. Designer clothing can be purchased at Galeries Lafayettes, Rue Hellebardes, and Place Gutenberg.
Alsace is one of the most famous gastronomic regions of France. There are many exquisite high-quality products here. Foie gras and sauerkraut are two centers of Alsatian cuisine. Popular dishes include baeckeoffe (stewed pork or beef), tarte flambée (similar to pizza), and spaetzle (various pasta), which is a side dish for fish and poultry. For dessert in Alsace, they serve various pies and the famous kougelhopf. Local wines are very popular and well-known.
Grand-Île – the heart of Strasbourg, is a large island formed by the Ill River. This is the perfect place to get acquainted with the city and its historical atmosphere. Grand-Île is essentially the historic center of Strasbourg. Here you’ll find its main attractions: Strasbourg Cathedral (Notre-Dame de Strasbourg), other medieval churches, and historic buildings.
Strasbourg Cathedral (Notre-Dame de Strasbourg) – one of Europe’s most grandiose Gothic churches and a beautiful monument of medieval architecture. The great Victor Hugo spoke of it – “A gigantic and delicate monster.” The cathedral was built between 1176 and 1439 and has a 142-meter tower (completed in 1439), the tallest in France. To climb to the observation deck, you need to climb 322 steps. The cathedral features a 300-year-old Astronomical Clock. Entrance to Strasbourg Cathedral is free.
Every day at 12:30, the astronomical clock performs a small show from the life of Christ and a parade of apostles. From the outside, the facade presents a giant picture of the Middle Ages: hundreds of sculptures stand out from the walls and emphasize the play of light and shadow. And the pink sandstone from which Notre-Dame is made changes color depending on the time of day.
Church of St. Thomas – a Protestant Church, a masterpiece of Gothic art in Alsace. It is one of the few Protestant churches preserved from the Reformation period. Inside is the mausoleum of Marshal de Saxe – a baroque masterpiece.
Church of St. Paul – a beautiful neo-Gothic building from the late 19th century. This Protestant church is located on the edge of the Île Sainte-Hélène.
Saint-Pierre-le-Jeune – a Protestant church built in Gothic style on the site of an ancient 11th-century chapel from the Merovingian period. This former monastery church has preserved some Romanesque elements and 14th-century frescoes.
Place Gutenberg – a square a few steps from Notre-Dame de Strasbourg. Named after the inventor of printing, Johannes Gutenberg. A monument to him stands in the square. This place was one of Strasbourg’s centers from the Middle Ages until the 18th century.
Place Kleber – Strasbourg’s main public square. It’s a venue for various events and fairs, and the city’s main Christmas tree is installed here.
Rohan Palace – a historical monument in Grand-Moulin, which now houses 3 museums: archaeological, fine arts, and decorative arts. It was built between 1731 and 1742. The Rohan Palace is considered a masterpiece of French baroque.
Kammerzell House – one of Strasbourg’s most beautiful houses. This typical Alsatian half-timbered house with a beautiful carved facade was built in the 15th century and is located in the historic city center.
“Little France” – one of the most beautiful places in Strasbourg, a historic district (island) with beautiful half-timbered houses by the water. In the Middle Ages, craftsmen, fishermen, and millers lived here. It is now a pedestrian zone.
Near “Little France” are the Covered Bridges (Les Ponts Couverts), which retained their name despite no longer having roofs. The bridges were built to serve as ramparts for fortifications on waterways. They were used to connect three medieval towers, remains of ancient fortified walls, and covered wooden galleries that have now disappeared.
Vauban Dam – a barrage designed by the famous French marshal and military engineer Vauban. The dam was built to protect Strasbourg when walls were no longer reliable protection after the evolution of artillery and warfare techniques. The dam allowed for quickly raising the level of the Ill River by closing its arches. By climbing to the roof, you can admire the labyrinth of Strasbourg’s canals and “Little France”.
Place Broglie resembles a long alley more than a square. Several magnificent 18th-century mansions are located here, as well as the city hall, prefecture, and opera house.
Strasbourg is a unique city where French elegance and German thoroughness harmoniously intertwine. Its rich history, architectural heritage, and cultural diversity make it one of Europe’s most attractive tourist destinations.
The city is particularly interesting for:
Convenient transport connections, developed tourist infrastructure, and the opportunity to combine visits to France and Germany make Strasbourg an ideal destination for trips of any duration – from a weekend to an extended vacation.
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