Strasbourg City Guide
Strasbourg is one of France's most beautiful cities, with a mixture of German Gothic architecture, and French café society. Watch the world go by from of the square's pavement cafés or excellent restaurants, explore the city on one of the efficient futuristic trams, or wander along the canals in the Petite France area.
What to do and see in and around Strasbourg
Cathedral
Strasbourg Cathedral dominates the medieval city centre, and was built between the 12th and 15th centuries. Visitors can climb to the top of the spire for views over Strasbourg and the Black Forest. The Viewing Platform links the two towering Gothic spires. At 12:30 every day watch the Astronomical Clock Automata - the apostles process before Christ, and the ages of man pass before Death.
Petite France Area
The Petite France district is close to the Damn, and is where the medieval tanning, dying and fishermen lived. Visitors can admire the charming 16th and 17th timber framed houses, with steep roofs concealing vast lofts where the hides were dried. "Covered Bridges" cross the picturesque canals in the area, although the roofs of the bridges were destroyed in the 18th century, there are four 14th century towers which were once the city walls.
Palais Rohan
Palais Rohan was built in the 18th century, and contains 3 of Strasbourg's museums. The Archaeological Museum in the basement contains remains from Roman and early medieval Alsace. The Museum of Decorative Arts contains a collection of Paul Hannong's ceramics, and gold and silverware. Also on the ground floor are the Cardinal's Apartments. On the first floor is the Museum of Fine Arts, which houses a collection of Western Europe from the 14th to the 19th century. The Museum includes works by Giotto, Rubens, Botticelli and Goya.
Orangerie Park
The Orangerie Park is the oldest park in Strasbourg, and includes a pavilion built in 1804 for Empress Josephine. The park includes a waterfall, and a rowing lake, a small zoo, and a stork farm. There is also a petting farm in the park, and a gastro restaurant in the timbered Buerehiesel building. The European Parliament looks out over the Orangerie Park.
Vauban Dam
The Vauban Dam is close to the "covered bridges" and old city walls of the Petite France area. The Dam was built in 1690, and designed by a military engineer - Vauban. It was designed to protect Strasbourg from an attack from the river. From the top of the Dam are excellent panoramic views of Strasbourg and the canal network in the city.
European Strasbourg
Strasbourg is home to the Council of Europe, the European Court of Human Rights and the European Parliament. The Council of Europe was created in 1949, and is housed in the Palais de l'Europe overlooking the Orangerie. The European Court of Human Rights is based in a building designed by Richard Rogers, and opened in 1995 close to the Stade d'Ill. The European Parliament building was opened in 1999 and is gleaming hemisphere set on the Ill.
Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art
The Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art was opened in 1998 and contains a collection of modern art, paintings and sculptures from 1860 until the present day. The collection includes works by Monet, Picasso, and Strasbourg artists Doré and Hans Arp.
Musée Alsacien
The Musée Alsacien was established in 1902 to protect the social history of the Alsace region. The Museum is housed in three 17th and 18th century houses and includes traditional furniture, toys, and costumes. Some of the rooms in the museum are themed to depict different regions of Alsace or tradesmen's workshops.
Musée de l'Oeuvre Notre-Dame
Close to the Cathedral is the Musée de l'Oeuvre Notre-Dame, housed in 14th-16th century mansions where the Cathedral architects lived. The Museum contains works from Strasbourg and the surrounding areas from the 11th-17th century. Many of the original sculptures from the Cathedral are in the museum, alongside a collection of stained glass, tapestries, paintings and furniture.
German Quarter
In 1870 the Prussian Army attacked and occupied Strasbourg, and the Germans rebuilt the area around the Orangerie Park and the University. Place de la République is lined with German neo-gothic architecture, and at the centre is the war memorial showing a mother with 2 dead children - one French and one German.
Send to a Friend
Email Newsletter
Subscribe to the Railbookers newsletter for all our latest special offers and news.
