Strasbourg, France: what to see and do
Strasbourg's historic centre is the Grande-Île, linked to the surrounding city by 21 bridges and footbridges. UNESCO added the Grande-Île to its World Heritage list in 1988, followed by the Neustadt district in 2017.
Things to do in Strasbourg
In central Strasbourg, Place Kléber contains a statue of General Kléber, whose remains lie in a vault beneath it. Petite France developed beside four parallel branches of the Ill, with medieval canals attracting craftspeople and small industries, among them three grain mills. The Ponts couverts still bear their name despite the loss of their wooden coverings in the 18th century. Johannes Gutenberg spent the years 1434 to 1444 in Strasbourg, living at St. Arbogast by the city gates.
The self-guided Strasbourg walking tour and scavenger hunt lasts 2 hours. It includes a smartphone scavenger hunt with access to riddles, clues and puzzles, available in English, French, Italian and German.
The self-guided audio walking tour of Strasbourg city highlights lasts 2 hours and 40 minutes. It includes 32 audio commentaries through a mobile app, an interactive 3D map with live geolocation, offline use after downloading, unlimited access and sharing across devices. The audio is available in French, English and Spanish.
Strasbourg Cathedral
The present cathedral, dedicated to the Virgin Mary, dates mainly from the 13th to the 15th century; its spire was completed in 1439. The design called for a pair of towers on the western front, although the northern tower alone was completed. Reaching the platform on the cathedral tower involves a climb of 332 steps.
Jean-Baptiste Schwilgué altered the cathedral's astronomical clock during work spanning 1838 to 1843, delivering it in the latter year.
European institutions
Strasbourg houses the headquarters of the Council of Europe, an organisation of 46 member states created through the Treaty of London on 5 May 1949. The European Court of Human Rights is also based here; its first judges were elected on 21 January 1959. The European Parliament's 720 members hold plenary sittings in both Strasbourg and Brussels. Its Strasbourg hemicycle has 751 seats.
Neustadt and the Orangerie Park
Between 1870 and 1918, Neustadt served as Strasbourg's German quarter. The Orangerie Park was laid out in 1692 in classical French style. Architect Valentin Boudhors oversaw construction of its Pavillon Joséphine from 1804 to 1807. The park doubled its surface area when the Exhibition of Industry and the Crafts was held there in 1895.
The Christmas market
An earlier Saint Nicholas market, held around 6 December, was prohibited following the Reformation. From 1570, the market continued as the Christkindelsmärik. Place Broglie became its home in 1871. From 1991, it developed into the event known as Strasbourg Christmas Capital.
Alsatian food and wine
Choucroute is a characteristic Alsatian dish combining sauerkraut (fermented cabbage) and potatoes with assorted sausages and smoked bacon. The Alsace Wine Route runs for about 170 km from Marlenheim to Thann.
Cycle paths
Strasbourg has 600 km of cycle routes, including the 85 km cross-border Piste des Forts, which links 19 forts on both banks of the Rhine.
Which Strasbourg districts have UNESCO World Heritage status?
The Grande-Île was listed in 1988, and Neustadt followed in 2017.
How many towers were planned for Strasbourg Cathedral?
Two towers were planned for the western front, but only the northern one was completed.
What does the self-guided audio walking tour include?
It includes 32 audio commentaries, an interactive 3D map with live geolocation, offline use after downloading, unlimited access and sharing across devices.
When did the Christmas market move to Place Broglie?
The market moved there in 1871.
What goes into choucroute?
Choucroute combines sauerkraut (fermented cabbage) and potatoes with assorted sausages and smoked bacon.
Frequently asked questions
