The picture shows a river landscape with three striking defence towers, two boats on the river, old bridges and historic buildings. In the background, a tall church tower stands next to many houses.
The picture shows a river landscape with three striking defence towers, two boats on the river, old bridges and historic buildings. In the background, a tall church tower stands next to many houses.

Strasbourg - The Heart of Alsace

Published: 17 October 2024, 09:30

Strasbourg is at the heart of Alsace, a region where the cuisine, language and culture are a blend of German and French influences. The idyllic city in the north-east of France is best known for its historic city centre with its well-preserved half-timbered houses, the imposing Strasbourg Cathedral and its pretty bridges. The picturesque old town island "Grande Île" is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Christmas spirit comes alive when France's oldest Christmas market opens its doors on 27 November. The old town centre is then festively decorated and glows with lights. Strasbourg is also an international city, home to EU institutions such as the Council of Europe and the European Court of Human Rights. Its central location makes Strasbourg the ideal starting point for day trips along the Alsace Wine Route or to the Vosges mountains.

Numbers, data, facts

  • Time difference: none
  • Population: 290,000
  • Official language: French
  • Currency: Euro (EUR)

City walk: half-timbered houses, cathedral and modern Europe

The picture shows traditional half-timbered houses along a quiet canal. The buildings are reflected in the clear water of the canal. Flower baskets adorn the bridge and the bank, while a large tree on the right-hand side of the canal enlivens the scene. The colours are vibrant, the sky is bright blue.
UNESCO World Heritage Site: La Petite France is known for its pretty half-timbered houses, narrow streets and picturesque canals. © SCStock/stock.adobe.com
Aerial view with an imposing, tall cathedral in the centre of the picture. Surrounded by the historic buildings of the old town and the branching canals, the city stretches as far as the green hills in the background.
Victor Hugo described it as a 'marvel of the gigantic and the subtle'. Strasbourg Cathedral is the symbol of Strasbourg and a masterpiece of Gothic architecture. © Leonid Andronov/stock.adobe.com
The picture shows a historic square with a large baroque building with ornate decorations, many windows and mansard roofs. The town stretches out in the background.
Splendid and opulent: the Palais Rohan is a magnificent baroque palace from the 18th century. It houses a total of three museums, including an art museum. © holger.l.berlin/stock.adobe.com
The picture shows a futuristic-looking building complex with round, silver-coloured houses made of glass and metal. In front of it, a tram runs along a wall over a canal. The sky is slightly cloudy.
Strasbourg symbolises European unity and diversity. The city is home to EU institutions such as the European Parliament and the European Court of Justice. © PANORAMO/stock.adobe.com
The picture shows a river landscape with a busy excursion boat travelling through calm waters. Behind the boat are two medieval watchtowers and a bridge with two arches crossing the river. In the background, an old town with traditional buildings and the striking Strasbourg Cathedral are visible. The sky is blue.
How about a boat trip on the River Ill? The best way to discover the Ponts Couverts - a complex of three bridges and four towers - is from the water. © Sita Ettmer/stock.adobe.com

Alsace: a paradise for gourmets and nature lovers

Bienvenue en Alsace! This small region in the north-east of France, bordering Germany and Switzerland, offers pleasure, culture and beautiful nature all in one. In Alsace, you can enjoy delicious, traditional cuisine on a culinary journey of discovery, ideally complemented by regional wines such as Gewürztraminer. Many wineries invite you to visit and taste their local grape varieties.

Nestled between the Vosges mountains in the west and the Rhine plain in the east, Alsace offers numerous opportunities for active holidaymakers and nature lovers: whether it's long hikes through dense forests, mountain bike tours through the mountains or a relaxing boat trip on the rivers - the choice is varied. However, the best thing to do is to let yourself drift and explore the romantic villages such as Kaysersberg, Riquewihr and Obernai along the Alsace Wine Route at your leisure.

Alsace: Between vineyards and the Vosges mountains

The picture shows an idyllic scene from a traditional village in Alsace. Half-timbered houses in the colours white, yellow and turquoise with red roofs line a small stream whose banks are characterised by dense greenery, trees and a wooded hill with an old stone wall. In the background, an old castle wall rises on a wooded hill. The scenery looks peaceful.
The famous Alsace Wine Route stretches picturesquely for around 170 kilometres through Alsace and leads past vineyards and idyllic wine villages such as Kaysersberg. © Giban/stock.adobe.com
Bird's-eye view of an expansive vineyard landscape with rolling hills in bright yellow colours. Rows of vines and small paths stretch across numerous vineyards to the horizon.
The vineyards invite you to hikes and wine tastings, where wine lovers can sample regional grape varieties such as Riesling and Gewürztraminer. © Simon Dannhauer/stock.adobe.com
The picture shows an old town with colourful half-timbered houses stretching along a quiet canal. Red and white flowers bloom in the foreground. A large tree can be seen on the right of the picture.
Colmar, one of the most beautiful towns in Alsace, is just an hour from Strasbourg. Colmar enchants visitors with its historic architecture and relaxed atmosphere. © CPN/stock.adobe.com
The picture shows a reddish-sand-coloured castle with dark roofs, perched high on a hill. The castle walls and towers stretch along a steep slope. It is surrounded by a green landscape and wooded slopes stretching to the horizon. The sky is clear and blue.
Alsace is rich in castles. One of them is Château du Haut-Koenigsbourg. The magnificent view alone makes a visit to the 12th-century castle worthwhile. © Gian 78/stock.adobe.com
The photograph shows a monastery complex perched on a wooded hill and surrounded by dense forests with large trees. The buildings are made of red stone, have grey roofs and are illuminated by the sun.
The pilgrimage site of Mont Sainte-Odile is located on a 763-metre-high mountain. The monastery is dedicated to St Odilia, the patron saint of Alsace. © Leonid Andronov/stock.adobe.com

Strasbourg from BER

Flugzeug kurz vor dem Aufsetzen auf die Start- und Landebahn

Volotea

Piktogramm Info-i

Aéroport de Strasbourg (SXB)

Five tips for …

1. From the tower of Strasbourg Cathedral over the roofs of the historic city centre

2. From the viewing terrace of the Barrage Vauban to the picturesque canals

3. From the bridges in Petite France to the pretty half-timbered houses

4. From the roof terrace of the Museum of Modern Art over the city 

5. From a bench in the Orangery Park to the idyllic green spaces

1. Hearty and substantial: Baeckeoffe (stew) and choucroute (Sauerkraut)

2. Varied and crispy: Tarte Flambée (tarte flambée)

3. Cooked in wine: Coq au Riesling (chicken dish)

4. Light and fluffy: Gugelhopf (yeast cake)

5. Stuffed and rolled: Meat snacka (pasta roll)

1. Musée de l'Œuvre Notre-Dame: art from the Middle Ages

2. Musée Alsacien: insights into traditional life in Alsace

3. Musée d'Art Moderne: Masterpieces from Monet to Picasso and Kandinsky

4. Musée Historique de la Ville: the history of the city from antiquity to the present day

5. Musée Tomi Ungerer: Works by the Strasbourg illustrator Tomi Ungerer

Picture Source title:
© olrat/stock.adobe.com

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