Strasbourg: The crossroads of Europe
Strasbourg blends French charm with German architecture at the crossroads of Europe — far quieter than Paris.
Strasbourg Cathedral
A true European city
When people plan to visit a city in France, they might think of: Paris, Marseile, Nice, or even Bordeaux. But we strongly believe that Strasbourg deserves a spot on that list.
One of the capitals of Europe, Strasbourg lies at the very heart of Western Europe, in the historic region of Alsace. It is situated in the Rhine valley, right next to the German border, on the banks of the Ill river.
Over the centuries, the city has switched between French and German rule, which is reflected in the architecture and the culture. The old town is a mix of French and German styles, with traditional half-timbered houses and imposing French palaces side by side.
Grande Île
The old town, situated on the Grande Île should be your starting point. It is almost entirely pedestrian and is incredibly unique for a French city, due to its history of strong German influence. Architecturally speaking, the old town can be mistaken with a city from Southern Germany.
Strasbourg is famous for the Cathedral of Our Lady, easily recognizable with its unfinished second spire. It is one of the finest examples of gothic catherdrals in the world.
The first sight of the cathedral as you take a sudden turn on one of the narrow cobbled steets in the old town is breath-taking. If you are like us, you will spend hours trying to get that perfect shot of its impressive facade.
Petite France
As you walk around the Old town, you will discover small cobbled streets packed with half-timbered houses.
One particularly beautiful area is Petite France, around the canals of the Ill river. Small bakeries and cafes line the narrow streets and canals, making it a perfect spot for a quick stop before heading back to the old town.
It is also fascinating to watch a series of old wooden locks that control the water level of the canals, allowing boats to pass through.
Further south of the old town, you will find the Vauban Barrage, where the different branches of the Ill river meet. It is a great spot to enjoy the sunset over the old town and the river.
European Quarter
Strasbourg is also a modern city. Home of EU Parliament and other institutions like the European Court of Human Rights and the Council of Europe (not to be confused with the European Council). All of these are found in the European Quarter, a bit to the North of the old town.
All in all, Strasbourg is a wonderful destination for a city break, combining the French charm with the old German architecture. We spent 2 days there during our Interrail tour of Europe back in 2013 and we would love to get back some time in the near future.
