Strasbourg

Strasbourg (German: Straßburg, Alsatian: Strossburi) is the capital of the Grand-Est region of France and is most widely known for hosting a number of important European institutions. It is also famous for its beautiful historical centre - the Grande Île - which was the first city centre to be classified entirely as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

Strasbourg is one of the nine largest cities in France with nearly half a million inhabitants in a metropolitan area spanning across the river into the German city of Kehl, on the eastern bank of the Rhine.

The city is the seat of the Council of Europe, the European Court of Human Rights, the European Ombudsman, the Eurocorps, the European Audiovisual Observatory and, most famously, the European Parliament, which also holds sessions in Brussels.

Strasbourg is a popular tourist destination primarily thanks to the beautifully preserved and pedestrian friendly city centre, which can be explored on foot or bicycle in a few days. Don't forget that Strasbourg's appeal now brings tourists to the city throughout the year, with large tour groups especially frequent during the summer months and during the annual winter market.

• The main Tourist Office, Place de la Cathédrale. 09:00 to 19:00. If you ask whether they have maps they try to sell you one for 1,50 EUR - be sure to ask if they have free maps, what you then get is basically the same as the paid one. They also sell a variety of self-guided walking tours through the town (Middle Ages, Renaissance, Modern and Contemporary) for €1 each, and can arrange bike tours through the Faubourgs (the suburbs of Neudorf and Neuhof).
• A smaller tourist office. 09:00 to 19:00.

The main Tourist Office, Place de la Cathédrale. 09:00 to 19:00. If you ask whether they have maps they try to sell you one for 1,50 EUR - be sure to ask if they have free maps, what you then get is basically the same as the paid one. They also sell a variety of self-guided walking tours through the town (Middle Ages, Renaissance, Modern and Contemporary) for €1 each, and can arrange bike tours through the Faubourgs (the suburbs of Neudorf and Neuhof).

A smaller tourist office. 09:00 to 19:00.

While you will very likely find people who will engage in a conversation with you in German, the lingua franca of Strasbourg (and all of Alsace) is French. It is possible to hear German spoken on the streets, especially around the Cathedral. Alsatian (the historic Germanic language of Alsace) is a declining language, spoken mostly by the region's older residents or in rural areas but efforts are underway to revive it. Due to the presence of the EU, chances are you might actually encounter locals that speak pretty good English.

• Cathédrale Notre Dame. Built between 1176 and 1439 and with a 142-m tower (the highest cathedral tower in France), the Gothic cathedral is undoubtedly Strasbourg's finest architectural highlight. Check out the astrometric clock inside the cathedral. Free admission.
• Musée de l'Oeuvre Notre Dame - Medieval and Renaissance Art, place du Château. A splendid museum of medieval religious art related to the cathedral. €6.5.
• Maison Kammerzell. The intricately carved half-timbered frames decorating the upper floors date from 1589.
• Palais des Rohan. French-style palace, built after the acquisition of the town by the French (1681). Home to the Museum of Fine Arts, the Archaeological Museum and the Museum of Applied Arts.
• Musée Alsacien, 23-25, Quai Saint-Nicolas (just across the river from the Ancienne Douane, +33 3 88 52 50 01. M, W-F noon-6pm, Sa-Su 10am to 6pm. This museum features articles from the daily lives of Alsatian peoples from the 13th to 19th centuries: clothing, furniture, toys, tools of artisans and farmers, and religious objects used in Christian, Jewish, and even pagan rites. The exhibits are in rooms connected by wooden staircases and balconies in adjacent multistory Renaissance-era houses around a central courtyard. Admission €6.5.

Cathédrale Notre Dame. Built between 1176 and 1439 and with a 142-m tower (the highest cathedral tower in France), the [[Gothic architecture|Gothic]] cathedral is undoubtedly Strasbourg's finest architectural highlight. Check out the astrometric clock inside the cathedral. Free admission.

Musée de l'Oeuvre Notre Dame - Medieval and Renaissance Art, place du Château. A splendid museum of medieval religious art related to the cathedral. €6.5.

Maison Kammerzell. The intricately carved half-timbered frames decorating the upper floors date from 1589.

Palais des Rohan. French-style palace, built after the acquisition of the town by the French (1681). Home to the Museum of Fine Arts, the Archaeological Museum and the Museum of Applied Arts.

Musée Alsacien, 23-25, Quai Saint-Nicolas (just across the river from the Ancienne Douane, +33 3 88 52 50 01. M, W-F noon-6pm, Sa-Su 10am to 6pm. This museum features articles from the daily lives of Alsatian peoples from the 13th to 19th centuries: clothing, furniture, toys, tools of artisans and farmers, and religious objects used in Christian, Jewish, and even pagan rites. The exhibits are in rooms connected by wooden staircases and balconies in adjacent multistory Renaissance-era houses around a central courtyard. Admission €6.5.

Petite France is the name given to the small area between the rivers, just south of the Grande Île. It is home to some of Strasbourg's prettiest and most photogenic streets and buildings, with half timbered townhouses leaning out over the narrow cobbled streets. Petite France resembles Colmar (a city an hour south), with picturesque canal and half-timber houses.

Use bus lines #6, 30, 72 to get there.

• Council of Europe's seat. built in 1977 by Henry Bernard.
• European Court of Human Rights. Built in 1995 by Richard Rogers
• European Parliament. Built in 1999 by Architecture Studio. The parliament tends to meet in Brussels more and the arrangement with the parliament moving shop between Brussels and Strasbourg several times a year has been criticized as wasteful of money by EU skeptics and penny-pinchers.

Council of Europe's seat. built in 1977 by Henry Bernard.

European Court of Human Rights. Built in 1995 by Richard Rogers

European Parliament. Built in 1999 by Architecture Studio. The parliament tends to meet in [[Brussels]] more and the arrangement with the parliament moving shop between Brussels and Strasbourg several times a year has been criticized as wasteful of money by EU skeptics and penny-pinchers.

• Parc de l'Orangerie. A beautiful classical park. It has a small free zoo featuring birds and a few other animals. Also has an excellent playground for young children.
• Stockfeld. Garden city built in the early 20th century in the south-east of the Neuhof (southern part of the town). Use bus line #24 to get there.
• ARTE Television headquarters, 4, quai du Chanoine Winterer (near the European district.
• B-line tramway terminus at Hoenheim. Built in 2001 by the contemporary architect Zaha Hadid.
• Place de la République. A central crossroad encircled by neoclassical public buildings.
• Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art. It's recommended also because of the interesting building. €10.
• Historical Museum. Museum of Strasbourg's history. €6.5.
• Zoological Museum. Mo-Fr 10:00-18:00. €8.
• Archeological Museum. €6.5.
• Museum of Decorative Arts. €6.5.
• Museum of fine Arts. €6.5.
• Museum Tomi Ungerer. 10:00-18:00; Tu off. €6.5.

Parc de l'Orangerie. A beautiful classical park. It has a small free zoo featuring birds and a few other animals. Also has an excellent playground for young children.

Stockfeld. Garden city built in the early 20th century in the south-east of the Neuhof (southern part of the town). Use bus line #24 to get there.

ARTE Television headquarters, 4, quai du Chanoine Winterer (near the European district.

B-line tramway terminus at Hoenheim. Built in 2001 by the contemporary architect Zaha Hadid.

Place de la République. A central crossroad encircled by neoclassical public buildings.

Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art. It's recommended also because of the interesting building. €10.

Historical Museum. Museum of Strasbourg's history. €6.5.

Zoological Museum. Mo-Fr 10:00-18:00. €8.

Archeological Museum. €6.5.

Museum of Decorative Arts. €6.5.

Museum of fine Arts. €6.5.

Museum Tomi Ungerer. 10:00-18:00; Tu off. €6.5.

Christmas Markets can be found in many places, but the most important and beautiful are place Broglie and place de la Cathédrale, although they are crowded. They are the best places to drink hot wine (vin chaud) and to eat Christmas cookies (Brädeles).

Even when there are no special events on in Strasbourg, walking around the old town is a very nice way to pass a day. And there are lots of good cafes to stop and rest in as you make your tour.

Boat tours along the Rhine offer views over both Strasbourg and neighbouring Germany. Batorama offer several river tours lasting from around 45 minutes to a few hours, costing around €10 per person. 45 min tours run around the town center and the European district. Boats can be found below Place du Marché aux Poissons.

From time to time, the city organizes a general market in vast parts of the center, where many street vendors offer various products and the shops join in with special discounts. Then, the city center on the island is partly closed for parking or driving and the trams don't go on the rue des Francs Bourgeois. Information about regular market dates is hard to find on the net. If you manage to track down the date of this market, write it here and don't miss it.

• Marché aux Puces, rue de Vieil-Hôpital. W and Sa.
• Place des Halles, 24, place des Halles. Mon-Fri 09:00 - 20:00, and Saturdays until 20:00. A shopping center with over 100 shops and restaurants north of the city center, but within walking distance.
• Shopping centre Rivetoile, Place d'etoile (between the Etoile Polygone and Etoile Bourse tram stops. This new development has shops similar to Place des Halles as well as higher budget shops and a selection of cafes.

Try Galeries Lafayettes at rue du 22 Novembre and Printemps at 1-5 rue de la Haute Montée. Rue Hellebardes and Gutenberg offer designer clothes and men's clothes. Bruno Saint Hilaire has designer clothes for men and a shop in 8, rue Gutenberg. There is a low-budget, secondhand clothing shop in 6, rue de la Lanterne, and various gadget shops can be found in rue des Juifs.

For cheap groceries, including local wines and beers, try one of the three outlets of NORMA, a German discount chain whose three outlets are conveniently located at the corner of rue St Michel and rue Ste Marguerite near the central train station; at 79, Grand'Rue near the center of Grand Île; and at 27, rue des Frères near the Cathedral. Open M-F 10AM-8PM, Sa 9:30AM-7PM.

Marché aux Puces, rue de Vieil-Hôpital. W and Sa.

Place des Halles, 24, place des Halles. Mon-Fri 09:00 - 20:00, and Saturdays until 20:00. A shopping center with over 100 shops and restaurants north of the city center, but within walking distance.

Shopping centre Rivetoile, Place d'etoile (between the Etoile Polygone and Etoile Bourse tram stops. This new development has shops similar to Place des Halles as well as higher budget shops and a selection of cafes.

Alsatian specialties are numerous and can be eaten in many traditional restaurants, in the city or in the neighborhood. Particularly you shouldn't visit Alsace without having the sauerkraut (choucroute in French). Choucroute seems to have a standard price throughout Alsace of 14 Euros. Don't be too dismayed by this seemingly high price as what is brought to you is a heaping plate of Sauerkraut (big enough for 2 people) as well as sausages and other meats. This is usually translated as "garnished sauerkraut" on English menus, when in doubt ask your server. Other specialties include the Alsatian pork-butcher's meat, Flammeküche or flams (tartes flambées in French) which is a sort of wafer thin pizza made with onion-cream sauce, Baeckeoffe, beef and pork stew cooked, with potatoes and carrots, usually served for two or more persons and Fleischnackas, mixed beef meat presented like spirals and served with salads.

• Au Brasseur, 22 Rue des Veaux, +33 3 88 36 12 13. This a restaurant and microbrewery. Try one of their beers and a tarte flambé for about €10. Has a small children's menu.
• Al Boustane, 31 Rue de la Krutenau, +33 3 88 36 27 85. on rue de la Krutenau. This Lebanese restaurant features sandwiches and kebabs.
• Flam's, +33 3 88 36 36 90. On rue des Frères near the Cathédrale. Serves a great variety of flams (tartes flambés) and has an amazing winelist for a budget joint.
• L'Épicerie, 6 Rue du Vieux Seigle, +33 3 88 32 52 41. Features sandwiches "tartines" (about €4). Food from noon to night. Tables on street and inside.
• Le Frangin, 33 Rue des Frères, +33 3 88 35 04 14. two doors down from Flam's on Rue des Frères serves a wide range of home-cooked pasta and pizzas at reasonable prices. Pizza and pasta main courses range from €8-9, meat dishes €14-15 and an Alsatian beer €2.50. The owner is friendly and the food is good, satisfying Italian cooking.
• Restaurant universitaire La Gallia, 1 Place de l'Université, +33 3 88 15 73 72. The oldest university restaurant in France, in a 19th-century building, built by the Germans (which explains the ceiling decorations). It is the last French university restaurant that is managed by students. Not a culinary triumph, but very affordable.
• Le Saladin, 41, Grand'Rue, +33 3 88 32 12 32. Tunisian/Algerian couscous and kebabs. No alcohol. €6-7.
• Le Zorba, 61 Rue de Zurich, +33 3 88 36 99 51. This little Greek restaurant in the Krutenau area features sandwiches, souvlaki, and kebabs.

Au Brasseur, 22 Rue des Veaux, +33 3 88 36 12 13. This a restaurant and microbrewery. Try one of their beers and a tarte flambé for about €10. Has a small children's menu.

Al Boustane, 31 Rue de la Krutenau, +33 3 88 36 27 85. on rue de la Krutenau. This Lebanese restaurant features sandwiches and kebabs.

Flam's, +33 3 88 36 36 90. On rue des Frères near the Cathédrale. Serves a great variety of flams (tartes flambés) and has an amazing winelist for a budget joint.

L'Épicerie, 6 Rue du Vieux Seigle, +33 3 88 32 52 41. Features sandwiches "tartines" (about €4). Food from noon to night. Tables on street and inside.

Le Frangin, 33 Rue des Frères, +33 3 88 35 04 14. two doors down from Flam's on Rue des Frères serves a wide range of home-cooked pasta and pizzas at reasonable prices. Pizza and pasta main courses range from €8-9, meat dishes €14-15 and an Alsatian beer €2.50. The owner is friendly and the food is good, satisfying Italian cooking.

Restaurant universitaire La Gallia, 1 Place de l'Université, +33 3 88 15 73 72. The oldest university restaurant in France, in a 19th-century building, built by the Germans (which explains the ceiling decorations). It is the last French university restaurant that is managed by students. Not a culinary triumph, but very affordable.

Le Saladin, 41, Grand'Rue, +33 3 88 32 12 32. Tunisian/Algerian couscous and kebabs. No alcohol. €6-7.

Le Zorba, 61 Rue de Zurich, +33 3 88 36 99 51. This little Greek restaurant in the Krutenau area features sandwiches, souvlaki, and kebabs.

• Chez Tante Liesel, 4 Rue des Dentelles, +33 3 88 23 02 16. Very friendly.
• Chez Yvonne, +33 3 88 32 84 15. Usually frequented by Jacques Chirac, when he comes to Strasbourg, because of its well-known tête de veau (cooked veal head). More expensive.
• La Boucherie, Les Docks, Presqu'île André-Malraux, +33 3 88 44 45 48. This chain restaurant is kid-friendly, with a small children's menu, highchairs, and a toy and coloring book for young children, and will satisfy a craving for red meat at a reasonable price.
• La Stub, 4 Rue du Saumon, +33 3 88 21 05 00. just one block from the Vox cinema on rue des Francs Bourgeois in the center of Grand Ile. This local Alsatian favorite features Fischer brews for €2-3 and tartes flambés for €7-8.
• Restaurant Avanos, 20 Grand'Rue, +33 3 88 226257. Spécialités orientales: couscous, döner, grilled meats, fish. 3 plats du jour choices every lunchtime. 10% off takeaway meals every evening. €10-12.

Chez Tante Liesel, 4 Rue des Dentelles, +33 3 88 23 02 16. Very friendly.

Chez Yvonne, +33 3 88 32 84 15. Usually frequented by Jacques Chirac, when he comes to Strasbourg, because of its well-known tête de veau (cooked veal head). More expensive.

La Boucherie, Les Docks, Presqu'île André-Malraux, +33 3 88 44 45 48. This chain restaurant is kid-friendly, with a small children's menu, highchairs, and a toy and coloring book for young children, and will satisfy a craving for red meat at a reasonable price.

La Stub, 4 Rue du Saumon, +33 3 88 21 05 00. just one block from the Vox cinema on rue des Francs Bourgeois in the center of Grand Ile. This local Alsatian favorite features Fischer brews for €2-3 and tartes flambés for €7-8.

Restaurant Avanos, 20 Grand'Rue, +33 3 88 226257. Spécialités orientales: couscous, döner, grilled meats, fish. 3 plats du jour choices every lunchtime. 10% off takeaway meals every evening. €10-12.

• L'Ancienne Douane, 6 Rue de la Douane, +33 3 88 15 78 78. on rue de la Douane, near the cathedral, next to the Ill river. A big restaurant for tourist groups. You are almost sure to find a place here even if you have no reservation. Mid-range prices.
• Au Petit Bois Vert, 2 Quai de la Bruche, +33 3 88 32 66 32. in the Petite France district, serves well-prepared flams and Alsatian specialties in a small room with smiling waiters. The chef usually comes by at the end of the evening. Great terrace during the summer under a big tree on the bank of the river. No reservation, mid-range prices.
• Kirn Restaurant, 17-19, rue du 22 novembre (at the intersection of Fossé des Tanneurs west of Place Kleber, +33 3 88 321610. The restaurant is above a fine Alsatian specialty food shop on the ground floor.
• Au Dauphin, 13, place de la Cathédrale (on the corner of cathedral square next to Hotel de la Cathédrale; look for a red awning and walk through the inner courtyard to get to it, +33 388 21 01 46. Try the choucroute aux trois poissons; it is very fresh and a wonderful take on the traditional sauerkraut dish. They also serve the traditional choucroute garnie, with up to seven types of meat, including headcheese.
• Le Sanglier, 11 Rue du Sanglier, +33 3 88 32 64 58. on rue du Sanglier in the Carré d'Or district, near the cathedral. A small restaurant with a traditional setting. If you want a Baeckoffe, you must inform the restaurant 24h before. Mid-range prices.
• Restaurant La Vigne, 14, rue de Sébastopol (across the street from the Mc Donald's at Les Halles shopping center, +33 3 88 220109. This charming and friendly winstub has more moderate prices than its counterparts in La Petite France or near the cathedral, with choucroute garnie and baeckoffe under €15 and bottles of Alsatian wine for about €20.

L'Ancienne Douane, 6 Rue de la Douane, +33 3 88 15 78 78. on rue de la Douane, near the cathedral, next to the Ill river. A big restaurant for tourist groups. You are almost sure to find a place here even if you have no reservation. Mid-range prices.

Au Petit Bois Vert, 2 Quai de la Bruche, +33 3 88 32 66 32. in the Petite France district, serves well-prepared flams and Alsatian specialties in a small room with smiling waiters. The chef usually comes by at the end of the evening. Great terrace during the summer under a big tree on the bank of the river. No reservation, mid-range prices.

Kirn Restaurant, 17-19, rue du 22 novembre (at the intersection of Fossé des Tanneurs west of Place Kleber, +33 3 88 321610. The restaurant is above a fine Alsatian specialty food shop on the ground floor.

Au Dauphin, 13, place de la Cathédrale (on the corner of cathedral square next to Hotel de la Cathédrale; look for a red awning and walk through the inner courtyard to get to it, +33 388 21 01 46. Try the choucroute aux trois poissons; it is very fresh and a wonderful take on the traditional sauerkraut dish. They also serve the traditional choucroute garnie, with up to seven types of meat, including headcheese.

Le Sanglier, 11 Rue du Sanglier, +33 3 88 32 64 58. on rue du Sanglier in the Carré d'Or district, near the cathedral. A small restaurant with a traditional setting. If you want a Baeckoffe, you must inform the restaurant 24h before. Mid-range prices.

Restaurant La Vigne, 14, rue de Sébastopol (across the street from the Mc Donald's at Les Halles shopping center, +33 3 88 220109. This charming and friendly winstub has more moderate prices than its counterparts in La Petite France or near the cathedral, with choucroute garnie and baeckoffe under €15 and bottles of Alsatian wine for about €20.

• Moozé, 1 Rue de la Demi Lune, +33 3 88 14 08 08. on rue de la Demi-lune near Place Kleber: sushi restaurant. Sushi moves on a conveyor belt in front of you.

Moozé, 1 Rue de la Demi Lune, +33 3 88 14 08 08. on rue de la Demi-lune near Place Kleber: sushi restaurant. Sushi moves on a conveyor belt in front of you.

• Beer : Alsace is the first beer-producing region of France and Strasbourg has many breweries. Best known are Kronenbourg and Fischer, whose factories can be visited for free, with free drinks at the end of the tour.
• Alsatian white wine: usually drunk with Alsatian food, but also with fish. The main varieties are Gewürtztraminer, Riesling and Pinot Gris. They have a particularly floral flavour and are well worth investigating.

• Les BerThoM, 18 Rue des Tonneliers, +33 3 88 32 81 18. Beer bar located on the Rue de Tonneliers in the proximity of la place Gutenburg. Spacious with an agreeable atmosphere.
• Café Bar de l'Odyssée, 3 Rue des Francs-Bourgeois, +33 3 88 16 22 03. Bar with an intimate interior. Great place to enjoy a game of backgammon.

Les BerThoM, 18 Rue des Tonneliers, +33 3 88 32 81 18. Beer bar located on the Rue de Tonneliers in the proximity of la place Gutenburg. Spacious with an agreeable atmosphere.

Café Bar de l'Odyssée, 3 Rue des Francs-Bourgeois, +33 3 88 16 22 03. Bar with an intimate interior. Great place to enjoy a game of backgammon.

Strasbourg is by a fair margin the safest of France's largest cities, being even safr than many mid-sized places, and tourists have little to fear. With that said, the standard precautions still need to be applied: watch out for pickpockets near the Cathedral (and even inside, according to the signs) during the high tourist season and throughout the old town. Some areas in the south (Especially the Neuhof neighborhood, which often ranked as one of France's roughest areas) and west (Hautepierre, Cronenbourg) might be iffy, especially at night. But otherwise, the city of Strasbourg is not known for violence.

Local mobile phone services are provided by Orange, SFR and Bouygues Télécom. Payphone kiosks are plentiful and international calling cards can be purchased in post offices and 'tabacs' (corner shops). Most of the internet cafés listed below are also equipped for making online telephony calls (Skype etc.).

• In most McDonald's in Strasbourg you get free WLAN.

• Greece Greece, 49, Avenue des Vosges, +33 388-354024.
• Japan Japan, 20, Place des Halles, +33 3 88-52-85-00.
• Russia Russia, 6, place Sébastien Brant, +33 3 88 36 73 15.
• Serbia Serbia, 26, Avenue de la Forêt Noire, +33 3 88 35 39 80.
• Spain Spain, 13, Quai Kléber, +33 3 88 32 67 27, +33 7 64 20 33 33 (emergency).
• Switzerland Switzerland, 23, rue Herder, +33 388 35 00 70.
• United States United States, 15, Avenue d'Alsace, +33 3 88 353 104.

Greece Greece, 49, Avenue des Vosges, +33 388-354024.

Japan Japan, 20, Place des Halles, +33 3 88-52-85-00.

Russia Russia, 6, place Sébastien Brant, +33 3 88 36 73 15.

Serbia Serbia, 26, Avenue de la Forêt Noire, +33 3 88 35 39 80.

Spain Spain, 13, Quai Kléber, +33 3 88 32 67 27, +33 7 64 20 33 33 (emergency).

Switzerland Switzerland, 23, rue Herder, +33 388 35 00 70.

United States United States, 15, Avenue d'Alsace, +33 3 88 353 104.

• Sélestat — with Haut-Koenigsbourg castle nearby
• Alsatian Vineyard Route
• Colmar
• Kaysersberg
• Riquewihr
• Obernai
• Marmoutier — about 35 km from Strasbourg, has a beautiful 12th-century abbey church
• Kehl — Germany is a short ride or walk across the river.