| Check out our free interactive Strasbourg holiday guide and discover Strasbourg's biggest attractions, best restaurants and much more. If you've visited Strasbourg before tell us your holiday tips and help other travellers enjoy great holidays in Strasbourg, France. |
| Free Strasbourg Holiday Guide |
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In the year 12bc, the Romans first built a military camp at this site. From this strategic point, Rome monitored crossings of the Rhine and thereby controlled the German border. During the medieval and renaissance periods, the city flourished as a free town of the Holy Roman Empire, and eventually became a major center of Humanism and the Reformation. The French Revolution and the Empire under Napoleon integrated Strasbourg fully into France.
After a lengthy siege in 1871, Strasbourg was defeated and annexed to the German empire. Along with the regions of Alsace and Lorraine, Strasbourg swung back to France at the conclusion of World War I in 1918, but was occupied by Germany once again in 1940 and remained so until 1944. Strasbourg was selected to be the seat of the Council of Europe when European reconciliation was being determined following World War II.
Today, Strasbourg is the symbol of European unity, and accordingly is headquarters to the Council of Europe, the European Parliament, and the European Court and Commission for Human Rights. The complex history of Strasbourg is evident in the unique blend of French-German architecture, cuisine, dialect, political consciousness, and the residents' deep pride in being Alsatian. |
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The Cathedral - The cathedral of Strasbourg stands on a large paved square since the Middle Ages. Its construction took nearly three centuries, from the oriental parts begun in 1176 to the spire finished in 1439. The spire and the facade are the most remarkable elements of the cathedral. The main facade, made of pink sandstone, is of a fantastic ornamental wealth.
The Fine Arts Museum - Situated at the first floor of the Palais Rohan, it presents a very beautiful collection of Italian, French, Spanish, Flemish and Dutch paintings, of the XIVth century up until 1870. Works of Giotto, Memling, Botticelli, Raphael, Le Correge, Veronese, Le Greco, Ribera, Philippe de Champaigne, Vouet, Claude Lorrain, Rubens, Van Dyck, Ruysdael; and many more are on display.
The Place de la Republique - It is cornered by five official majestic buildings caracteristic of the architecture under the reign of the Prussian emperors after 1870. In the center, a monument stands to honor the dead, erected in 1936 by the sculptor Drivier. It represents a mother with her two sons, one dead for France, the other for Germany, a dramatic situation experienced by the Alsatians during both world wars. |
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Au Coin des Pucelles - Located at 12 rue des Pucelles, this reasonably-priced winstub is very popular with theatre-goers as it's open till very late. They serve traditional food with an original twist and reliable wines. It is a great place to go and have something to eat any time of day.
Restaurant Pere Benoit - 34 Route de Strasbourg. This restaurant has a rustic feel to it and is housed in part of an 18th century farm building. It's very popular with the locals, and it isn't hard to understand why. The menu offers some fantastic dishes and wines, mostly specialities of the region.
Maison Kammerzell - Maison is an instantly recognizable restaurant sitting on the wide plaza in front of the old cathedral in the center of Strasbourg's altstadt. They serve various Alsatian dishes and wines. This is a great place to have a meal, while watching the street performers and various other characters wandering around the area.
S'Munsterstuewel - This is a very special winstub on one of the city's most attractive squares, 8 place du Marché-aux-Cochons-de-Lait. It serves both traditional and more unusual dishes till late, with excellent wines to match. Meals go for around $48. |
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Academie de la Biere - Found at 17 rue Adolphe-Seyboth, near the church of St-Pierre. This is Strasbourg's most famous bierstub and is very popular with locals and tourists alike. It is a great place to mix with the locals while sampling some of the local beers and wines.
L'Abattoir - 1 quai Charles Altorffer. This is one of the best nightclubs in Strasbourg, playing a variety of techno and dance music. It is very popular with the local student population, and is the place to go if you're looking to party till early hours of the night.
Bistro Jazz Club - Located at 30 rue des Tonneliers. This small jazz club has a bar downstairs, and a dancefloor with live music upstairs. There are free concerts on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. It is a good place to go for a little more of a relaxed evening out. |
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The Pourtales park - Situated at the northeast of Strasbourg, the park surrounds a castle made famous by the Countess Melanie of Pourtales that in the last century invited the whole European gotha. Numerous works of contemporary art are found all around the garden.
The park of the Orangerie - Situated in front of the Palace of Europe, this is the biggest and oldest park in the city. The park has many attractions: a lake; a romantic waterfall; a zoo and a farm where the storks grow and reproduce with happiness. Closeby, at the mini-farm, barnyard animals and house pets will be the joy of children. |
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Alsace Aventure Nature - Located at Mairie de Breitenbach. Wander from tree to tree in a natural setting, the courses are set-up on more than 8 acres and may take up to 3 hours to go through. Rope ladders, suspended barrels, tyroleans, monkey bridges, Tarzan vines, nets, and bridges will give you many thrills in the impressive setting of the Breitenbach forest.
Europa Park - The biggest amusement park of Germany, just 30 minutes from Strasbourg. This is a fantastic world of amusement and entertainment for the whole family. It is very popular, with more than 3 million visitors per year. Here you can discover a great number of rides and attractions for the whole family in a total area of 65 acres. Fabulous worlds are just waiting to be explored. |
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