What to do in Strasbourg, what to see and what to try at low cost. The French city offers many things that are worth trying and knowing so as not to miss anything, here are our 10 favorites.
Located in the heart ofAlsace, Strasbourg is one of the most picturesque cities in all of France. The historic dispute with Germany for these territories has meant that, over the centuries, architecture, customs, cuisine and traditions developed in a union between German culture and French culture, giving life to the characteristic aspect that we know well.
In addition to this, Strasbourg is also a city where I lived and which I am particularly fond of.
So today I take you on a virtual tour of the ten things not to be missed during a few days vacation.
The first thing I do when I'm in Strasbourg is always, irremediably, a tour of the city center, starting from Place Kléber. It is the main square of the city as well as the largest, and from there - after taking a tour of the numerous bookshops present, of course! - you can set out to discover many other fascinating and equally picturesque places. The city isn't as big as it may seem, and a nice walk will take you almost anywhere!
Once in the center, my advice is to continue towards the Petite France, passing by Gutenberg square (did you know that it is in Strasbourg that Gutenberg developed his printing system?). La Petite France is a historic district of the city, where you can observe the very famous "half-timbered" houses, or rather with the typical exposed wooden frame, a motif that is still used today, albeit only as an aesthetic quirk, in many Alsatian houses. Also in this district you can also visit the medieval fortifications that formed the heart of Strasbourg at the time and which are now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
During a holiday in Strasbourg, you certainly cannot miss a visit to the Notre Dame Cathedral. Although - as in all great Churches and Cathedrals - there is some concession to the "commercial" side that is a bit too evident for my tastes, one cannot fail to be struck by the beauty of the place, a beauty that cannot be described by words, but that hits as soon as you cross the threshold. The peculiarity of the Cathedral? Well, I would say it immediately catches the eye! Begun in 1015 and continued until 1439, the construction works are still unfinished! This is why the Cathedral has only one tower instead of two!
It is assumed that during a winter holiday in Strasbourg the must is a tour of the famous Christmas Markets. But in summer and spring what could be an equally typical alternative? I have no doubts: for me it is certainly the aperitif on the Rhine. If you go to Fishermen's Wharf, you will find several bar with terrace on the riverside and whose real place is actually .. a boat! If you are telling yourself that all this does not seem so low-cost, unfortunately I have to disagree. It is true, the cocktails have not exactly political prices, but if you opt - as by the way I recommend! - for a glass of Riesling or a nice Pastis you will spend surprisingly little!
Another unmissable stop in Strasbourg is the Parc de l'Orangerie, a well-kept park, huge, and truly for all tastes! It is excellent for a walk among the flowers or for a picnic on the lawn, but thanks to the aménagés paths it is also the favorite destination of all sports Strasbourgers, who use it for jogging. It is also not unusual to see yoga or tai chi classes taking classes in public! But the Orangerie park is also very popular with children: in its heart it houses a mini zoo where you can observe - all for free! - ostriches, monkeys, parrots, flamingos and of course the inevitable storks, symbolic animals of the city. Watch out because they are free and sometimes they fly bassettes!
I liked very much, in the spring, to go there and sit and read on the shore of an inland lake inhabited by ducks and swans. This was until a small group of 5 or 6 swans came out of the water to meet me and sanction my retreat! (I'm kidding, they are harmless ... I think!)
Once in the area, a tour of the European institutions is well worth it. Right in front of the park you will see the European Council, and then, a short distance away, the International Court of Human Rights and European Parliament. By organizing in time, it is possible to take guided tours of all these places and discover their functioning and activities. If you are particularly lucky, it may also be possible to attend some sessions of Parliament from the special stands.
One of the great strengths of Strasbourg, especially for travelers, is undoubtedly the ease with which you can move on foot or by public transport (bus and tram) which are very efficient. In addition, it is possible and very comfortable too rent a bicycle for the desired time (be it a couple of hours or a week) in one of the many Vélohop points in the city. Having said that, compared to Italy, rental cars are also quite cheap: my advice would be to take one for a couple of days so you can visit the surroundings of the city. Without traveling too far, you can also enjoy the taste of Alsatian life by taking a tour of the neighboring villages. One for all Illkirch and its lake with a rather Germanic name, the Baggersee.
What makes the city of Strasbourg particularly picturesque is its being cross of cultures. So why not take the opportunity to take a little trip to Germany too? A 5 minute drive (but work is already underway to extend a special tram line), you will find Kehl, a very pretty German town, a great low-cost shopping destination for the Strasbourg people. Definitely worth a visit! If only to be able to say that he took a holiday through Europe!
One thing to keep in mind is that Strasbourg has a bit special hours compared to the rest of France. On the one hand the shops close very early due to the cold winter temperatures, on the other hand you will hardly find a shop open on Sundays due to strong Catholic tradition local. But don't despair! Sunday will certainly not be an empty day! At the weekend there are many events that take place in the city! Try to take a look at the various tourism sites, or perhaps the local newspapers to update you on what is planned for the weekend. Usually there are shows, markets, concerts .. really everything and more. If you get the chance, don't miss it ancient book fair: many stalls arranged along the Rhine where you can find real gems while enjoying a wonderful walk.
Obviously, you cannot miss a visit to some museum, even if only to have a clear conscience! The most interesting are the Museum of Alsatian life, small but picturesque, and the Museum of Modern Art, which often hosts temporary exhibitions which are always worth taking advantage of. Very original is also the Tomi Museum Ungerer, the famous Alsatian illustrator, who exhibits many of his characteristic drawings and sketches. Even children will love it!
