Visit Strasbourg

You're now standing in front of the Vauban dam. The moment Strasbourg became part of France, Vauban, French military engineer and Marshal of France, was requisitioned to upgrade the city's defenses. Read more

You're now standing on Strasbourg's famous covered bridges. They've been uncovered since 1784, but hey, the name's quite catchy, so we might as well stick with it. The three imposing towers date back to the 14th century! Read more

This historic little bridge, known as Pheasant Bridge or simply Swing Bridge, offers a picturesque view of Petite France. It swivels from right to left to allow barges and boats to pass. Read more

You're now crossing the so-called Passerelle des Anciennes-Glacières, the Old Icehouses footbridge. The name may raise a few questions, so here's an explanation. The famous "anciennes glacières" are the group of buildings you see behind you, with the tower bearing the inscription "Hôtel". Read more

There's more to Strasbourg than its cathedral! The Protestant church of St. Thomas is a magnificent example of Alsatian Gothic art. Read more

This square, built around 1100, is one of the oldest in Strasbourg. It was the city's historical center up until the French Revolution. It is occupied by a magnificent building, typical of Renaissance architecture; it’s the Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Read more

Truth be told, the thing about this enormous cathedral is that you can't seem to stand far enough away to fully see it and get the best shots. Read more

You'll find the entrance to the Alsatian Museum right on the Saint-Nicolas quay. The museum opened in 1907 and occupies three houses of typical Alsatian architecture. Here, you will find a vast collection of objects tracing the daily life of Alsatians over the centuries. Read more

I'd like to direct your attention to the brasserie "Au Canon", at the corner of rue d'Austerlitz. You'll see a peculiar canon shell on its façade, which seems to have been halted in mid-flight. There are a total of 8 shells scattered around Strasbourg. Read more

From the 14th to the 17th century, this square was known as "Bei der Schindbrücke". For those who don't speak Alsatian, this translates to  "near the bridge of torment". Charming, isn't it? Read more

Overlooking the town center, you have the old customs house on your left and the old butcher's shop on your right. A word about these iconic buildings. The customs house is a fine reminder of the town's prosperity thanks to its river trade. Read more

You've reached the suckling pig market square. Such a big name for such a small square. No subtleties here, they simply sold suckling pigs, and later pork in general. Read more

You're standing in front of Strasbourg's Notre-Dame Cathedral; about 4 million people visit it every year. It's a "gigantic and delicate marvel" as Victor Hugo put it. Read more

The two gingerbread houses opposite the cathedral are the œuvre de Notre-Dame Foundation and its museum, both raising funds for the maintenance of the cathedral. Right next door is Rohan Palace, another emblematic building of the city. Read more

From here, you have a wonderful view of the exterior façade of Rohan Palace, with its 17 perfectly aligned windows overlooking the Ill river. It's the river that flows through Alsace. Read more

You're now walking along the quays, known as the boatmen's quays, named after the boatmen that once worked here. Today, they are entirely pedestrianized. Read more

The Gayot market square greets you with open arms! It would be unthinkable not to stop for a drink in one of its many restaurants. But before becoming a popular and convivial place to live, the Gayot market square was once occupied by a canons' house. Read more

Right next to the cathedral, there's the famous Kammerzell house. It owes its name to the Kammerzell grocer who lived there in the 19th century. Read more

This huge church, standing on this semi-circular square, is Strasbourg's Temple Neuf. Back in the 13th century, it was home to a Dominican convent. Read more

This long square, lined with lime trees and mansions, is home to the famous Strasbourg Christmas market year after year. If you've come for the occasion, the square is likely bustling and aglow with festive lights. Read more

You're now looking at the Strasbourg Opera House. It's one of the three artistic departments of the Opéra national du Rhin, an opera company jointly run by the cities of Strasbourg, Mulhouse and Colmar. Read more

This beautiful fountain that must have drawn your attention is the Janus Fountain, also known as the Fountain of the Birth of Civilization. Janus is the Roman God of beginnings and endings. Read more

This park-like square tells us a lot about Strasbourg's history. You're at the very heart of the new city, built by the Germans – or, rather, at the time, the Prussians. Read more

From the Fonderie bridge, you have a magnificent view of the Courthouse and the Catholic Church of Saint-Pierre-le-Jeune, a beautiful structure built in pink and red brick and crowned with the largest dome in Alsace. Read more

So, this is the Protestant church of Saint-Pierre-le-Jeune. Before the new Catholic church of Saint-Pierre-le-jeune was built, Catholics and Protestants shared the very same building, the one in front of you. Read more

Like all main squares in France, this is where the crowds meet, whether for a World Cup victory, a gigantic Christmas tree or a protest. The square was named Kléber in honor of the Strasbourg general assassinated during the French campaigns in Egypt. Read more

Take a moment to look at the imposing Galeries Lafayette building. Yes, it's a department store, but its architecture is quite remarkable. Read more

Grand-Rue, the town's historic thoroughfare, follows the ancient Roman road that ran from Strasbourg all the way to Saverne. It was split in 2 in the 1920s during the Grande Percée, a rather ambitious urban modernization project at the end of the 19th century. Read more

Let's jump into the heart of the matter! The Strasbourg you had in mind. The postcard of the famous Petite France. But why Little France? The origin of the name is far less charming than the actual neighborhood. Read more