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Discover what to see and do in Strasbourg
The capital of Alsace and one of the most beautiful cities in Europe
The French region of Alsace is a territory full of history, which can be appreciated in all its splendor, observing the architecture of its capital.
This city is one of the most beautiful in France, and for this reason, we tell you what to see and do in Strasbourg, one of the three European capitals, along with Brussels and Luxembourg.
Strasbourg is not only a beautiful city for tourism, as it is one of the most important cities in France, both economically and politically, as well as culturally. We see an example of this in its museums, theaters, and cultural offerings, which are first class.
Strasbourg is also recognized for hosting some important headquarters for the European Union within its limits; such as the European Parliament, the Council of Europe, among others.
Top 10 best things to do in Strasbourg
1. Visit the Historic Center of Strasbourg
If you have little time to travel, and you don't know what to do in Strasbourg in one day; Knowing the Historic Center of Strasbourg is one of the essential activities you can do.
It is considered a World Heritage Site by UNESCO since 1988; being in turn, a living example of medieval European cities, possessing a clear German influence.
The image of this historic center recalls an old European tale, thanks to its white houses with wooden beams, the bridges over the river, its squares, and churches, along with the cobbled streets; which are an icon of these European medieval centers.
The historic center of Strasbourg is located in the sector known as The Big Island, where the most important buildings are located, and the attractions that you cannot miss if you travel through the city.
2. Strasbourg Cathedral
The Cathedral of Strasbourg or Notre Dame is one of the greatest architectural jewels in the world, which also had the privilege of being the tallest building in Europe, from the fifteenth to the seventeenth century.
The magnificence of the exterior and interior of this religious temple has been a source of inspiration for numerous poets, writers, and artists, who have seen in the magnificent beauty of the Cathedral of Strasbourg, one of the highest artistic expressions of the human race.
Observing the facade of the Notre Dame Cathedral is like finding yourself in front of a masterpiece, with its thousands of details; highlighting the image of the Virgin Mary, or the story of the Passion of Christ.
Another element of importance is the central rose window, which is one of the largest on the European continent.
Inside, the central nave adorned with its large columns, the statues representing the apostles, the ceiling of the cathedral decorated with arches stand out; next to the murals that adorn the walls of the temple.
The pulpit, where the priests of yesteryear addressed their sermons to the community, is a Gothic masterpiece; with its motifs that represent the life of the apostles, the crucifixion of Christ, along with other religious motifs told in the Bible.
The bell tower completed in the fifteenth century with its 142 meters high, was the tallest building in Europe until the seventeenth century.
3. Covered Bridges
When the ancient medieval cities were created, it was very important to incorporate security systems to prevent the intrusion of looting armies, thus protecting the peace of the said city.
In the historic center of Strasbourg, four defensive towers stand next to three bridges, which served to defend the city from any enemy attack.
At the time of the founding of Strasbourg, there was a fifth tower that no longer exists today, in addition, the term "Covered Bridges" is because, in the past, these bridges were covered with a roof, which gave it the name that they wear today.
Today, it is one of the most emblematic tourist spots in the city, and one of the main things to do in Strasbourg, France.
Nearby, you can visit the Vauban Dam, which was another important defensive system in Strasbourg, which served to raise the level of the river in case of attack, thus hindering the advance of the enemy.
4. Kleber Square
The historic center is the largest square in the city, where the most important economic center of Strasbourg is located.
Plaza Kléber is the meeting point for locals, who gather here for cultural events or important festivals, as well as one of its Christmas markets when the holiday season arrives.
In any part of Kléber square, you can visit shops of all kinds, as well as discover some of the best restaurants in Strasbourg.
5. Petite France
One of the essential visits in Strasbourg is to visit Petite France, the most beautiful, picturesque, and iconic neighborhood in the city.
The charm of this town in France comes from being located in the historic center of Strasbourg.
It has the best views of the Big Island, where you will appreciate the colorful Alsatian-style houses reflected in the water, along with its cobbled streets, which will transport its visitors to the Middle Ages.
In the past, this region of the city was home to fishermen, millers, and fur tanners; so in some of their houses, the sloping roofs are still appreciated, since it was there, where the skins that would be sold in the market were dried.
It is the most romantic tourist site in Strasbourg, which has many shops, restaurants, and bars, located where the old houses and warehouses of fishermen, millers, and leather tanners were located.
6. Palace of Rohan
One of the main buildings in the historic center of Strasbourg is the Palais de Rohan, where the main museums of this beautiful French city are located.
The palace was for a long time the main room of the Rohan family, who besides being an important clan in France, had among its members, some princes, bishops, and several cardinals; so it will not be strange to find several references to the Catholic Church in the palace.
The walls of the Palais de Rohan housed prominent historical figures, such as Napoleon Bonaparte, Princess Marie Antoinette, Louis Philippe of Orleans, or Napoleon III.
Today, the Palais de Rohan contains some of the main museums in Strasbourg, such as:
The Museum of Fine Arts.
The Museum of Decorative Arts.
The Archaeological Museum.
7. Kammerzell House
Kammerzell House is one of the main places to see in Strasbourg, and one of the most emblematic buildings in the city.
This house is not only the most beautiful in the historic center, but also one of the best preserved old houses, dating back to the 15th century, framed in the German Renaissance style.
Among its main attractions, its 75 windows decorated with Numerous images referring to biblical events, historical scenes such as the reign of Charlemagne, or representations of animals, along with grotesque creatures.
Inside there is currently a luxurious hotel and an excellent restaurant, where you can see the frescoes of the Alsatian painter, Léo Schnug.
8. European Quarter
Considered a European Capital, or the Parliamentary Capital of Europe; Strasbourg is the seat of important European institutions, which have settled in the city, after the conclusion of the Second World War.
As Strasbourg is the capital of the Alsace region, located on the border between France, Germany and Switzerland, it was decided to develop these institutions in Strasbourg, as a symbol of peace and reconciliation.
The region of Alsace and the city of Strasbourg were, during various periods of its history, a source of dispute between the French and Germans, as would happen in 1870 with the Franco-Prussian war, or as would happen in the First and Second World Wars.
Within the European quarter, the most common visit is to the European Parliament ; that offers a guided tour, where you will learn the history of the European Union, its beginnings, background, scope and great achievements.
Among the sites that you can visit on this visit are:
The Debate Room, a place where MEPs discuss the fate of Europe.
The Parlamentarium Simone Veil, to learn about European legislation and current MEPs; in a particular, dynamic and interactive way.
The European Quarter is outside the Historic Center of Strasbourg, so you will need to take a tram, or use other forms of transportation; A particular way to get around Strasbourg is through its river channels.
9. Take a boat ride through the canals of Strasbourg
One of the best ways to get to know the city, and one of the essential activities to do in Strasbourg, is to travel by boat along its river channels, to get another look at this European Capital.
In Strasbourg there are several offers to travel on its canals, passing through the Petite France, the Historic Center, the Imperial Quarter, and the European Quarter.
Tourists will receive explanations in a large number of languages, including different entertainment options, which will depend on the type of service you request.
However, since Strasbourg is located on a tributary of the Rhine River, which passes through different European countries and cities, you can take a cruise that departs from Strasbourg, showing you several German cities, having the possibility of traveling this way to the Netherlands.
10. Museum of Fine Arts in Strasbourg
One of the main museums that you will find in the Rohan Palace is the Strasbourg Museum of Fine Arts, which has a long history.
The museum's collection began in 1801 when it was located in Kléber Square; but from this first collection, most of his works were destroyed in 1870, when the Franco-Prussian war broke out, which would give the nascent German Empire the annexation of Alsace to its territory.
In 1898, the Museum of Fine Arts with a new collection would be installed in the Palais de Rohan, where it currently works.
In this museum you can appreciate a good part of the artistic history of Europe, with painters from the Flemish school, who inspired the later Italian Renaissance, who in turn would change the panorama of European painting.
The collection also includes works by artists such as Goya and painters from the 18th century.
Rubens, Van Dyck, Raphael, El Greco, Canaletto, Memling, Veronese, and Zurbarán are some of the great European painters that you can appreciate in this important French museum.
These have been some of the essential things to see and do in Strasbourg, so that you know the particular charm of this beautiful European Capital.
