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Strasbourg, Capital of Europe and Alsace, is a city where the historic past continues to thrive in the present, in every neighbourhood, down every winding little street. The diversity of its architecture creates a harmonious mosaic extending a permanent invitation to be wandered.

The historic centre of Strasbourg is the Grande Ile, a virtual island embraced by the arms of the River Ill. With its many bridges and canals, its halftimbered buildings and its narrow streets, it was the first city centre to be classified entirely as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

Strasbourg also shares the distinction, along with New York and Geneva, of being headquarters to international institutions without being its country's capital.

As the meaning of its name, "The Crossroads", aptly indicates, Strasbourg offers a veritable alternative to the automobile, with its tram among the most modern in Europe. In this "Petite Reine" champion of France, with its 460 km. (286 mi.) network of bicycle paths, pedestrians and cyclists co-exist in vast automobile-free spaces.

Traditions which continue to this day make Strasbourg an authentic yet modern city; warm, welcoming dynamic, and open to the entire world.

Amongst Strasbourg’s main attractions you’ll find

• The Notre-Dame cathedral. During all seasons, thousands of tourists visit this masterpiece of pink sandstone, gaze at its astronomical clock, admire its pulpit and its stained-glass windows and… enjoy the excellent wine and beer on one of the many welcoming terraces in the cathedral’s neighbourhood.

• "Little France", the former tanners' and millers' quarter, offers a delightful environment for strolling around of for your daily jogging, not to mention the many restaurants that are waiting there for you after the exercise. Its canals and half-timbered houses are a feast for the eye. Don’t let the old facades fool you: you’ll find that Strasbourg is a town that is young at heart, with a vibrant student and night life.

• The covered bridges and panoramic terrace of the Vauban dam, together with he protestant churches of St. Thomas and St. Pierre-le-Jeune, the oeuvre Notre-Dame Museum (16th century) and the Palais Rohan (18th century), are just a few examples of the rich cultural and historical past of Strasbourg. Local guides are at your disposal to tell you all there is to know about it.

• The Place de la République and its historic monuments built between 1871 and 1918, during the era of the German Empire, also transport you back into the past… only to discover that within the distance of a short walk you can find a treasure of modern shops, book stores and a wide variety of restaurants, cafés and stubs.

• The Orangerie Park, its zoo, its boat tours, the Joséphine Pavillon, the European Quarter (The Council of Europe, European Parliament, Human Rights Building...) are just a few more places where you can forget your worries and enjoy life.

• Enjoy the cultural contrasts to be found in Strasbourg by visiting the Alsatian Museum, preservation of traditions of rural life in Alsace and the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art.

• The Christmas Market or "Christkindelsmärik": it is held each year in Strasbourg beginning on the last Saturday of November, continuing until Christmas (or longer, for certain events and entertainment), and takes places on several streets and squares of the city’s centre (Place Broglie, Cathedral Square, Place de la Gare, Place Kleber, etc.). This is the oldest traditional celebration in France, dating back to 1570! An enormous Christmas tree is planted at Place Kléber, concerts take place in the churches and a wealth of events and spectacles showcase the rich traditions of Alsace. A Christmas fairytale wonderland awaits revellers one and all!

Strasbourg ID card

Altitude:
142 m. (466 ft.)

Population:
Strasbourg proper: 265,000
(415,000 in greater metropolitan Strasbourg)

Official Region:
Alsace

Source: Tourism Office of Strasbourg
(OFFICE DE TOURISME DE STRASBOURG)
17, place de la Cathédrale - BP 20029
F - 67014 STRASBOURG CEDEX
Tel. + 33 (0)3 88 52 28 28 - Fax: + 33 (0)3 88 52 28 29
www.otstrasbourg.fr

Open daily from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm