It’s One of France’s Biggest Cities—But Still Feels Like a Fairytale Village (And Is An Absolute Must-Visit)
Literally just a few kilometers from Germany, and situated in the heart of France’s Alsace region, is the stunningly beautiful city of Strasbourg.
Alsace has changed hands between France and Germany several times throughout history, resulting in Strasbourg’s dynamic, interesting, and unique cultural heritage, architecture, and cuisine.
Think half-timbered homes, medieval architecture, sauerkraut and wine, and technological innovation.
And Strasbourg is seriously adorable – truly, wandering around the historic center feels like a charming French village, but it’s actually a bustling metropolis.
I LOVE Strasbourg and think it’s one of France’s most fascinating and beautiful big cities. These are a few of Strasbourg’s most iconic, can’t-miss attractions.
12 Amazing Things to Do in Strasbourg
1. Strasbourg Cathedral
The Strasbourg Cathedral is the jewel of the Grande Ile and is an insanely massive cathedral that sits in a relatively small square – you really feel dwarfed by the building!
In fact, the cathedral was the world’s tallest building from 1647 to 1874, until the cathedral in Hamburg, Germany surpassed it.
The Strasbourg Cathedral took 250 years to complete and was finished in 1439. Because it took so long to build, multiple architectural styles are evident in the design.
The earliest part of the church – the nave and transept – are Romanesque style, whereas the rest of the church is more French and German Gothic style.
Intricate, detailed sculptures and latticework fill the entire facade, complete with flying buttresses, stained glass windows, and gargoyles.
Inside you’ll find soaring ceilings of pointed arches, huge stained glass windows covering the walls.
2. Cathedral Panoramic Terrace
You can also climb the towers of the cathedral to the panoramic rooftop terrace. You’ll climb a spiral staircase of 330 steps up the south tower, getting periodic views out of the small windows over the church roof and back to the city. Of course, at the top the views are incredible.
I also really liked being up and close with the flying buttresses and gargoyles!
The platform at the top of the cathedral sits right at the base of the tower and was used as a watchtower during the Middle Ages and Renaissance times, but was also a common leisure spot and social gathering place for families in the 18th and 19th centuries.
Originally, the cathedral was supposed to have 2 spires, but the second tower, though started, was never completed. I don’t mind, though, as it gives it a distinctive look!
3. Explore Petite France
Petite France is a small but oh-so-cute neighborhood of Strasbourg on the west side of the Grande Ile. Here, multiple canals intersect with the Ill River and the Canal dex Faux-Remparts, and are lined with picture-perfect half-timbered houses, and flowers galore.
The Petite France area is also known as the Quartier des Tanneurs and is named after all the tanners who worked in this neighborhood in the Middle Ages.
The buildings were on the river to provide access to the water needed for tanning the leather, and had open galleries under the roofs used for drying hides. Enjoy some pictures of this adorable neighborhood!
4. Take a Boat Ride on the Ill River
When you need a break from walking, a boat tour on the Ill River is a fun activity and offers a unique perspective on the city.
I recommend taking a Batorama boat tour, a 1-hour-and-15-minute cruise that circles the Grande Île before continuing up the Ill River to the European Parliament.
As you cruise, you’ll listen to narration telling you about the different buildings you’re passing and some of the history behind them.
You also get to watch the lock system of the canal in action – the boat will enter into a lock, the gates will close, and water will come in or out of the lock to match the water levels upstream. This was cool to experience!
You can buy tickets for the boat tours online, at the Batorama ticket office on the Cathedral Square, or at the Batorama ticket office on the quai. The cost is approximately €15 for adults.
Boat tours run approximately every 15-30 minutes throughout the day, and you can just buy your tickets the day of. I was here during high season and bought my ticket 45 minutes ahead of time without a problem.
5. Maison Kemmerzell
Maison Kemmerzell is the oldest building in Strasbourg and is a beautiful historic house covered in intricate wooden designs. It is located right on the Place de la Cathedrale and today is home to an upscale Alsacian restaurant.
6. Place Kleber
Place Kleber is the largest square in Strasbourg, and is lined with stately old buildings, a water feature, and a grand statue of J.B. Kleber, a decorated French general born in Strasbourg in 1753 who died in Cairo in 1800.
This square contained a church and monastery in the Middle Ages, which were both demolished in the 1500s when the town officially converted to Protestantism.
7. Musée des Arts Decoratifs
The Decorative Arts Museum is essentially a tour through the historical rooms of the Bishop’s Palace, which was built in 1732 for the Prince Bishop of Strasbourg (Armand Gaston de Rohan-Soubise).
The palace was his residence, as well as the residence of the kings and other dignitaries who visited the city. Empress Josephine (wife of Napoleon) stayed at the Palais Rohan for two extended stays when Napoleon was off in his military campaigns.
Bishop Soubise wanted a palace in the style of the Chateau de Versailles, and even commissioned plans from the King’s architect. As you might expect from a palace taking inspiration from Versailles, the palace rooms are gorgeous!
Each room is sumptuously decorated, often with gold leafing designs on the ceiling and walls typical of the Rocaille style.
Beautiful murals and sculptures, columns and pilasters, tapestries, and intricate embellishments and ornamentation cover the walls and ceilings.
You’ll visit rooms such as the ballroom, the bishop’s room, the library, the chapel, and Emperor Napoleon’s morning room.
I loved this museum and thought it was so beautiful and interesting. If you only do one museum in Palais Rohan, it should be this one.
8. Musée Alsacien
The Alsacien Museum is housed in a historic 16th-century building and gives a look at traditional Alsacien living, with typical living rooms and items from daily life displayed throughout the rooms.
Displays include detailed examples of:
- Beautiful painted furniture typical of the region
- Different bed styles
- The special stoves used to heat the homes
- What a well-to-do wine grower’s living room might look like
- Typical kitchens and bedrooms filled with all the trappings of a kitchen (pots, pans, butter churns, stoves, baskets, plates, cutlery, etc)
- A pharmacy
Plus, you can see examples of traditional Alsacian clothing. Women had a very distinct “uniform” of a red skirt and headdress with a black bow. Men wore a red waistcoat with large buttons.
I found this museum to be fascinating and charming, creating a vivid look back into the past. The room setups, attention to small details, items of daily life, and outfits really helped paint a picture of what life would have been like in Alsace.
9. Walk the River Banks
The Ill River on the south side of the Grande Ile is incredibly charming, lined with walking paths, and gorgeous views over the water and quaint buildings lining the riverbanks.
The north side of the Grand Ile is lined by the Canal des Faux Remparts and is also a nice area to walk. This side is a lot quieter, with a narrower waterway and more nature-focused pathways along the banks.
Watch for stairs down from the sidewalks to access the pathways, which are popular for walking, jogging, or hanging out – it’s definitely worth walking along at least part of the river/canal.
10. Eat Traditional Alsacian Food
Thanks to its long history with Germany, Alsacian food bears a lot of resemblance to German food. Almost every restaurant in town serves Alsatian cuisine, so it’s you’ll certainly have ample opportunity to try some delicious regional foods:
- Choucroute Garnie: A dish comprised of sausage, sauerkraut (choucroute) and sometimes boiled potatoes.
- Tarte Flambée: Similar to a pizza, this dish has a super thin crust that is usually wood-fired, topped with cream, onions, and ham or bacon.
- Bretzels: Alsacian pretzels, sometimes prepared with melted cheese or cinnamon sugar.
- Spaetzle: A buttery egg noodle dish, often cooked with “toppings” like chicken, tomato, and cheese.
- Kouglehopf: A regional pastry made with brioche dough and filled with rum-soaked raisins.
A few recommended restaurants include:
- La Fignette (5, Rue de la Vignette)
- La Hache (11, Rue de la Douane)
- L’Argentoratum (14, Rue du Bain-aux-Plantes)
- Binchstub Restaurant (6, Rue du Tonnelet Rouge)
11. Barrage Vauban & Ponts Couverts
The Barrage Vauban (Vauban Dam) and the Ponts Couverts (Covered Bridges) are the two main “attractions” in Petite France. They face each other where the canals of Petite France meet the confluence of the Ill River and Canal du Faux Remparts.
The Canal des Faux Remparts runs along the north side of the Grande Ile and together with the Ill River, makes the Grande Ile an island.
The dam was built between 1686-1700 and designed by Vauban, Louis XIV’s military engineer. The dam was designed to be able to open up the river and flood the surrounding countryside to make it inaccessible to attackers.
While the defensive capabilities of the dam are not really necessary today, the dam is still working.
The Ponts Couverts originally was a set of 4 covered bridges crossing the Ill River in succession, interspersed with towers. Today, the bridges are just “regular” open-air stone bridges, with 2 of the historic towers still standing on the bridge.
The Ponts Couverts directly face the Vauban Dam.
12. Strasbourg Christmas Market
The Strasbourg Christmas Market is known as the “Capital of Christmas” and is truly one of the most incredible holiday markets in Europe.
From the end of November to end of Deccember, twelve different markets fill the Grande Ile, with Place Kleber hosting an enormous Christmas tree. Lit decorations adorn the streets around town and the entire city has an air of festivity to it.
It’s truly a magical and immersive experience and deserves a spot on your Christmas bucket list. (And if you’re coming to Strasbourg at Christmas, don’t skip the Colmar Christmas Market nearby).
Final Thoughts
Strasbourg is a truly unique and beautiful city in France, with so much to offer. Whether you’re exploring its attractions, learning about its history, sampling the distinctive cuisine, or simply enjoying the charming views, you’ll find plenty of memorable experiences.
