Holiday in Strasbourg

What makes Strasbourg special as a destination?

Strasbourg, seat of the European Parliament and capital of Alsace, is a city that uniquely combines French elegance and Germanic tradition. The Grande Île, the historic old town on an island in the Ill River, was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988 as the first complete city center in France. The Strasbourg Cathedral is a masterpiece of Gothic architecture: at 142 meters, it was the tallest building in the world until 1874. The astronomical clock inside, a marvel of Renaissance mechanics, performs its figurative parade daily at 12:30 PM. Victor Hugo called the cathedral a 'wonder of the gigantic and the delicate.' The district of La Petite France, with its half-timbered houses, covered bridges (Ponts Couverts), and the canals of the Ill, is one of the most romantic neighborhoods in Europe. The European Quarter, home to the European Parliament, the Council of Europe, and the European Court of Human Rights, gives the city an international dimension. The Musée d’Art Moderne et Contemporain, the Historical Museum, and the university (founded in 1538) enrich the cultural life. Alsatian cuisine offers Flammkuchen (Tarte Flambée), Choucroute, Bäckeoffe, and excellent wines. In December, the Christkindelsmärik takes place, France's oldest Christmas market (since 1570), which transforms the entire old town into a sea of lights and attracts two million visitors annually. Strasbourg is reachable by TGV in 1 hour and 46 minutes from Paris.