A visit to Strasbourg, a certified City of Art and History, is a must for anyone exploring Alsace. Its old town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is internationally famous for its exceptional architectural, historic and cultural heritage. The traces of its medieval past and Renaissance period are deeply embedded in its genes.
The Cathedral of Our Lady of Strasbourg, which stands proudly in the city centre, is its culmination and its symbol. Built from the 12th to 15th centuries on the foundations of an old Rhenish basilica, this Gothic masterpiece reveals its sumptuous treasures inside and out. Its magnificent Gothic façade in pink Vosges sandstone, fabulous statuary and spire with a height of 142 metres impress visitors immediately. Inside, it contains many gems, including a rose window with a diameter of nearly 14 metres, and an astronomical clock in the Renaissance style which displays a parade of the Apostles at half-past noon every day. On summer nights, the cathedral is bathed in magical illuminations as part of the sound and light show. At the top of the cathedral tower, 66 metres above ground, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the city after climbing the 330 steps.
The cathedral square is lined by superb old buildings, including the 13th-century one housing the Cerf pharmacy, or the Kammerzell House, which has a timber frame carved in the Renaissance style and is now home to a renowned Alsatian restaurant.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Grande Île is an island in the River Ill that forms the heart of the city centre. Walking along the pedestrian streets, each one more picturesque than the one before it, visitors cannot fail to be enthused by the perfection of the built heritage. With its canals, riverbanks, cobbled streets and flower-adorned half-timbered houses, Petite France is one of the most romantic neighbourhoods on the Grande Île. It was once the district of tanners, millers and fishermen. Built in 1572 at the water's edge, the Tanners' House, which is now a restaurant, perfectly exemplifies the harmony of the location.
On the Vauban Dam, a panoramic terrace offers a scenic view of the Covered Bridges' towers, the river, Petite France and the cathedral. Formerly the German imperial quarter, the Neustadt is another part of Strasbourg which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and is a nice place for a walk. Place de la République, a town square with the air of a park, is one of its highlights. The Orangerie Park and its lake also offer a pleasant place to relax in a leafy environment.
Strasbourg is also the city of museums. It has no less than ten, including the Rohan Palace, which houses three museums devoted to decorative arts, fine arts and archaeology; the Oeuvre Notre-Dame Museum, at the foot of the cathedral, which presents seven centuries of local art; the Alsatian Museum, which celebrates traditions and folk art in Alsace; the Historical Museum, a place of emotion and discovery where you can learn about the history of the city, and the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art. The Historic Cellar of the Strasbourg Hospices is also well worth a visit. It contains a barrel filled with the world's oldest wine, dating back to… 1472!
The city also hosts many events. Apart from the world-famous Strasbourg Christmas market, the city puts on the Musica festival of contemporary music in early autumn, as well as the Sacrées Journées in June, celebrating the sacred music of the world.
A number of European institutions are also based in Strasbourg. The European quarter is home to the Council of Europe, the European Parliament and the European Court of Human Rights.
