Visit to Strasbourg: 10 original ideas to discover the city (+ our good addresses)<

Stroll through the big island

1/ Les Haras

While horses have left the scene since 2005, the ex-National Haras was rehabilitated by luxurious hotel restaurant.Go have a drink at the brasserie: its monumental wooden spiral staircase is worth the detour.23, rue des Glacières.

2/ Protestant church Saint-Pierre-Le-Jeune

Apart From the tumult of the city, give yourself a break in the cloister of one of the oldest churches in the city, stopping in Front of the remarkable neo-Gothic Frescoes of the nave.Place Saint-Pierre-Le-Jeune.

3/ La Mandragore

Push the door of this bar which holds From the cabinet of curiosities.Apparent stones, stuffed animals and stools covered with beast skins... l'ambiance est aussi atypique que sympathique !Place Saint-Pierre-Le-Jeune

4/ Porcus

A true institution in refined Alsatian alsatian cold cuts, knacks and other regional products.At the upstairs restaurant, you can taste for lunch a divine Christmas sauerkraut.6, Place du Temple Neuf.

5/ Arts and collections of Alsace

This is the perfect place to make a few shopping: Garance red tablecloth for a beautiful Christmas table or artisanal pottery made in Alsace? 4, Place du Marché aux.

6 / Tomi Ungerer Museum

The author of children's books Les Trois Brigands or Jean de la Lune, born in Strasbourg, is an internationally renowned illustrator.This International Illustration Center retains some 14.000 drawings that the artist gave to his hometown.2, avenue de la Marseillaise.

7/ The cathedral platform

At the end of the 330 steps of a spiral staircase, we access the platform of this millennial building perched at 66 meters above sea level: a breathtaking view of the city roofs rewards the ascent.South side access to the cathedral.

8/ Bistrot and chocolate

A desire for sweets?Fall for a hot chocolate Manjari or Cuzco - great vintages From Madagascar or Peru -, an organic tea, or a gourmet snack because here, everything is delicious.8, rue de la Grape.

9/ The Pontonniers high school

With its fantastic turrets, its neo -Gothic bell and its stands overlooking the canal, the most beautiful high school in France with Hogwarts is worth the detour.1, rue des Pontonniers.

10/ Rohan Palace

This 18th century masterpiece built for the Cardinal Armand-Gaston de Rohan, houses the exceptional collections of the Archeology Museum, Fine Arts, and Decorative Arts.2, Place du Château.

Strasbourg: 10 places to discover in the heart of the Big Island

Navigate from channels to river

Traveled by 320 km of canals and rivers, bordered by the Rhine, the Strasbourg metropolis is also discovered From the banks and on the waves.

Water walks

Impossible to miss them: tourist ships are so successful that you will necessarily come across them on the Ill.If several commented walking themes are offered, the classic “20 centuries of history”, which lasts 1h10 (full price 14 €), is essential: Grande Ile, Neustadt, European institution, it is a condensed heritage andHistory available to you.Note another exciting circuit called “Strasbourg-sur-Mer” (full price € 17.40).It will take you to the autonomous port of the city, 2nd river port in France, a site unknown to many Strasbourgers and whose visit is really the detour.Batorama, Place de la Cathedral store, and Batorama.com.

Navigate

It will take a few months to indulge in the joys of the independent harbor master's office.The regulations do not allow the navigation of small electric boats without a license between the months of November and March, current and flow of water making the activity too dangerous.However From the beginnings of spring, thanks to Marin d'Eau (Marindoudouce.FR) and Captain Bretzel (Captain Bretzel.eu), you can control boats of 5 to 11 places (From € 40/ hour).

Sportsmen, to your trains!

From April to September Browsez Strasbourg at La Rame, praising a kayak or a canoe.In 2h30 on the water, you will adopt another point of view on the metropolis with the exceptional biodiversity.If you are lucky, you will observe the Cormorants, Martin Fishermen, Swans, Herons, Ragondins ... Info: Strasbourgauxvives.Org and 03 88 31 49 00

Cross the rhine

Take the time to get out of the city center to go and discover the Rhine.His passage on the "Passerelle des Deux Rives" is as soothing as they are impressive.This natural border with Germany is now erased since line D of the tram also crosses the river.In a few minutes, you will be again in the historic center.

Good plan

The Strasbourg Pass is a valid checkbook valid for 3 days which allows you to benefit From Free services (a museum of your choice, a walk by boat walk in particular) and several reductions.€ 22 per adult, at the Strasbourg Tourist Office.

Move to Strasbourg

To take advantage of the 670 km of slopes in the first cycle city in France, rent a bike From Vel’Hop (€ 6/day).Note the city is equipped with a very effective public transport network, in particular thanks to the tram which leads you to Germany.

Discover Alsatian culture

Very alive, the regional tradition generously opens to curious visitors.Here are our essentials for an immersive bath.

The Alsatian museum

If only for its building, the Alsatian museum is worth the detour.It is installed in old Strasbourg residences, connected to each other by passageways and wooden stairs.Open to the public in 1907, the collection allows you to discover traditional know-how, local and religious beliefs and traditions, and above all to have an overview of domestic life in the intimacy of the families of the 19th century thanks to the reconstructionof a bedroom, a stube (the living room), a kitchen...Painted furniture, polychrome ceramics, games and toys and above all a wide variety of costumes which differ according to eras, places and religions.

23-25, Quai Saint Nicolas.Phone.: 03 88 52 50 00.Open TLJ except Tuesday.

Traditional costumes

Founded in 1825, Maison Bosset made Alsatian costumes tailor.Fabrics, ribbons, lace or buttons...We marvel at the choice of subjects and the exceptional knowledge of Anne Wolff who heads the establishment.Note: the store also offers a selection of contemporary clothes and fashion accessories made in Alsace.

15, rue des Bouchers.Such.: 03 88 32 28 47.

Clothing decryption

Carried at the end of the 19th century in the country of Hanau (around Strasbourg), the most famous female attire consisted:

Do you speak Alsatian?

Every Tuesday evening at 6 p.m., come and introduce yourself to the Alsatian at the Troquet of the Kneckeries (Garfs in Dialect).And if you don't have the tongue bumps, you can always enjoy local specialties.

112, big street.Phone.: 03 88 22 57 45.

Marvel during the holidays

Sweet or savory sweets, spice scent and magical decorations over the city: the oldest Christmas market in France delights young and old.

Once upon a time the Christmas market

Christkindelsmärik, or "Child Jesus market", is the name of the traditional Strasbourg Christmas market.Born in 1570, it was originally located around the cathedral, and spreads today in several places.Other Strasbourg tradition: the decorated tree.According to a text of 1605, for Christmas, it was customary in Strasbourg to raise fir trees in houses: we attach paper roses of various colors, apples and various treats.Having become a symbol of the Christmas market, the big tree in Place Kléber is the highest natural tree decorated in Europe (over 30 m!).

Do not miss

- In the nave of Notre-Dame Cathedral, we can admire the great crèche of 1907 and especially the 14 tapestries of the Virgin dating From the 17th century, which are only exposed during the 4 weeks preceding Christmas.

- From November 26, a dozen markets are scattered through the city totaling more than 300 chalets.This is an opportunity to shop with small Alsatian producers, at the Alsace Christmas Delights Market, or in the Golden Carré, Place du Temple Neuf, and to discover the best of the local craftsman.

Detailed markets and info: Christmas.Strasbourg.eu

Follow the leader !

To find the nuggets on the Christmas market, follow one of the three dedicated visits to the tourist office.

@Justink7779 @REPADAMSCHIFF LOL.Nyet (i don’t know How to say no in Chinese) Just A Resident of Arizona for Over 60 Years.Ical

— Judie Bradshaw ☮️💙✌🏻 Thu Dec 10 02:42:14 +0000 2020

- The "Christmas course" reveals the history and the traditions of Christmas in Strasbourg and Alsace, From tree to culinary specialties and traditional crafts in illuminations.

- The "night ride in the illuminated city" reveals the city, its magical heritage in Christmas colors and From one place to the other the treasures that chalets contain.

- "Discovering Strasbourg with the family" (From 6 years old) lifts the veil on the city with lots of details and unusual anecdotes.

www.visitStrasbourg.Fr

Christmas delicacies

The Bredele, or "Christmas cupcakes", are traditionally made for the holiday season.From cinnamon stars to schwowedbredele, suckled shortbread so -called advent, there is a string of recipes transmitted From generation to generation.You can buy them at the Christmas market, or do them yourself.To vary the forms, go to the Véra Walter chalet which offers more than 800 cookie cutters.

The reinvented tradition

"Gingerbread is an inseparable tradition of Christmas markets, it has long been consumed exclusively during the Advent period.Christmas is the perfumes of spices, in mulled wine and pastries.Gingerbread has been, since 1933, a family know-how that I pamper, respect and enriched according to my trips. À côté de l’incontournable pain aux 7 épices, du pain d’Amour aux figues dattes et pistaches, ou du pain de Soleil aux bananes séchées amandes et vieux rhum, ma dernière création est le pain des Anges au miel de fleurs d'oranger et au Dom Pacello Royal Orange, une délicate liqueur de Fruits de la distillerie Massenez.»»

Thanks to Mireille Oster, specialist in gingerbread14, rue des Dentelles and on the Christmas market.Such.: 03 88 32 33 34.Mireille Oster.com

Feast on the table or on the go

With its culinary, traditional or revisited specialties, its beers and its regional wines, Strasbourg has something to delight the taste buds.A selection of delights not to be missed.

On the spot

Share a flambé pie

At the Binchstub Broglie, enjoy flambé pies, or flammenküche, alternating traditional-onion, gratin, munster, or less classic compositions as goat, thyme and honey.The icing on the cake: the products come From the surrounding farms. 28, impasse de l'écrevisse,Such.: 09 82 35 50 30

Savor a fish caper

Emblematic specialty of the Kammerzell house (classified as a historic monument) created by Guy-Pierre Baumann, La Choucroute aux Trois Pisons-Poutan, Salmon and Haddock-is a treat.Admire in passing the magnificent decorations painted in 1904-1905, works by artist Léo Schnug.Cathedral square.Such.: 03 88 32 42 14

Steer in a Winstub

Pour s’immerger dans la culture locale, optez pour une winstub – bar à vins alsacien, où l’on sert des mets régionaux –, sans se laisser dérouter par les noms tels spätzle (pâtes traditionnelles), presskopf « tête pressée»», de porc le plus souvent, ou bibeleskæs, plat à base de Fromage blanc.Starting for the taste adventure?Go to the bacon head.3, Hannong Street.Such.: 03 88 32 13 56

To take away

Bite a bretzel

Between Petite France and Place de la Cathedral, stop at the Woerlé bakery for a Bretzel, salted pastry in the shape of a knot.It can be enjoyed by walking through the city, to taste it, or for the aperitif with a glass of wine or a good Alsace beer.10, rue de la Division Leclerc.Such.: 03 88 15 19 30

Snag

Typically Alsatian, the Kouglof is a high -fledged -shaped brioche cooked in a traditional terracotta mold.He appreciates sweets embellished with raisins and decorated with almonds, or salty with bacon or nuts, ideal for the aperitif.There are delicious in particular at Thierry Mulhaupt.18, rue du Vieux Marché au Poissons.Such.03 88 23 15 02

Drink local beers and wines

Bar and wine cellar, Alsace to drink offers some 170 references of local wines, more than 70 in biodynamics and forty in organic cultivation, as well as a Kyrielle of craft and original beers.Saturdays, you can even meet winegrowers or brewers.14, rue du 22 November.Such.: 03 90 00 21 61

Strasbourg, capital of foie gras?

The story was born around 1780: Jean-Pierre Clause, cook of the marshal of Contades, developed the recipe for the pâté of foie gras of Strasbourg, or pâté clause.At the beginning of the 20th century, around sixty producers worked in town, including the Bruck foie gras factory.Founded in 1852, this family manufacture continues to perpetuate tradition for five generations.Such.: 03 88 32 00 04.www.Gras Bruck-Foie.com

Admire the cathedral

All in sandstone lace From the Vosges, this Gothic jewel culminates at 142 m in height.Each visit reveals new treasures, here are five essentials.

1/ The rosette

Exceptional by its format (7 m of radius), it is above the large doors of the west facade.It also has the particularity of breaking down in 16 petals, when there are 12 in most other cathedrals.A real jewel of colorful glass, carrying many theological symbolics.

2/ The astronomical clock

If its structure and decorations go back to Renaissance, the current mechanism dates From 1842.The lower part gives astronomical indications.In the center, the time is indicated by a double pair of needles: silver for the time national, and golden for the local solar.The highlight of the whole is the automata game.Every day at 12:30 p.m. he comes alive: the apostles parade in Front of Christ, while the rooster sings and beats wings three times.A show not to be missed.

3/ The Grand Organ

Hanging in a swallow nest in the nave, the instrument and its buffet have been classified as a historic monument since 1975.Completely deposited, restored and granted 6 years ago, the object is as famous for its sound as for the ornamentation of its woodwork and its play of three animated wood sculptures (admire Samson who opens and closes the lion's mouth...) that the musician activated From the instrument pedals.

4/ The pillar of angels

12 characters larger than life coexist around this pillar which starts at 18 m in height in the southern transept.Masterpiece of the 1200 style, he represents the 4 evangelists, surmounted by 4 musician angels whose trumpets call for the rally for the judgment of souls.At the top is the figure of Christ surrounded by 3 angels.The delicacy of the poses, the finesse of the pleated and the originality of the treatment of this theme have no equivalent in France.

5/ The preacher's chair

Cette dentelle de pierre a été réalisée en 1485 pour accueillir les prêches de Jean Geiler de Kaysersberg, dont les sermons très réputés dépassaient les Frontières de l'Alsace.Passion is the central theme, but it is another detail that made popular work.At the foot of the balustrade, a small dog wisely awaits his master.Traditional lucky charm, it was caressed by visitors for centuries, until they were worn and blackened.

Get lost in medieval alleys

At the heart of the Grande-Île, near the cathedral and in small France, a maze of streets and alleys nestles and some nuggets that go back to the Middle Ages.

From the Vauban dam terrace, we discover the profile of the old town.Among the roofs of the Grande-Île, the historic nucleus of the city surrounded by two arms of water, emerges the Gothic cathedral, and in the foreground the towers of the bridges covered.These are the vestiges of the medieval enclosure built in the 13th century.The best way to discover this part of the city called little France?Stroll on foot in this old district of tanners and millers.Do not miss the rue du Bain-aux-Plantes with, at 42, the picturesque house of tanners.

Go to the cathedral place to discover the impressive Kammerzell house at 16.The renowned brasserie, with its stages in ornate wood, combined Gothic and Germanic Renaissance. Depuis la place du Château, on peut contempler un florilège de styles : la maison de l’Œuvre Notre-Dame ofFre une superbe façade gothique, elle voisine avec le palais Rohan, témoignage du XVIIIe siècle Français, ainsi qu’avec un édifice du XIXe siècle qui abrite le 5e Lieu.

La bonne idée : rendez-vous au 5e Lieu, un centre de ressources et d'exposition consacré à l’architecture et au patrimoine Strasbourgeois.5elieu.Strasbourg.EU 5 Place du Château, Tuesday to Saturday From 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday From 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Explore the modern Neustadt

La « Neustadt»», nouvelle ville, a été édifiée après l’annexion de l’Alsace-Lorraine à l’Empire allemand, entre 1870 et 1918.Vitrine of the Germanic Empire, it conceals beautiful testimonies of the quality of German architecture.

To the northeast of the Grande-Île, the Place de la République, is the link between the old town and the Neustadt.Here stands the ex-imperial residence inaugurated by the emperor Guillaume II.Current Palais du Rhin, it houses the Central Commission for the navigation of the Rhine and the Drac Grand Est.Built between 1884 and 1889 in a Germanic neo-Renaissance style, it is the work of the architect Hermann Eggert.This siege of power was raised opposite the headquarters of knowledge, the university palace.In place, magnificent Ginkgo Biloba has flourished since the end of the 19th century, they had been offered by the Emperor of Japan in Guillaume II.

Avenue de la Liberté, an imperial axis, leads to the place of the university where the university palace sits.This neo-Renaissance building was designed between 1879 and 1884 by the architect Otto Warth.Writing the rich collections of the Imperial University, it houses a statue of Ramses II, colossus of 3 tonnes, and on the ground floor an impressive set of casts of ancient sculptures.At the back of the palace, a stop in the botanical garden is essential (open in the afternoon only).

Visit the contemporary European district

Cap in the North, avenue de l'Europe.At the height of the Orangery Park, stands a solid square building, the Palais de l'Europe, and on the other side of the Ill a circular building: the European Parliament.

Symbol of the reconciliation of nations after the Second World War, the Council of Europe is the oldest European institution.He held his first session at the University Palace in 1949.The current building, the Palais de l'Europe, was designed by architect Henry Bernard and inaugurated in 1977.This institution, the main human rights organization of the continent, extends over five other buildings in the neighborhood.Reservation visits: 03 88 41 20 29 or visits@coe.int

Parliamentary body of the European Union, the European Parliament has its official headquarters in Strasbourg.In its elegant glass building inaugurated in 1999, European deputies debate and vote, during plenary sessions, European laws intended for citizens of the 27 Member States.Before 1999, the sessions took place in the hemicycle of the Palais de l'Europe.Free visits with audioguide allow access to the hemicycle and parlamentarium, interactive space Simone Veil.

Notify the unusual details

Tour à tour allemande ou Française, l’histoire de la cité Frontalière est ponctuée d’anecdotes à la portée humaniste.Here are some of the most famous.

Cradle of modern printing

In the place that bears his name, a bronze sculpture of Gutenberg, recalls that it was in Strasbourg in the middle of the 15th century, that the inventor developed the printing of mobile characters.His first Bibles, the most precious incunabases, were printed here in 1454.The success was immediate, because at the end of the century the city had more than a dozen printing works.

The oldest white wine in the world

For more than 600 years, wine was drawn up under the Strasbourg hospital.Restored and furnished, the historic cellar is now open to the visit.You can discover around fifty old -fashioned and used old cellars, in which ages meticulously chosen cuvées age.But the highlight of the show are the three oldest wrath, protected by a grid.One of them dated 1472 contains 300 liters of the oldest wine in the world in barrels.vins-des-hospices-de-Strasbourg.Fr

The Marseillaise is Alsatian

Commandée en 1792 par le maire de Strasbourg pour soutenir l’armée du Rhin combattant les ennemis de la Révolution Française, le chant de guerre composé par Rouget de Lisle est devenu hymne national Français en 1879.Its tumultuous history and the many symbols that the Marseillaise has conveyed since is at the heart of an exciting exhibition which is held at the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in Strasbourg until February 20, 2022.

War shells of 1870

Durant la guerre Franco-prussienne de 1870, le siège qui débuta pendant l’été fit vivre 46 jours de terreur aux Strasbourgeois.Nearly 200.000 destructive shells fell on the city.When the time of reconstruction came the residents included shells in the new facades as a sign of memory.We see one at the corner of the Cathedral Hotel.

A piece of the Berlin Wall

Dans les jardins de la Cour Européenne des Droits de l’Homme, on peut découvrir quatre pans maçonnés, vestiges de l’ancienne Frontière Berlinoise tombée la nuit du 9 novembre 1989.A strong symbol of heartbreak and reconciliation, near an emblematic institution.Note, this historical relic can be observed from outside the enclosure, the Palais des Rights de l'Homme remaining inaccessible to the public for health reasons.

Retrouvez la suite de cet article et bien d'autres sujets pour s'évader et découvrir nos régions Françaises dans le nouveau magazine Femme Actuelle Escapades n° 3, en kiosque dès le 8 novembre 2021.

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