The northeastern city of Strasbourg, classified as an UNESCO world heritage site, is linked to Paris by a 2h20mn high-speed train ride and well worth a visit. Along with being one of the capitals of the European Union, this city is a hybrid of German and French flavours which reflect the tug-of-war over ownership that France and Germany fought for years.
The first place visitors flock to is the Notre Dame Cathedral, one of the most beautiful gothic cathedrals in Europe. The cathedral’s showpiece is the astronomical clock built in the 14th century. The story goes that the creator of this masterpiece was a little “too” successful and the higher-ups had him blinded so he would never again build something so beautiful. Be sure to be at the cathedral at 12:30PM so you can see the clock’s mechanical figures’ “performance”. If you come to Strasbourg during the Christmas season, the annual Christmas market, one of the oldest in Europe, takes place in the square in front of the cathedral. If you are here during the summer holidays, there is usually an organ concert going on in the evening.
Another popular attraction is the charming La Petite France district in the Old Town, which once was the home of fishermen, tanners and millers. Here visitors can admire the split-timbered houses from the Middle Ages with their flower-filled window boxes. Be sure to notice the window-scheme on the top levels; the open-window structure allowed tanners to dry their hides in these spaces. La Petite France now features loads of great bakeries serving up the traditional warm gingerbread in this area; do stop to try one of these local treats.
Strasbourg is home to some world-class cuisine. La Maison Tanneur is one of its most famous restaurants. In this former tannery, you may enjoy some foie gras as you admire the beamed architecture of this amazing 16th-century building. Other Strasbourg specialities include charcuterie such as bratwurst, terrines, and sausages; choucroute and white wines; beer and large savoury pretzels.
There are walking tours of Strasbourg, but a great way to get an overview of the city is with a canal boat ride. There are several companies which offer these tours, leaving from La Petite France neighbourhood. The boats are protected from bad weather by a glass roof so they are in service year round, and there is a multi-lingual commentary. The trip lasts about an hour, takes you past the European Parliament and through the city centre. You will even pass through a lock!
A terrific way to get a sense of this region’s history is by visiting the Musée Alsacien (23 – 25, quai Saint-Nicolas). Originally a series of bourgeois homes, this museum houses an interesting collection of folklore artifacts which tell the story of everyday rural life in the Alsace region, dating back to the 7th century. Furniture, toys, crafts, clothing and religious icons are on display.
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