Strasbourg

Strasbourg Travel Guide

• About Strasbourg

Set on the Franco-German border, and at various times a part of both countries, Strasbourg has more claim than most to be the symbolic heart of modern Europe. Over the centuries, the culture of the city and of the entire Alsace region has been shaped by Germany as much as by France. The result is a fascinating blend of influences on everything from the architecture and cultural scene to the language and food. And despite past hostilities, Alsace thrives thanks to the strong collaborative links between the two countries. The most potent symbol of this is the Jardin des Deux Rives just east of Strasbourg, an international 60-hectare (148-acre) garden straddling the border and the Rhine, linked by a friendship bridge. Today, Strasbourg mixes medieval charm with a dynamic, contemporary and international feel. At its heart is Grand Île, a UNESCO World Heritage-listed island in the River Ill. It’s a fortified medieval town packed with ancient relics, from Place Kléber (the main square) to Place Gutenberg. This area is lively throughout the year, from the warm summer months when everyone congregates on the café terraces, to December, when stallholders sell Glühwein and festive handicrafts at Christmas markets. At the centre of the island, soaring over everything, is the Gothic Notre-Dame Cathedral, notable for its pink sandstone façade and unique tower. And nearby La Petite France is the medieval quarter’s stunning crown jewel. Its picturesque bridges and canals, half-timbered houses and charming narrow streets contrast sharply with the modern clean-cut lines of the European institutions in the northeast of the city. Culturally, Strasbourg has an Opera House, National Theatre and a Conservatory of Music, and hosts various music and cinema festivals. Academically, it has one of France’s largest universities, with more than 42,000 students, while environmentally it welcomes cyclists and pedestrians alike, and has an extensive public transport network. That network extends well beyond the urban area, and TGV high-speed trains connect Strasbourg to other cities across Europe, reaffirming its pivotal role as a capital of Europe, and a guardian of human rights.

• Strasbourg History

Strasbourg, or ‘the town at the crossroads’, has always occupied a strategic position in >Europe. Originally a Roman camp called Argentoratum, it served as a defensive fort. The streets of this small, fortified area built on a marshy island on the Ill river would later become the city of Strasbourg. Strasbourg became a free city of the Germanic Holy Roman Empire and, behind its fortified walls, power gravitated around the emblematic Pfalz, or town hall. Strasbourg was annexed to France in 1681 as Louis XV realised its strategic importance. The 18th century witnessed the start of a burgeoning court of nobles and wealthy bourgeois, who built numerous mansions such as those in rue Brûlée and rue de la Nuée Bleue. The French Revolution in 1792 left the city in a terrible state; many churches and cloisters were destroyed or damaged. However, after 1830, Strasbourg consolidated its position as a major European crossroads and began to modernise. With the growth of industry, the city’s population tripled in the 19th century. The sewage system was built, streets were paved, and the Rhone-Rhine Canal and Marais-Vert railway station opened. In 1871, after the Franco-Prussian war, Strasbourg was annexed to the newly established German Empire. The city was rebuilt and developed on a grand scale (the Neue Stadt or ‘new city’). Strasbourg returned to France after WWI. The war had not notably damaged the city and between the two wars, Strasbourg continued to prosper. But after the German invasion of Poland in September 1939, the entire city was evacuated. With the Fall of France in June 1940, Alsace was annexed to Germany. After liberation in 1944, Alsace was returned to France and Strasbourg became the symbol of reconciliation between France and Germany. Strasbourg is now the seat of several European institutions including the Council of Europe, the European Court of Human Rights and the European Parliament.

• Did you know?

‘La Marseillaise’ was composed in Strasbourg in 1792. Strasbourg’s historic centre was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1988. Strasbourg Cathedral celebrated its 1,000th birthday in 2015.

• Weather in Strasbourg

Due to its location in the Alsace plain, Strasbourg has continental climates, ranging from very cold with snow in the winter to warm and hot in the summer. Spring and autumn are the best times to visit Strasbourg as, like in many cities, tourists can benefit from outdoor activities and navigate through town on a bike. Temperatures are close to freezing in the winter, and can cause disruptions on the roads. However, December and the run up to Christmas are also magical times to visit the city when its Christmas market opens.

Things to see in Strasbourg

Attractions

• Musée d’Art Moderne et Contemporain (Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art)

This museum, with its glass facade looking out onto the quayside, is an ultra-modern addition to Strasbourg’s buildings and contrasts sharply with neighbouring Petite France. The impressive permanent collection of paintings from the 1860s to the 1950s includes work by Monet, Signac, Arp, Picasso, Magritte and Klimt. From the 1950s to the present day, Brecht, Filliou, Pérez and Manetas are represented. There is also an art library, concert hall and restaurant. Address: 1 place Hans-Jean Arp, Strasbourg. Telephone: +33 3 6898 5000 Opening times: Tue-Sun 10:00-18:00. Website: www.musees.strasbourg.eu Admission Fees: Yes Disabled Access: Yes UNESCO: No

• Cathédrale Notre-Dame (Notre Dame Cathedral)

Considered the world’s tallest building from 1647 to 1874, and still the sixth tallest church today, this richly decorated gothic masterpiece of pink-tinted Vosges sandstone stands proud with its steeple reaching 142m (466ft) which is visible far across the plains of Alsace. Highlights include the intricate west facade with its three portals; the Eglise and Synagogue statues (the originals are located at the Musée de l’Oeuvre Notre-Dame); and the remarkable Renaissance (Horloge Astronomique  Astronomical Clock), one of the world’s largest clocks, which chimes at 1230 daily, as the Apostles parade before Jesus. The outstanding views of the city from the top platform are well worth the 330 arduous steps. Address: 12 place de la Cathédrale, Strasbourg. Telephone: +33 3 8821 4334 Opening times: Daily 08:30-17:45. Website: www.cathedrale-strasbourg.fr Admission Fees: No (except roof platform). Disabled Access: No UNESCO: Yes

• Palais Rohan (Rohan Palace)

This 18th-century baroque ‘mini-Versailles’ was built as a residence for the city’s French bishops, four of whom were members of the Rohan family. The château houses three important museums and a gallery. The basement is devoted to the Musée Archéologique covering the period from the Palaeolithic Age to AD800. The Musée des Arts Décoratifs, located on the ground floor, comprises the luxurious apartments of the clergy of Rohan (used as guesthouses by Louis XV and Marie-Antoinette), and a collection of Strasbourgeois clocks and china. The Musée des Beaux Arts, on the first floor, displays European paintings from the Middle Ages to 1870. Address: 2 place du Château, Strasbourg. Telephone: +33 3 6898 5000 Opening times: Daily 10:00-18:00 (closed Tue). Website: www.musees-strasbourg.org Admission Fees: Yes Disabled Access: Yes UNESCO: Yes

• Musée de l’Oeuvre Notre-Dame (Notre-Dame Museum)

The original pair of statues of Eglise (a symbol of the victorious Church) and the blindfolded, defeated Synagogue (representing Judaism), are the main treasures of this museum. Other highlights include the Tête du Christ (Head of Christ), part of a stained-glass window from the mid-11th century, the sculptures of Nicolas Gerhaert de Leyde and the still-life paintings by Sébastien Stoskopff. This rich collection of Romanesque, gothic and Renaissance sculptures, furniture and tapestries extends over three floors of 14th- and 16th-century buildings. Address: 3 place du Château, Strasbourg. Telephone: +33 3 6898 5000 Opening times: Tue-Sun 10:00-18:00. Website: www.musees.strasbourg.eu Admission Fees: Yes Disabled Access: Yes UNESCO: No

• Musée Zoologique (Zoological Museum)

Close to the university campus, this 18th century building is home to an impressive collection of various elements from Jean Hermann’s Gallery of Natural History, which is one of France’s richest. With pieces from the Arctic to the Antarctic, the museum showcases myriads of birds, insects and mammals that transfer old and young to imaginary worlds within the animal kingdom. Address: 29 boulevard de la Victoire, Strasbourg. Telephone: +33 3 6898 5160 Opening times: Mon, Wed, Thurs and Fri 12:00-18:00. Website: www.musees.strasbourg.eu Admission Fees: Yes Disabled Access: Yes UNESCO: No

• Musée Tomi Ungerer/Centre international de l’illustration

A recent addition to Strasbourg’s impressive list of museums is the Tomi Ungerer Museum/Centre international de l’illustration located in the former Villa Greiner. The space is dedicated to the works of Strasbourg-born artist Tomi Ungerer and displays 800 pieces, from children’s books to political caricatures and satirical cartoons. This museum offers a fresh alternative to art and provides insight into one of Strasbourg’s best-known figures. Address: 2 avenue de la Marseillaise, Strasbourg. Telephone: +33 3 6898 5000 Opening times: Tue-Sun 10:00-18:00. Website: www.tomiungerer.com Admission Fees: Yes Disabled Access: Yes UNESCO: No

• Musée Alsacien (Alsace Museum)

This intriguing museum of Alsatian history is housed in three 16th- and 17th-century buildings. The very varied collection illustrates pre-industrial Alsace and includes a collection of artefacts such as furniture, toys and fascinating Jewish and Christian worship items. Address: 23-25 quai Saint Nicolas, Strasbourg. Telephone: +33 3 6898 5152 Opening times: Daily 10:00-18:00. Website: www.musee-strasbourg.org Admission Fees: Yes Disabled Access: Yes UNESCO: No

• Parc de Pourtalès

In the 19th century, Countess Mélanie de Pourtalès hosted her high society guests in the beautiful château situated at the heart of this 24-hectare (59-acre) park. Contemporary sculptures are featured throughout the gardens and blend into the landscape. Claudio Parmiggiani’s “La Forêt Regarde et Ecoute” (The Forest Watches and Listens) consists of bronze ears grafted on to tree trunks. These are cleverly fused with the piece’s natural surroundings and give a magical feel to the garden and château. With its 25 rooms, the beautiful château welcomes guests in a grandiose setting. Address: Rue Mélanie, Strasbourg. Telephone: +33 3 8852 2828 Opening times: Wed-Sun 14:00-20:00 Website: www.Pourtalesplage.eu Admission Fees: No Disabled Access: Yes UNESCO: No

• Parc de l’Orangerie

Located opposite the Palais de l’Europe, the Parc de l’Orangerie is the largest and oldest park in the city and is home to many stalks, the symbol of Strasbourg. The beautiful Pavilion Josephine, built in honour of Empress Josephine in 1804 hosts numerous events and exhibitions and is surrounded by stunning gardens and century old trees. The park offers punting in the summer, and has a zoo, a mini-farm and bowling alley – ideal for family days out. Address: Avenue de l’Europe, Strasbourg. Telephone: +33 3 8836 5253 Opening times: Daily 07:00-20:00 Website: www.strasbourg.eu Admission Fees: No Disabled Access: Yes UNESCO: No

Tourist Offices

• Office du Tourisme (Tourist Office)

Address: 17 place de la Cathédrale, Strasbourg. Telephone:+33 3 8852 2828 Opening times: Daily 09:00-19:00. Website: www.otstrasbourg.fr

Tourist passes

You can buy a Strasbourg-Pass at the tourist office and in hotels. Valid for three days, the pass offers free entries and discounts to museums and attractions.

• The Passe des Musées du Rhin Supérieur

Telephone: +33 3 8852 5000 Website: www.museumspass.com   allows free access to 190 museums in the area of Rhin Supérieur, including Strasbourg. You can buy the pass online or at any participating museum and access all the listed museums. As in many French cities, Strasbourg’s museums offer free admission on the first Sunday of every month.

Things to do in Strasbourg

• Explore the oldest wine route in France

Strasbourg is the starting point for France’s oldest wine route, Vins d’Alsace. Although Riesling remains the region’s most revered refreshment, the vineyards stretching 170km (106 miles) south also produce some great reds. If wine is your thing. Ophorus Telephone: +33 633 051 009 Website: www.ophorus.com    can help you uncork the best in the region.

• Follow the Fortress trail on two wheels

Home to the largest cycle network in France, the best way to enjoy Strasbourg is on two wheels. Vélhop Telephone: +33 969 393 667 website: www.velhop.strasbourg.eu The city’s rental scheme, makes it easy to get in the saddle whilst routes such as the Fortress Cycle trail are flat, well marked and ideal for sightseeing and a picnic lunch.

• Strap on some snowshoes for a winter hike

Usually, winter in France means only one thing: skiing. But Strasbourg’s proximity to the Black Forest Mountains offers a less crowded way to enjoy the glistening landscape. Snowshoe walks are gaining in popularity; local ski shops offer maps and shoe rental whilst bright pink signposts guide you on the hike.

• Tour the city in a classic 2CV car

One of the chicest ways to see Strasbourg is by: chauffeur-driven 2CV Telephone: +33 663 693 375 Website: www.love2cv.com Drop the soft-top and take a tour in a classic Citroën car past the cathedral and European Parliament before bouncing through the historic Old Town. Longer trips cross into Germany and include a picnic and a stop for wine.

• Try your hand at Tarte Flambée

The essence of Alsace can be found among the tilted half-timber frames of Strasbourg’s Old Town, where almost every tavern will have tarteflambee (bacon and onion tart) on their menu. Once you get a taste for it, try making it yourself. Food & City Tours Website: www.strasbourgfoodtours.com  offer cookery classes in a traditional Winstub (wine lounge).

Strasbourg tours and excursions

Strasbourg tours

• Boat tours

The Service Touristique du Port Autonome de Strasbourg, 15 rue de Nantes, organises a 70-minute cruise along the Ill, through the old quarters, towards the EU quarter and back, with multilingual guides. The boat Batorama departs every half-hour between 0930 and 2100 from March to November (less frequently in the winter) and is either covered or open. Tours depart from Palais Rohan pier, place du Marché aux Poissons. Telephone: +33 3 8884 1313 Website: www.batorama.fr Tram tours CTS Operates a mini tram sightseeing service, with multilingual guides. The tour lasts 50 minutes and departs from the place du Château, passing La Petite France and the Cathedral. The tourist office has details of a variety of other city tours, including tours by Segway (weather permitting) or with a coachman and horses when the Christmas market in on during the month of December. Telephone: +33 3 8877 7070 Website: www.tram-citytour.fr

• Walking tours

Strasbourg is an ideal size to be covered on foot; trips around the cathedral (particularly at night) and the Petite France are very rewarding. The lush, grassy banks of the Ill and the Fossé du Faux-Rempart canal provide views of all the major sights. Audio-guided tours of the city centre lasting 90 minutes  are available in French, English, German, Italian and Spanish from the tourist office, 17 place de la Cathédrale, between 0900 and 1900. A deposit or ID is required. The tourist office also organises French language guided tours that cover the Cathedral and Petite France, also lasting about 90 minutes. Although Strasbourg is pedestrian and cyclist friendly, the access to certain parking areas in the centre of town calls for motorists to cross over pavements and cycle lanes –be wary. Telephone: +33 3 8852 2828 Website: www.otstrasbourg.fr

Strasbourg excursions

• Obernai

Obernai, located 30km (19 miles) from Strasbourg, provides a nice alternative to the villages in the Alsace plain and lies on the eastern slopes of the Vosges mountains. Like other neighbouring towns, Obernai is important for its wine, but also for its beer production. The village offers a picturesque medieval style and the centre square is a good starting point to make a circuit around traditional restaurants, markets and parks. Telephone: +33 3 8895 6413 Website: www.obernai.fr

• Château du Haut-Koenigsbourg

This impressive castle and central courtyard, including its armoury and canons, will allow any visitor to step back into the Middle-Ages and provide an insight into a 15th century mountain fortress. The castle was abandoned after 1633, then in 1899 was handed over to Kaiser Willheim II who commissioned major renovation work. The site is one of the symbols of Alsatian heritage and offers breathtaking views over the Alsace plain, the Vosges mountains and the Black Forest. Individual and group tours as well as workshops can be organised. Educational and recreational, this makes for a great day out for families. The castle is 65km (40 miles) away from Strasbourg and is accessible by car. Telephone: +33 3 6933 2500 Website: www.haut-koenigsbourg.fr

• Molsheim and the Route des Vins

The Route des Vins extends from Marlenheim, west of Strasbourg, to Thann, close to Mulhouse, offering opportunities for free tastings and summer wine festivals. Molsheim is one of the largest towns on the itinerary, less than 30km (19 miles) southwest of Strasbourg – a 30-minute train journey. Its attractions, in addition to wine, include the medieval fortifications, the Porte des Forgerons (Blacksmiths’ Gate), the 16th-century Metzig and the Eglise des Jésuites (an impressive gothic church). Molsheim Tourist Office, 19 place de l’Hôtel de Ville, can provide further information. Telephone: +33 3 8838 1161 Website: www.ot-molsheim-mutzig.com

• Colmar

The capital of the Haut-Rhin, 70km (43 miles) south of Strasbourg, Colmar is known for its exceptionally picturesque and quaint Old Town and its dry wines (celebrated in the annual wine festival, Foire aux Vins). It is also home to the Rétable d’Issenheim (Issenheim Altarpiece), painted by Mathias Grünewald, between 1512 and 1516, for St Anthony’s monastery and displayed at the Musée d’Unterlinden, 1 rue d’Unterlinden. Colmar is a 40-minute train journey from Strasbourg. Telephone: +33 3 8920 6892 Website: www.ot-colmar.fr

Shopping in Strasbourg

There is a wide range of shopping opportunities in Strasbourg, ranging from colourful markets to shopping malls.

• Key areas

Fine fashion and retail items, leather goods, jewellery shops and gourmet caterers can be found along rue des Orfèvres and rue de la Mésange, where brands like Cartier, Gucci and Hermès all have a store. Other high-end outlets such as Kenzo and Georges Rech can be found in rue des Hallebardes and rue du Vieux-Marché-aux-Poissons. For a more traditional take on fashion, customary Alsatian dresses and robes can be bought or hired at Costume Alsacien, 11b quai de Turckheim. For year-round Christmas fans, Un Noël en Alsace, 10 rue des Dentelles, sells Christmas decorations whatever the season whilst hat lovers should head for designer milliner Chapellerie Medernach, 24 place de la Cathédrale. All around the cathedral and neighbourhood of the Petite France, little souvenir shops sell local potteries and stuffed toys in the shape of the symbolic stalk. Alsatian specialities at Edouard Artzner, 7 rue de la Mésange, include Strasbourg goose, duck foie gras and Alsatian wines. René Tourette’s cheese shop, La Cloche à Fromage, 27 rue des Tonneliers, is well worth a visit, as is Kirn, a local delicatessen shop with patés and typical meals, all ready to go, on 19 rue du 22 novembre.

• Markets

The Tourist Office provides a brochure on Strasbourg’s local markets, mainly held Tuesday to Saturday 07:00-13:00. The seasonal Christkindelsmärik (Christmas Market) takes place from late November to 24 December in and around place Broglie and rue de la Comédie, and until 31 December at place de la Cathédrale and rue des Hallebardes. This traditional Christmas market dates back to the 16th century and serves anything from vin chaud (mulled wine) to santons (clay figurines), toys and gourmet delicacies. The more traditional and quaint Christmas markets of Colmar and Kaysersberg (75km/46miles and 80km/49 miles from Strasbourg respectively) are well worth the visit.

• Shopping centres

The central Place des Halles, at 24 place des Halles is Strasbourg’s main commercial shopping centre (open Monday to Saturday 09:00-20:00), with more than 120 shops, as well as 10 restaurants and bars. The two main department stores – Galeries Lafayette, rue du 22 Novembre, and Printemps, 1-5 rue de la Haute Montée – are both close to place Kléber and offer a variety of goods, from retail to cosmetics and household items. The FNAC on place Klébe has a wide selection of books and electronics. A couple of bookstores (Librairie du Monde and Librairie Kléber) are also in the vicinity. A little further out but equally as large is the Rivetoile with many stores and restaurants, open Mon-Fri from 10:00-20:00 and Sat from 09:00-20:00 and accessible by tram.

• Opening hours

Shopping hours vary – department stores usually open Mon-Sat from 09:00-19:00 and boutiques are open from 10:00- 12:00 and 14:00-18:00. Many smaller shops and stores also close Saturday mornings and Sunday.

• Souvenirs

Many souvenirs shops dot the city centre, especially around the cathedral and Petite France. Souvenir shops will usually sell traditional potteries and memorabilia with the emblematic stalk and cathedral. The Alsace region is also renowned for its wine wines, such as Riesling (dry), Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris, and Gewürztraminer (sweet).

Restaurants in Strasbourg

There is no shortage of good restaurants in Strasbourg (/france/strasbourg-international-airport). Take your pick from Asian and Eastern eateries, to burgers and pizzas or kebabs and pub foods. However, if you are to travel to Alsace, even for just a short stint, make sure you head over to one of the many traditional Alsatian restaurants or winstubs (pronounced ‘veenshtub’, meaning a wine bar-restaurant serving local food) to tuck into some local specialities. Restaurants will fit any budget and any taste buds, and roaming around the smaller alleys to find the hidden gems is half the fun, as new places crop up around the city quite regularly. The restaurants below have been grouped into three different pricing categories: Expensive (over €70) Moderate (€40 to €70) Cheap (up to €40) These prices are for an average three-course meal for one, including tax and service, and may include half a bottle of house wine or equivalent. By law, all restaurants in France (/france) include tax and service within their prices. Tips are not expected although they are always appreciated. Opening times are fairly generally 12:00-14:00 for lunch and 19:00-22:30 for dinner.

Expensive

• Au Crocodile

Cuisine: French/Alsatian This restaurant has stood the test of time and its reputation often precedes it – from Michelin stars lost and gained (the restaurant was awarded three stars under Chef Emile Jung), to new management under Chef Philippe Bohrer and a new star to its name, the restaurant shines through its dishes’ complexity and refinement. The cuisine here combines Bohrer’s love of haute cuisine with regional cooking, with selections from prime meats and game to unusual desserts and flavours. Still, the restaurant offers interesting and affordable set lunches. Close to the cathedral and place Kléber, Au Crocodile remains an excellent address for fine dining with a twist, thus reinstating the place of gastronomy and cooking as an art form. Address: 10 rue de l’Outre, Strasbourg. Telephone: +33 3 8832 1302 Website: www.au-crocodile.com

• Buerehiesel

Cuisine: French/Alsatian Antoine Westermann has earned a Michelin star for the refined regional cuisine at Buerehiesel, a 17th-century country house set in the heart of the Parc de l’Orangerie. Dinner here usually calls for special occasion although lunch sets are surprisingly affordable and popular. From a timber-beamed room or on the summer terrace, do not miss the chance to dine with a view of the park. Dishes such as the local pasta (schniederspaetle) with pan fried frog legs scented with chervil or the caramelised brioche with beer, beer ice cream and roasted pear would surely tickle any tastebud. Address: 4 parc de l’Orangerie, Strasbourg. Telephone: +33 3 8845 5665 Website: www.buerehiesel.com

Moderate

• L’Alsace à Table

Cuisine: French/Alsatian Located near place Kléber, this attractive 1920s Parisian brasserie is elegantly decorated with paintings, wooden tables and landscapes of the sea. A maritime feel also infiltrates the menu as a good choice of fish and seafood dishes is on offer, including lobsters and freshly caught trout. The emphasis is greatly traditional Alsatian cuisine, and the house speciality ischoucroute aux troispoissons(sauerkraut with three fish). The first floor can cater for business functions, banquets or personal events and can cater up to 100 plus people. Address: 8 rue des Francs-Bourgeois, Strasbourg. Telephone: +33 3 8832 5062 Website: www.alsace-a-table.fr

• Le Coq Blanc

Cuisine: French/Alsatian Located in the Robertsau district, close to the European institutions, this local plush restaurant attracts locals and regulars, as well as businesspeople, diplomats and passers-by. Enjoy the beautiful terrace in the summer and savour their fresh salads and soups, or cosy up indoors in the winter and delve into some rustic warming classics such as game meats or poultry in rich dark sauces. Address: 9 rue Melanie, Strasbourg. Telephone: +33 3 8841 8777 Website: www.au-coq-blanc.fr

• Le Tire-Bouchon

Cuisine: French/Alsatian Right in the heart of Strasbourg, a stone’s throw away from the cathedral, this popular restaurant serves all things Alsatian, rustic, authentic and with pride. The choucroute (sauerkraut) with various meats and sausages or the Baeckeoffe, a hearty casserole of meats and potatoes stewed in white wine are just a selection of some of the region’s classics. The wine list is also impressive (as the place’s name might suggest, as it means corkscrew), and the sommelier will gladly show you around the wine cellar and talk you through various options to accompany your meal. Address: 5 rue des tailleurs de Pierre, Strasbourg. Telephone: +33 3 8822 1632 Website: www.letirebouchon.fr

Cheap

• Ancienne Douane

Cuisine: French/Alsatian No trip to Strasbourg would be complete without a taste of the most popular local speciality, the flammekueche or tarte flambée, a bread base rolled out thin in a rectangular shape and covered with fromage blanc, crème, thinly sliced onion and bacon before being cooked in an wood-fired oven. This restaurant, besides the traditional hearty dishes with sausage and sauerkraut, offers a good variety of flammekueche, either savoury with different cheeses or sweet, usually with apple. The atmosphere is friendly and a terrace over looking the water and the adjacent quay makes for a good spot for people -watching whilst tasting some local dishes. Address: 6 rue de la douane, Strasbourg. Telephone: +33 3 8815 7878 Website: www.anciennedouane.fr

• Le Banquet des Sophistes

Cuisine: French A contemporary, wood-lined venue serving upscale classic seasonal French cuisine and tasting menus Le Banquet is a French restaurant serving quality steaks, burgers, salads and desserts in a fresh, youthful environment. The location is central and the restaurant is large enough to cater for families and groups, with good value set meal options, including children’s menus. Address: 5 Rue d’Austerlitz, Strasbourg. Telephone: +33 3 8868 5967 Website: www.le-banquet.com

• La Bourse

Cuisine: French Inaugurated in 1927, the Brasserie of the Bourse is one of the last testimonies of the belle époque in Strasbourg, where architecture and memorabilia will make you step back in time. The menu is consistently good and unpretentious, with classic dishes, from pot-au-feu (meat broth with vegetables), roasted chicken and pan-fried fish as well as flammekueche, the traditional pizza-like bread base with cream cheese and onion. Go early and enjoy the musical aperitifs hosted by one of the restaurant’s pianists. Address: 1 place de latter de Tassigny, Strasbourg. Telephone: +33 3 8836 4053 Website: www.restaurant-de-la-bourse.fr

Strasbourg Nightlife

Strasbourg’s student population keeps the city’s nightlife lively and current. The most common hotspots are clustered around the cathedral and along rue des Juifs and rue des Frères, although other neighbourhoods, such as around the university campus and along the Ill, are also worth a visit.

Bars in Strasbourg

• Académie de la Bière

The relaxing Académie de la Bière is open daily until 0400, serving more than 70 varieties of beer from France, Belgium and Germany in a cosy setting. This bar is often a hub for university students, but don’t let this put you off. It also offers some affordable and substantial snacks. Address: 17 rue Adolphe Seyboth, Strasbourg. Telephone: +33 3 8822 3888 Website: www.academiedelabiere.com

• Jeanette et les Cycleux

Fun, trendy and friendly, this bar is filled with retro bikes, jukeboxes and vintage decor and serves a range of drinks and snacks. Stop by for a shake or cocktail, or order an appetising platter of charcuterie and cheese to go with your aperitif. Address: 30 rue des Tonneliers, Strasbourg. Telephone: +33 3 8823 0271

• Les Frères Berthom

Les Frères Berthom is a classic, both with tourists and locals alike. Its unusual yet inviting atmosphere and long list of beers and cocktails would lure any passer-by. Throw in some friendly staff and a handful of snacks and you know you’re in for a good night. Address: 18 rue des Tonneliers, Strasbourg. Telephone: +33 3 8832 8118 Website:www.lesberthom.com

Clubs in Strasbourg

• Fat Cat

In an otherwise quiet street off rue d’Austerlitz, Fat Cat PussyCat plays seriously hardcore funk, disco, hip-hop and deep house till 4am for a seemingly tireless group of night owls. The club also puts on the occasional live gig featuring everything from heavy metal to blues. Address: 3 rue Klein, Strasbourg. Telephone: +33 9 6715 2560

• Le Rafiot

Join the relaxed party on this large barge moored on the River Ill, which becomes quite magical at night when the riverside glitters with lights. When you want a breather from the funk, soul and electro being played in the club, take in the river view from the large terrace. Address: Quai des Pêcheurs, Strasbourg. Telephone: +33 9 8178 3616 Website: www.rafiot.net

• Live Club

Buzzing nightspot featuring local & international live DJ performances, plus drink specials. the Live  Club sets a high standard when it comes to local clubs, and glamour chic is the rule here. Sip on a champagne cocktail, move over to the VIP lounge and soak in the socialite atmosphere among the young crowd. The Live Club exists, because imagination alone cannot be the norm for your nights! Address: 1 Rue du Miroir, Strasbourg. Telephone: +33 3 8838 5215 Website: www.club-live.fr

Live music in Strasbourg

• La Laiterie

La Laiterie is one of the most popular sites for live music, with local and international bands performing on a regular basis. La Laiterie also hosts a couple of festivals throughout the year – L’Ososphère for electro music and the Festival des Artefacts for a mix of folk, indie and rock. Address: 17 rue du Hohwald, Strasbourg. Telephone: +33 3 8823 7237 Website: www.artefact.org

• Le Molodoï

This cavernous venue is the place to discover the stars of tomorrow, as its emphasis is on giving young artists a showcase for all sorts of musical styles. When there isn’t a live performance, join the friendly crowd as DJs play a lively mix of electro and funk. Address: 19 rue du Ban-de-la-Roche, Strasbourg. Telephone: +33 3 8822 1007 Website: www.molodoi.net

• Salle Cheval Blanc

The Salle Cheval Blanc offers a variety of different shows throughout the year, with a particular emphasis on jazz performances as well as cabaret shows and film screenings. It’s set in a traditional half-timbered house, and its neighbouring restaurant serving local hearty dishes complements the night. Address: Schiltigheim, 25 rue Principale, Strasbourg. Telephone: +33 3 8881 5320

Strasbourg Food And Drink

10 Best Local Dishes In Strasbourg

These best local dishes from Strasbourg include regional comfort foods and traditional treats you should try on your next visit. Strasbourg is located in Alsace. Historically, this region of France has at times been under German influence. This gives rise to a distinctive cuisine and a cultural identity which is different from other parts of the country. Alsatian dishes incorporate German staples such as pork, sauerkraut and cheese given a subtle Gallic twist. Make sure you’re hungry – this is hearty fare and portions are generous. Don’t forget to save room for dessert – those with a sweet tooth will enjoy a plethora of cakes, biscuits, brioche and pastries. Read on to whet your appetite!

• Spaetzle Rich, buttery Alsatian comfort food

Spaetzle (referred to across the border in Germany as ‘spätzle’) are tiny noodles or dumplings made with eggs. In some ways, they resemble Italian gnocchi in appearance. But unlike gnocchi, they contain no potato. Instead, this filling dish consists of flour, egg and milk, mixed to form a runny batter rather than a dough. It’s put through a special spaetzle grater and cooked quickly in boiling water before being fried off in plenty of butter. Spaetzle also goes well with cheese.

A fascinating city fusing a very French identity with elements influenced by its proximity to the German border, Strasbourg is a vibrant cultural hotspot. Perfect for business trips, family holidays, breaks with friends or romantic escapes, this is one of Alsace’s most popular destinations. There are a huge range of accommodation options to choose from, with many heritage gems and swish contemporary hotels clustered near the city centre. Our list of the best places to stay in Strasbourg offers the ideal starting point to begin planning your trip. Strasbourg’s Grande Île, the old town centre, is the place to go for heritage strolls, guided tours and museums. This was the the first city to be Heritage Listed by UNESCO — in its entirety. Admire the Gothic Cathedral with its 142-metre tower and 300-year-old clock, the beautiful Palais Rohan — now home to the Museum of Fine Arts and the Archaeological Museum — the Historical Museum of the City of Strasbourg, and the Baroque Opera House. Slightly to the south, La Petite France is a lovely neighbourhood for a stroll, whilst the European Court of Human Rights as well as the Council of Europe mean that modern Strasbourg has its own powerful change-making energy. Gather in lively squares or on little lanes where tables spill onto the street for delicious regional cuisine, or to sip Alsace-produced wine in cosy winstubs in the evenings. Strasbourg has a burgeoning student population, so you can expect late night parties aplenty. Many of the best places to stay in Strasbourg feature restorative spas for kicking back the following day.