Strasbourg, Best of the Double-Identity City

When you hear Strasbourg, several international institutions, most notably the European Parliament, might come to mind. Strasbourg is one of the few cities in the world that’s not a state capital yet hosts international organizations of the first order. 

The city’s international status was acquired in 1979 with the opening of the European Parliament there. The cultural scene in Strasbourg is a mix of Franco-German culture; this diversity in the city’s culture was mainly fueled by the violent dispute over it throughout history.

Having been seized several times by the Germans during the First and Second World Wars, the city was enriched with the culture of both countries. Throughout history, the city has acted as a cultural bridge between the two countries, primarily through the University of Strasbourg, France’s second largest.

It is located on the eastern border with Germany, which The Rhine forms; the city’s historical centre lies on the Grand Île on the River Ill, which runs parallel to The Rhine.

Several waterways connect the two rivers through the city. The city has oceanic weather with warm and relatively sunny summers. Cool, overcast winters and an average of 30 snow days a year make the weather perfect for your visit.

The city has architectural heritage, museums, parks and world-class educational institutions. The Ill River divides and surrounds the Grand Île (Big Island), on which most of the city’s famous buildings are situated.

How to get to Strasbourg?

1. Fly in:

The nearest airport to the city is Strasbourg SXB. Taking a flight to Strasbourg is the most expensive way to get there. Unless you’re outside Europe and flying in is the easiest option, it’s more advised to take the train. For example, the cheapest plane ticket from Paris will cost you around 50 Euros.

2. By train:

If you book your journey in advance, a one-way train ticket from Paris to Strasbourg costs less than 50 Euros. If you book your train ride on the same day, the price takes about 2 hours to travel to about 110 Euros.

The train will take yoGare de l’Est tobourg in about 2 hours. If you book a train ticket from Zurich, the three-hour ride will cost you around 67 Euros.

3. By bus:

A bus ticket from Paris to Strasbourg will cost around 16 Euros for the cheapest ticket and will get you there in over 6 hours. A bus from Zurich will take over 4 hours to get tickets starting at 14 Euros.

4. By car:

If you like driving there, you can rent a car from Paris for three days. The vehicle will cost you around 105 Euros without adding fuel, and the ride will take over four hours.

Renting a car from Zurich is very costly. A car will be at your disposal for three days for almost 500 Euros, not including the fuel price. You can check the website Rentalcars for the best car rental deals across Europe.

Always book your trips in advance to get the best ticket prices; the closer your booking time is, the higher the prices will be.

Shall we explore the Franco-German city of Strasbourg?

In addition to being home to many European institutions, Strasbourg has a wide variety of historical sites, fine arts museums, University museums, museums in the suburbs and parks that will enchant you. So, let’s get to it!

Historical Landmarks around Strasbourg

1. Place Kléber (Kléber Square):

Strasbourg’s central square is located in the city’s commercial area. It was named after Frenc, of whom there is a statueléber and a statue. The statue was completed in 1838; below it, there’s a vault with Kléber’s remains.

Every Christmsquare’s southwest corner is set up in the square’s southwest corner. People put gifts for low-income people beneath the tree, and about 50 booths are set up to make a small village of sharing. The entire area was classified as a UNESCO World Hehonoure Site in 1988, the first time succentreonor was bestowed upon a whole city centre.

2. The Aubette:

This historical building on Place Kléber in Strasbourg was built between 1765 and 1772. From its start in the 13th century until the 1920s, L’Aubette went through many stages of care and neglect. Even though Place Kléber was paid much care, no one seemed to care about The Aubette.

In the 1920s, three architects were commissioned to bring the building back from the dead. Theo van Doesburg, Sophie Taeuber-Arp, and Jean Arp were in charge of the two cafes and two dance halls, the entrance aisle, the tearoom, two bars, the basement, the passage, and the billiard room. All three artists worked together to design the stairwell.

The current admission fee is accessible to the Public, and there is also free admission at Place. The building has a gallery, theatre and a café.

3. Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Strasbourg (Strasbourg Cathedral):

Also known as the Cathedral of Our Lady of Strasbourg, many parts of the cathedral are examples of Romanesque architecture. It’s widely considered among the finest examples of Rayonnant Gothic Architecture. Construction began in 1015 and was only finished in 1439.

A Roman settlement called Argentoratum existed on the same site since 12 BC. It was a strategic point and trading centre for many goods, later for textile and luxury products. The first cathedral was erected in about 550 – 575, but no traces remain today.

In 1015, Bishop Werner laid the first stone of a new cathedral. The cathedral and wooden roof beams were prone to fires, which damaged the construction, and renovations had to be Carried out after each fire.

The church suffered from four significant fires throughout its history yet kept its essentially Romanesque style. However, wars and political crises often interrupted the church.

Construction of a new and more beautiful cathedral began in 1200 with additions of Gothic elements, following the style that appeared in northern France in the 12th century.

Rayonant additions to the cathedral were made between 1277 and 1439. The construction plan was partly inspired by French cathedrals, notably the Basilica of Saint-Urbain of Troyes. An installation of the rose window took Place with 12 statues of the apostles above it.

Like the city of Strasbourg, the Strasboural has German and French influences while keeping its Romanesque features.

During the French Revolution, the church was subjected to severe vandalism. Some revolutionaries called the Enragés, smashed the 215 statues over the portals with hammers, along with the angels and the crowns and sceptres of the statues of the kings.

Many of the cathedrals returned to the church’s control until its return, which was control of the church in 1801. Afterrenovationries of significant reconstruction and enlarge-scale project

In 1915, architect Johann Knuth discovered cracks on the first pillar of the northern side of the nave. This led to a large-scale project to replace the cathedral’s entire foundation with concrete, which was completed in 1926, after the end of the First World War.

Air raids destroyed parts of the cathedral during the Second World War, and restoration work was only finished in the early 1990s. Restoration work on the tower was completed in 2006, and another restoration campaign started in 2014 on the south transept.

Some of the cathedral’s origins of sculpture and art were moved to the Musée de l’Œuvre Notre-Dame or the Museum of the Work of Notre-Dame to protect them from environmental damage.

These include some of the original statues from the portals from the 13th century, the earliest plans of the cathedral, paintings, and tapestries. Other works and objects from the cathedral, such as the mechanism of the original astronomical clock, can be found in the Musée des Arts décoratifs de Strasbourg.

4. Église Saint-Étienne (Saint Stephan’s Church):

This church is located at the Saint-Étienne Catholic College in Strasbourg and serves as the current church’s position occupied the position of the current church. A church replaced it in 717 and was rebuilt in 1220 in Romanesque-Gothic style.

After the French Revoland Union, the building was used as a warehouse and a theatre. 1802, the church was deprived of its tower, and in 1805, it was transformed into a theatre.

During the Second World War, the building suffered significant damage from bombing, and restoration works were carried out over time. Restorations took Place in 1956 and 1961. In 1962, the church was classified as a historical monument.

On the other hand, the college started work in 1861 and seminary to teach future priests and lay students. Since the church is part of a school, public access is limited and is only possible on special occasions such as European Heritage Days.

5. Église Saint-Thomas (Saint Thomas Church):

The church is built on the site of a former worship place under the patronage of Thomas the Apos, who lived there from the 6th century onwards. In the 9th century, a church with an adjoining scaffold was built, and it burned down in 1007 and 1144.

Construction began in 1196 on the façade of a new fortress-like building built in Romanesque style. The work was interrupted several times and was only completed in 1521 in the late Gothic style. The church became a historical monument in 1862.

6. Église protestante Saint-Pierre-le-Jeune (The Saint-Piartistic,e-le-Jeune ,Protestant Church):

From art, historical, and architectural viewpoints, this church is one of Strasbourg’s most important buildings. The oldest part of the church is the small, lower church used as a burial crypt; it comes from the remains of The church’s various parts from the 7th century.

Different parts of the church date back to other eras. The building dates back to the Gothic period between 1897 and 1901. It was restored to decay between 1897 and 1901 and redesigned in neo-Gothic style by architect Carl Schäfer.

7. Église Saint-Guillaume (Saint William’s Church):

This church on the banks of the Ill River has an exciting exterior that represents both Gothic and Baroque styles. The monastery was constructed by Knight Henri de Müllenheim, who wanted to build one for the Hermits of Saint William, an order of mendicant monks.

The building was consecrated in 1301 and finished in 1307. The church is the only remnant of this group of monks with its early Renaissance stained glass and furniture.

8. Église Saint-Jean de Strasbourg (The Church of Saint Jean):

This church has been a historical monument since 1946 dedicated to Saint John the Baptist. The bombing church was destroyed by the church, which was royal, after the bombing in the Second World War, leaving only the walls and the steeple. The provisional church was built in 1946 and was consecrated in 1947.

The church, which was destroyed in 1962, was rebuilt in 1964. 1965, the provisional church was demolished, and the new one resumed service. The roofs and the bell tower were fully restored between 2013 and 2014.

9. Église Sainte-Madeleine (The Sainte-Madeleine Church):

This church is the fourth one dedicated to Mary Magdalene in Strasbourg since the 13th century. It was classified as a historical monument in 1898. The Gothic-style church was built and completed in 1478 but was destroyed by a fire in 1904. All that remained of the last Gothic structure in Strasbourg was the choir, which housed fragments of many frescos.

The current church, built in 1907, is more spacious and airy. It was damaged by the British and American bombing during the Second World War and was again rebuilt in 1958. A part of the former cloisters from the earlier convent can still be seen, surrounding the adjacent school building.

10. Église Saint-Pierre le Vieux (Church of Old Saintwaseters):

This Catholic and Lutheran Church was first mentioned in 1130. In 1535, a Latin school or Middle School was opened at the church. In the 19th century, the Catholic part of the church was extended and opened in 1867. By that time, everything was built inside the church to limit Protestant services to the nave, and it was only in 2012 that a door was built in that wall to connect the two parts of the church.

11. Place Broglie:

It is one of the city’s main squares, located on the Grande Île, the ancient city centre of Strasbourg. It’s well known for its historical and prestigious surroundings: the Opera House, the City Hall, the Governor’s Palace, the Perfect’s Palace, the Strasbourg building of the Banque de France and the historic Mess Building. You can reach the square to spend a day marvelling at its beautiful neighbours by using the tram, a stop on the Strasbourg tramway.

12. Le Neue Bau (The Neubau):

The name means “new building,” which was indeed built as one. It was built for no specific purpose but to add some space to the older administrative buildings that comprised the old Town Hall, which was demolished in 1781, the Chancery, which was demolished in 1800, and the Mint, which was demolished in 1738.

The new Town Hall was looted when all its furniture was gone during the French Revolution. In 1792, it served as the Chamber of Commerce. In the 2000s, the Neubau was completely renovated. This example of Renaissance architecture acquired a historical landmark status in 1995.

13. Palais Rohan (Rohan Palace):

This architectural, historical and cultural landmark was built next to Strasbourg Cathedral in the 1730s and finished in 1742. It is the former residence of the prince-bishops and cardinals of the House of Rohan, an ancient French noble family from Brittany. It is considered a masterpiece of French Baroque architecture.

Since its completion, it has been the residence of several French monarchs, such as Louis XV and Napoleon. The palace was primarily built in yellow and pink sandstone for less visible parts. It was confiscated from the House of Rohan during the French Revolution and became state-owned.

It became the new town hall in 1791, after which most of the furniture and art from the palace were sold. In 1793, the eight life-sized portraits of prince-bishops were destroyed and replaced 1796 by allegories of civic virtues.

Between 1872 and 1884, the palace served as the Imperial German version of the University of Strasbourg, as the seat of the faculties of Law, Philosophy and Sciences. Then, the palace served as the University’s library until the opening of the National and University Library in 1895. After this, the palace became the city’s property and was adapted to host the municipal art collections.

Even though restoration works were underway after the damage caused by the Second World War bombardment, a fire broke out in 1947, destroying a huge part of the Palace Museum of Fine Arts collections. Restoration works resumed in the 1950s and were not finished until the 1990s.

The chambers of the prince-bishops and cardinals are divided into the grand apartment and the petit apartment. The library serves as the nave of the palace’s tiny chapel. The French Ministry of Culture listed the palace as a historical monument in 1920.

14. Hôtel de Hanau (Hôtel de ville or City Hall):

The current building was built between 1731 and 1736. It was initially owned by Hanau-Lichtenberg’s rulers, a country of the Holy Roman Empire. After the French Revolution, the palace became state-owned. The building has acquired the status of City Hall since 1805.

Now, it is used for weddings, official receptions, and banquets. The Metropolitan City of Strasbourg’s administration is run from the administrative centre near Parc de l’Étoile. The city hall is open for visitors on special European Heritage Days. The building has been declared a historic monument since 1921.

15. Hôtel de Klinglin (Currently known as Hôtel du Préfet):

The building is designed in a different style than most buildings in Strasbourg, with a straight and crescent-looking façade instead of two straight ones. It was built between 1732 and 1736. Until the French Revolution, the building served as the seat of the royal Intention.

Between 1789 and 1799, it was the seat of the Directoire du district. Since 1800, it has served as the residence of the prefect of Bas-Rhin. The building was severely damaged during the Siege of Strasbourg in 1870; the roof collapsed, and almost all the interior was destroyed; only the exterior walls survived.

Restoration works quickly began afterwards, using as much of the original material as possible; only the shape of the roof was modified, and a balcony was added. The building was dubbed a historical monument in 1970. It is also open for visitors on European Heritage Days.

16. Hôtel des Deux-Ponts (Currently known as Hôtel du gouverneur militaire):

The current official residence of the military governor of Strasbourg is located on Place Broglie on the Grande Île. Built between 1754 and 1755, it was designed as a hôtel particulier. The hôtel featured a courtyard, two ornate façades, a grand portal, and a French garden.

The hôtel became state-owned after the French Revolution in 1791 and has since served as the official residence of the military governors and chiefs of staff. It was classified as a historical monument in 1921 and is open for visitors on European Heritage Days.

17. Opéra de Strasbourg (The Strasbourg Opera House):

Located on Place Broglie on the Grande Île, this opera house was declared a historical monument in 1921. Built on the ruins of a previous opera house, which was destroyed by a fire in 1800, and on the exact location, plans to make it were altered several times until the final opening of the opera in 1821.

The opera was damaged during the Siege of Strasbourg. It was rebuilt and reopened in 1873. The auditorium can accommodate 1,142 guests and has seen performances by great artists such as George Szell.

18. Palais du Rhin (Palace of Rhine):

This palace is located in the German quarter of Strasbourg, in the Place de la République. It is a vast building, and along with its surrounding gardens and the neighbouring stables, it is a notable example of 19th-century Prussian architecture.

After the Franco-Prussian war, Strasbourg was annexed by the German Empire. As the capital, a palace symbolizing imperial power was built. Work began in 1884 and finished in only five years.

The building’s purpose changed as politics changed. During the First World War, it was converted into a military hospital. After the city returned to France in 1920, the building earned its name when the Central Commission for Navigation on the Rhine moved in.

The palace was classified as a historical monument in 1993 and currently houses the Direction régionale des affaires culturelles of Grand Est and the Direction régionale des affaires culturelles of Alsace.

19. Place de la République (Imperial Square):

One of the main squares in the city of Strasbourg is surrounded by historical monuments on three sides by five buildings. The Palais du Rhin, the National and University Library, the Théâtre national de Strasbourg, the Préfecture of Grand Est and Bas-Rhin and the tax center Hôtel des impôts.

The square’s layout and construction began in 1880. It was designed to surround a circular garden in the middle. The area was previously occupied by city walls, which were demolished after the Franco-Prussian War.

Ginkgo biloba trees, which Emperor Meiji of Japan presented to his German counterpart, were planted in the central garden in the 1880s and still stand today. Conversely, a purple beech and a fern-leaf beech, which were planted between 1883 and 1887, were rooted out by a storm in 2019!

20. Palais des Fêtes (Festival Palace):

This music venue in the Neustadt district of Strasbourg has been a historical monument since 2007. The palace was built between 1901 and 1903 when Strasbourg was a German city. It was one of the first buildings in the town to use reinforced concrete. The palace was initially built as the Sängerhaus (singer’s house).

The palace was built in the Art Nouveau style, except that the auditorium was decorated in a Neo-Baroque style. The palace included a restaurant big enough to host 300 people. A new story, including a rehearsal room, was added in 1904.

Plans to expand the building by adding a new wing at the rear were carried out after Strasbourg became a French city again. The works were finally finished in 1921. The inner decoration of the main auditorium was wholly modified in 1933. Even though Strasbourg was bombed several times during the Second World War, the palace was not hit.

Since the Orchestre Philharmonique moved out of the palace in 1975, it has been home to La Philharmonie, a medium-sized professional orchestra performing thrice a year. The palace now hosts concerts, jazz concerts, rock concerts, gospel concerts, and other non-classical music genres.

The Marseillaise wing in the palace is home to the municipal ballet school, and the Sängerhaus wing holds regular conventions, such as the Anime convention “Japan Addict.” The palace has been undergoing restorations since 2011 and was scheduled to reopen in January 2020, but it was delayed until the end of that year.

21. Villa Schutzenberger (Hôtel Schutzenberger):

The European Audiovisual Observatory’s current seat, which has been in Place since 1992, was initially built for the owner of the Schutzenberger brewery. Construction began in 1897 and finished in 1900. The villa is one of Strasbourg’s most prominent examples of Art Nouveau architecture.

The villa was sold to the municipality, and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe rented the entire building in 1989. The villa is open to visitors on special European Heritage Days.

22. Hôtel Brion (Villa Brion):

This small example of Art Nouveau in the Neustadt district of Strasbourg has been a historical monument since 1975. It was built by Auguste Brion in 1904 for himself; he used timber framing and reinforced concrete walls while their surfaces were covered in stonemasonry. Between 1926 and 1972, the building was used as a hotel called Hôtel Marguerite, but it’s been in private hands since 1980.

23. Observatory of Strasbourg:

After the University of Strasbourg was reestablished in 1872, construction on the observatory began in 1875. The observatory’s official inauguration was in 1881. Scientific research before the First World War was minor as the observatory lacked enough staff to operate the machines.

The main observations were comets, variable stars, binary stars, and nebula photometry. The observatory is home to the Strasbourg Astronomical Data Center, established in 1972, which collects and distributes astronomical information.

Strasbourg, France – Discover Strasbourg City – Connolly Cove

Strasbourg Museums

The city of Strasbourg is rich in museums of all backgrounds, such as fine arts and university museums. These museums showcase various works, such as Old Master paintings, decorative arts, prints and drawings, and artefacts from Ancient Egypt.

1. Musée des Beaux-Arts de Strasbourg (Museum of Fine Arts of Strasbourg):

The Museum has been housed on the first and second floors of the Palais Rohan since 1898. It is home to the city of Strasbourg’s old master’s paintings collection. The Museum mainly displays works by non-Upper Rhenish artists between the 14th century and 1871 and Upper Rhenish artists between 1681 and 1871. The Museum initially held 1,934 works in 2015, but that collection was enriched even more with donations in 2019.

2. Musée de l’Œuvre Notre-Dame (Museum of the Oeuvre Notre-Dame):

The first document mentioning the Museum dates back to 1281. The Museum is the city of Strasbourg’s home for Upper-Rhenish fine arts and decorative arts dating from the early Middle Ages to 1681. It is most famous for holding a collection of original sculptures, glass windows, architectural fragments, and plans of the Strasbourg Cathedral.

3. Musée d’Art Moderne et Contemporain de Strasbourg (Strasbourg Museum of Modern and Contemporary Arts – MAMCS):

The Museum was founded in 1973 and reopened in 1998. It houses paintings, sculptures, graphic arts, multimedia, and design from 1870 until today. Its collection reaches a whopping 18,000 works.

The Museum organizes annual exhibitions of specific artists or a particular genre of art. It also houses the Municipal Museums’ Art Library and Book Shop, a multipurpose auditorium for conferences, films, and concerts, and a café on the terrace.

4. Musée des Arts décoratifs (Museum of Decorative Arts):

It is located on the Palais Rohan’s ground floor and is divided into two halves. One half comprises beautiful chambers in late baroque, Rococo, and Empire styles. The other half is a magnificent display of the art of Alsatian porcelain, gold, and silversmith masters between 1681 and 1870.

After the bombing of the Palais Rohan during the Second World War, the chambers were restored gradually until the 1990s, when the interior furnishings were built. The Museum also displays elements of the first astronomical clock of Strasbourg Cathedral. It is said that the clock is the world’s oldest automation.

5. Cabinet des estampes et des dessins (Print Room):

The Museum collects prints and drawings, woodcuts and lithographs from five centuries, from the 14th to the 19th century. In 2015, the entire museum collection was estimated to be an epic 200,291 pieces and was even enriched by donations in 2019.

6. Musée Tomi Ungerer/Centre international de l’illustration (Tomi Ungerer Museum):

This Museum, dedicated to Tomi Ungerer’s different works, was opened in November 2007. It displays 11,000 graphic works of art by Ungerer and some of his most famous colleagues, such as Ronald Searle. The Museum is spread over three floors in one-half of the former Villa Greiner. In 2015, the number of pieces showcased in the Museum was estimated at 24,170.

7. Musée zoologique de la ville de Strasbourg (Zoological Museum of the City of Strasbourg):

The construction of this natural history museum started in 1890 and continued until 1893 to accommodate the extensive natural history collection bought by the city from Johann Hermann. The Museum has collections of birds, marine mammals, invertebrates, and insects. It has been closed for renovation and expansion work since 2019.

8. Gypsothèque de Strasbourg:

This Museum is located in the basement of the Palais Universitaire of Strasbourg. It houses a classical cast collection, the second-largest cast collection in France, and the most extensive University cast collection in France.

Even though plans were made to move the casts from the basement into a separate building, they stayed there until the outbreak of the Second World War.

9. The Musée de Sismologie et Magnétisme terrestre (The Museum of Seismology and Terrestrial Magnetism):

The Museum is on the historic campus opposite the botanical garden of the University of Strasbourg. It operates under the guidance of the School and Observatory of Earth Sciences. The observatory recorded its first earthquake in 1892; it took Place in Asia.

The Museum was created in 1992 to celebrate 100 years of earthquake recordings in Strasbourg. It exhibits old measuring instruments in Seismology and recordings of the Earth’s magnetic field and its evolution over the years. The Museum opens on Wednesdays and Saturdays and by reservation for groups.

10. Musée de minéralogie (Museum of Mineralogy):

The Museum displays historical mineral collections and is operated under the supervision of the University of Strasbourg. It is home to over 30,000 samples of minerals, gems, and stones from France, Germany, and the former Soviet Union; Russia, Romania, and the USA are also on display.

One of the most astonishing pieces is a cast of the most significant single piece of gold ever found: a 68-kilogram piece in Australia. The Museum is located in the Paleontology and Mineralogy faculty building of the University of Strasbourg.

11. The Musée d’Égyptologie (Museum of Egyptology):

The Egyptian collection at this Museum consists of 6,500 archaeological items from Egypt and Sudan, such as statues, sarcophagi, vases, and amulets. There are also casts, stampings, and more than 5,000 old photographs on glass plates.

12. Crypte aux étoiles (Stars Crypt):

Located in the basement of the historical Observatory of Strasbourg building, it showcases a collection of ancient astronomical observation and measuring devices, such as telescopes, clocks, and theodolites.

13. Musée archéologique (Archeological Museum):

The largest Alsatian Museum in the city is located in the basement of the Palais Rohan. It showcases many regional archaeological findings from Prehistory to the Merovingian dynasty.

The Society for the Conservation of the Historical Monuments of Alsace, established in 1855, expanded and publicly displayed the archaeological collections donated by historian Johann Daniel Schöpflin to Strasbourg.

However, a large number of the collections were destroyed in 1870 during the Franco-Prussian War. When the city was rebuilt, the Archeological Museum moved into its current premises.

The Museum was completely renovated between 1988 and 1992. Due to the ongoing excavation works made in and around Strasbourg, the Museum’s collections continue to grow. The Museum presents an overview of the region’s human habitat, beginning with the earliest traces of Human dwelling and settling.

14. Musée alsacien (Alsatian Museum):

Opened in 1907 and bought by Strasbourg in 1917, it is dedicated to the different aspects of daily life (primarily rural) in pre-industrial and early-industrial Alsace. The Museum contains over 5,000 exhibits and is known for aiding in the reconstruction of the interiors of several traditional houses—a comprehensive collection illustrating the daily life of Alsatian Jews. The Museum is located in several Renaissance timber-framed houses on the banks of the Ill River.

15. Le Vaisseau (The Vessel/Ship):

It is an interactive science centre that opened its gates in 2005. Designed for children and teenagers aged 3 to 15, the Vessel aims to introduce young people to science and technology. Its motto is “Science while having fun.”

Following a science exhibition in 1998, the General Council of the Bas-Rhin noticed an interest among young people in science, and the idea of an interactive science centre was later proposed.

The first stone was laid in 2003, and children of the Wangenbourg summer camp chose Le Vaisseau. Renovation works began in 2014 to celebrate the centre’s 10th anniversary.

-There are six main scientific themes presented by The Vessel:

• Being Human: Through two main elements, a path in the dark and an obstacle course, the children learn about the human body and raise their awareness of disabilities.
• The Animals: A space that focuses on learning about animals.
• I Build: This space is equipped with a building site suitable for children from age 3. It is designed to help children familiarize themselves with building and construction and discover design and fabrication processes using different techniques.
• Water: This exhibition is dedicated to studying the physical properties of water, its importance, and the techniques developed to master it.
• Log’hic: Mathematical concepts are presented in this section in the form of riddles, puzzles and brain-teasers.
• The Garden: The garden includes 5,000 square meters of relaxation spaces, various elements for observing nature, an educational beehive, and an insect hotel.

The centre holds an exhibition on different themes from August to September yearly. Previous themes have included visual disabilities, the wind, mathematics, botany, and the human body.

16. Musée historique de la ville de Strasbourg (Historical Museum of the City of Strasbourg):

It is located in the Renaissance building of the former slaughterhouse (Grande Boucherie). It is dedicated to the city’s tumultuous history from the early Middle Ages until the contemporary period.

17. Musée vodou (Voodoo Museum):

The Museum, which showcases one of France’s most important collections of private Voodoo art, was established in 2014. The Museum is located at the old water castle of Strasbourg, built in 1878, and has been a historic monument since 1984.

Dubbed the “Biggest collection of African Voodoo art pieces in the world,” the Museum comprises 1060 pieces, of which 220 are on display at the permanent exhibition, “Voodoo as an art to see differently.” The pieces originate from Togo, Benin, Ghana, and Nigeria.

The Museum is open Wednesday through Sunday from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. A group of at least eight people can make a reservation for a visit outside the set hours. Young people are also welcome to discover the mysteries surrounding voodoo culture.

18. Musée du barreau de Strasbourg (Strasbourg Bar Museum):

Created in 1823, this Museum traces the work and history of the city’s lawyers. The Museum contains manuscripts, documents, engravings and rare objects to help you learn more about his profession. Guided tours can be booked from the Museum and are distinguishable by the quality of the explanations.

19. Musée Les Secrets du Chocolat (Museum of the Secrets of Chocolate):

Located in the suburban area of Geispolsheim, it’s about 10 minutes from downtown Strasbourg. The Museum has various areas that explore different themes, a demonstration workshop, a conference room where seminars can be held, and a restaurant.

Exhibits and multimedia illustrate the history of using cocoa beans, starting from the Aztecs. In this delicious Museum, you will learn about the process of making chocolate, and there’s even a discovery workshop where children aged 5 to 12 can learn about the process.

The Museum is accessed through a small courtyard with storefronts that copy the style of Paris in the day of the Marquise de Sévigné, whom you learn about during your tour at the Museum and how she was connected with the Marquise de Sévigné brand of chocolate.

20. Fort Frère (Strong Brother):

Initially called Fort Großherzog von Baden, the fort is part of Strasbourg’s fortified belt in Oberhausbergen, Alsace. It is one of 14 fortifications built around the city.

Since its construction, the fort has served several purposes: a place of defence during the First World War and a prison camp. French troops took back the fort from their German counterparts after a gruelling fight on 23 November 1944.

The fort is currently the property of the French Army, which entrusted it to the fortifications section of the Sports and Artistic Club of the Strasbourg Garrison. It has been open to guided tours since 2002.

21. Fort Rapp (Once known as Fort Moltke):

It is located in Reichstett, a village 10 minutes away from Strasbourg. This fort is also part of the fortification belt built around Strasbourg after its fall in 1870 during the Franco-Prussian War.

The fort was built between 1872 and 1874. When the city was returned to France, it was renamed Fort Rapp. As of fall 2008, 50% of the fort was available for tourist visits. It is open for tourists on weekends from mid-April to late September, with a guide present at the site.

22. MM Park France (Military Park France):

Opened in 2017, this Museum in La Wantzenau, Strasbourg, is dedicated to the history and legacy of the Second World War. The Museum mainly includes collections from the founder, Eric Kauffmann, and Dominique Soulier’s Sussex 1944 collection.

Kauffmann spent more than 20 years comprising his collections and had the opportunity to showcase them after buying the Museum. The Museum is the largest in Europe and is dedicated to the Second World War.

The Museum has two floors. On the ground floor are two large exhibition halls, mainly vehicles, a leisure park, and a restaurant. On the first floor are weapons, uniforms, and the room housing the 1944 collection.

The Museum plays a presentation on deportation. The rooms are also available for rent to hold events, seminars, or meetings. The leisure park has several attractions not included in the Museum’s ticket price.

There is a flight simulator where you can learn how to navigate while sitting in the cockpit of a WWII fighter, the D-Day course, a treetop adventure course and zip line, and a shooting range where you can shoot an air rifle. There’s also a cinema projecting small films revolving around the war.

Internationally Renowned Music and Drama Institutions in Strasbourg

Apart from housing several European political Institutions, Strasbourg is also home to many international music and drama institutions.

1. Opéra national du Rhin (National Rhine Opera):

This opera company includes the Opera in Strasbourg, the one in Mulhouse, where “Ballet de l’Opéra national du Rhin” is based, and the one in Colmar, with its training centre for young singers known as Opera Studio. The Opera du Rhin was given the status of “national opera” in 1997 as an indication of its importance.

2. Orchestre philharmonique de Strasbourg (Strasbourg Philharmonic Orchestra):

The orchestra was founded in 1855 and is one of two permanent Opéra National du Rhin orchestras. The orchestra’s venue since 1975 has been the Palais de la musique et des congrès ‘Pierre Pflimlin’. Since its foundation, it has had German and French identities until the city eventually returned to France’s sovereignty, giving it its French identity back.

3. Théâtre national de Strasbourg (National Theater of Strasbourg):

This palace is located on Strasbourg’s Place de la République, and a theatre company of the same name, The National Theater of Strasbourg, now occupies it. The theatre was built between 1888 and 1889 in a neo-Renaissance style. It was initially built to hold the legislative assembly of the regional parliament of Alsace-Lorraine after the region had come under German control.

In 1944, during the Second World War, the east wing of the building that housed the Chamber of the Assembly was destroyed by bombing. The east wing was rebuilt between 1950 and 1957 after its reconstruction to house a theatre auditorium instead.

In 1922, the Conservatory of Strasbourg moved into the upper part of the building, where a couple of teaching rooms and a concert hall were subsequently built. However, in 1995, the building was deemed unsuitable for continuing to teach music, and the conservatory was moved out. The concert hall has remained unused since then.

In 2016, the monumental pipe organ was removed from the building, restored, and moved to Saint Stephan’s Church, where it began a new life as a church organ instead of a concert organ. The National Theater of Strasbourg and its neighbouring buildings in the Place de la République were declared a historical monument 1995.

4. Conservatoire de Strasbourg (Strasbourg Conservatory):

This prestigious music school was established in 1839 using donated funds by Strasbourg’s art patron, Louis Apffel. The first class of the conservatory was held on 3 January 1855. The conservatory established a symphonic orchestra, the second in France after the one in Paris.

The conservatory moved into the National Theater of Strasbourg building in 1922 and moved out in 1995. It then moved into two temporary buildings until a custom building was set up in the new Rivétoile development, the Cité de la Musique et de la Dance, inaugurated in 2006.

5. Laiterie (The Dairy):

As the name suggests, this used to be a dairy factory. It was built on the outskirts of Neustadt, where milk was pasteurized. Over time, the work was moved to closer facilities inside the area, and the buildings were abandoned, apart from some artists who set up their workshops in the empty spaces.

This performance hall and cultural site was inaugurated in 1994. The best national and international performers have given their shows within its walls. All genres of music were played inside metal, rap, jazz, French songs, electro; you name it.

Each year, the managing company, Artefact PRL, organizes 150 to 200 events, bringing together 70,000 to 100,000 spectators and more than 450, sometimes 650, artists or performance groups.

La Laiterie remains faithful to its message, receiving renowned and emerging performers and artists from France and worldwide. It keeps its promise to give specialized artists a chance and to those still trying to find their ground. Artefact organizes two large-scale festivals: the Festival des Artefacts and the Electronic Nights of the Ososphere.

The Dairy comprises several buildings and cultural structures:

• The current music room is divided into two rooms. The big room can fit 900 people, and the Club can fit 300 people.
• Hall des Chars: This hall brings together about 50 artists and emerging companies through the managing association La Friche Laiterie.
• The CAJ Molodoï: Managed by the Molodoï association in support of the principle of self-management.
• The administrative headquarters of Taps; Théâtre Actuel et Public.
• The theatre at the Taps-Laiterie.
• The Theater Factory: This building houses the offices of theatre companies, several festivals, and many rehearsal rooms for theatre and dance, all made available by the Culture Department of Strasbourg.
• The Cité des Arts: A student housing building built during the Dairy’s rehabilitation.
• The bar “La Laiterie”: Currently closed.
• The building once housed the former European Center for Young Creation offices.

6. Au Zénith (The Zénith Strasbourg Europe):

The greatest Zenith in France in terms of capacity, this performance hall in Eckbolsheim can accommodate over 12,000 spectators. Construction began in January 2006 and finished in December 2007, with the opening in January 2008.

The building is made with only steel and concrete, favouring durable and easily recyclable materials. From the outside, it is covered in orange canvas. This self-cleaning textile captures the light of day and sends it back at night to the greater Strasbourg area.

The light reflected by the canvas is the most mesmerizing scene. It is also a screen to display the festivities taking Place inside.

Parks and Libraries in Strasbourg

Strasbourg offers prominent monuments, museums, and cultural landmarks. But that’s not all this city offers. Parks and libraries are also infused into the city’s plan. Let’s discover the parks and libraries in Strasbourg.

1. Parc de l’Orangerie (Orangerie Park):

This park, located on the opposite side of the Palais de l” Europe, was initially started in 1801. During the French Revolution, Strasbourg inherited 140 orange trees and had the current Joséphine pavilion to shelter them.

During the German period, the park was enlarged by adding an artificial lake and waterfall and the l’Orangerie was also expanded. The Joséphine pavilion was destroyed in a fire and was rebuilt identically in 1968. The fountain of the Arbor was damaged following the fall of a tree and was reconstructed in 2012.

Nowadays, only three orange trees remain. They are kept safe in a park greenhouse and are accessible to the Public on certain days.

When you visit The Orangerie, you can take a stroll to breathe and enjoy the fountains sprinkled around or enjoy one of the many services available. There’s a zoo, a mini-farm, a stork reintroduction centre, a bowling alley, a children’s car circuit, several games and sports grounds, and you can even rent a boat to navigate the lake.

Most importantly, there are ice cream vendors in different spots in the park where you can enjoy this delicious treat. The park and the Joséphine pavilion are listed as historical monuments, and the park has also obtained the “EcoJardin” label.

2. Parc de la Citadelle (Citadel Park):

Built in 1964, this park is located on the site of the old citadel in the Esplanade district. The district is built on the entire site of the old citadel. In 2009 and 2010, the Park Music and Cultural Festival Interference was in early September. The park also contains an aquatic playground, a sports field and the Oasis.

3. Parc de Pourtalès (Pourtalès Park):

This public park in the north-eastern district of Robertsau is one of the largest parks in the city of Strasbourg. On the park’s premises is the Pourtalès Castle. Beside the castle, the park includes a garden bridge, a house, a farm, a garden fence, a greenhouse, a concierge, a dovecote, a driveway, a gate, a walkway, a fountain, and two old ponds.

Not much remains of the park’s original decoration except for two withered statues of Apollo and Flora. The removal of the canals in 1964 caused the ponds to dry up, and nature invaded the park. Now, the park has a wild side and a natural side.

An exciting collection of sculptures has been installed at different points in the park as part of a project designed by the European Center for Contemporary Artistic Actions. For example 1988, Ernest Pignon-Ernest mixed humans and plants with Les Arbrorigènes, characters covered with microalgae camouflaged in trees.

4. Jardin Botanique de l’Université de Strasbourg (Botanic Garden of the University of Strasbourg):

Established in 1619 for the city’s Académie (which became the University in 1621), it is France’s second oldest botanical garden. It was created on the cemetery grounds of the convent Saint-Nicolas-aux-Ondes. The first published inventory of the garden, in 1670, listed about 1,600 species.

Now, the garden contains about 15,000 specimens representing more than 6,000 species of plants. It consists of nine plots surrounding the Institute of Botany: an arboretum, tropical greenhouse, cold greenhouse, the Bary Greenhouse, a greenhouse of grasses, a pond, a systematic garden, ecological plantings, and valuable plants.

5. Parc des Contades (Contades Park):

Created in 1764, this public park in Strasbourg has undergone many stages of construction, destruction, and renovation. The last modification works date back to 1954 when the Great Synagogue was built. The park is perfect for strolls and has children’s play areas, sports fields, pétanque, and ping-pong tables.

6. Jardin des deux Rives (The Garden of Two Shores):

This is a cross-border public park that connects the cities of Strasbourg in France and Kehl in Germany. It’s located on either side of the river Rhine, with a footbridge connecting the two sides. Originally, there were two parks on either side of the Rhine, and the idea of a cross-border park was born in 1995 with the main goal of promoting harmonization.

Work on both sides began in 2002, with landscape designer Rüdiger Brosk from Germany and architect Marc Mimram from France working on both sides to finish the project on time. The inauguration took Place in April 2004. Since 2005, the Strasbourg Philharmonic Orchestra has organized a large outdoor concert in the park every summer: the Deux Rives Symphony.

7. Parc du Heyritz (Heyritz Park):

This public park is near the civil hospital and the Place de l’Étoile. In 2010, the city of Strasbourg decided to turn the old wild green spaces around the hospital into a park and the park was inaugurated in 2014. The park has a water mirror fountain, a playground and an apparatus area.

8. Bibliothèque nationale de France (The National and University Library):

The present-day library building was opened in 1895 after the destruction of the municipal library and the city’s archives during the Siege of Strasbourg. The German Empire founded this library in June 1872, and the library’s collection grew speedily due to donations from all over Europe and the United States.

After the city’s return to French authority, debate arose over whether to keep the library or renovate it. Eventually, the government decided to keep the library. The library now holds about 3 million volumes, the second-largest collection in France.

9. André-Malraux Media Library:

This public community library is the largest in eastern France. It is located in a former port building and was inaugurated in 2008. The media library occupies six floors, five of which are open to the Public.

Festivals and Events in Strasbourg

Strasbourg hosts multiple festivals and events throughout the year, some of which take Place in the city’s Music and Dance district.

1. Festival Musica (September – October):

This celebration of contemporary classical music is Strasbourg’s most famous festival. It is a testament to the city’s long and rich musical history, and all genres of music are played to entertain visitors.

The festival features orchestral pieces, jazz, rock, and multimedia creations. It is based on two principles: Creation and Freedom. Both artists and the Public are free to experiment with different styles of music and question their understanding of music. The festival has been held annually since 1983.

2. Carnaval de Strasbourg (March):

Makeup, costumes, and music are the three pillars of any carnival, and this one is no different. Thousands of entertainers surround the procession through the city streets.

This carnival is very important in this part of the country as it marks the end of Winter and the beginning of Spring. Celebrators continue their celebrations in clubs after the parade is over. Participation in the carnival is free.

3. Nuit des Musees (May):

Museum Night is a nationwide initiative that encourages the city’s and university museums to open their doors to the public free of charge. It has been well received in Strasbourg.

Special activities such as public readings, workshops and talks add more life to the convention’s program. Music and light shows accompany this event in many of Strasbourg’s beautiful buildings.

4. Bastille Day (14 June):

This national day commemorates the fall of the Bastille and the beginning of the French Revolution. It is celebrated with a fantastic fireworks show.

5. Le Vaisseau Science Exhibition (August – September):

Held every year, the exhibition of Le Vaisseau is dedicated to re-introducing science to young people. Subjects such as visual disabilities, botany, and the human body were among the themes discussed in the exhibition.

Strasbourg at Christmas – Connolly Cove

6. European Fantastic Film Festival (September):

This film festival has Been held every year since 2008. It focuses on fantasy, science fiction, and horror films and attracts visitors worldwide. Since 2009, the festival has started its events with the Great Strasbourg Zombie Walk, which has made it the largest one in Europe.

7. Jazz d’Or (November):

This celebration of the best European jazz players —especially French players—has essential links to Germany. The festival holds around 30 concerts in 10 locations around the city with different nationalities: French, German, and American, with various jazz styles.

8. Christkindelsmärik or Christmas Market (November – December):

Held since 1570, this Christmas market is one of the oldest in Europe. Vendors in the city prepare for this market months in advance. The little chalet huts in Place Broglie, Place de la Cathedrale, and other streets are illuminated and lined with vendors. Goods in this famous market vary from snacks to a vast array of gifts, many of which are locally produced.

With over 300 stalls, this market attracts more than a million and a half visitors every year. You will find stalls all around the city so you can enjoy sightseeing and stocking on your favourite shopping items during your time in Strasbourg.

Strasbourg Cuisine

You can’t be in a multi-cultural city without trying its signature dishes.

1. Flammekueche:

Known as tarte flambée in French, this pizza-looking dish will accommodate your meaty or vegan preferences. It’s made by rolling a very thin dough into a circle or rectangle, covering it with crème fraiche, onions, and lardons if you’re not a vegetarian, and then cooking it in a wood-fired oven. You can also find it with extra additions like mushrooms or cheese, especially the local Munster cheese.

2. Spätzle:

Consisting of dense pasta, almost like gnocchi, this dish might not be exclusive to Strasbourg, but you will find it with the city’s touch. Munster cheese, ham, lardons, and other garnishes are available.

3. Kougelhopf:

The best way to start your day is by eating a traditional kougelhopf. It’s similar in taste and texture to French brioche but with the addition of dried fruits and almonds. The uniquBakingparticula similar to that of making cu

Because of its unique shape, you can easily spot it in the windows of local bakeries. If you’d like to eat it like the locals, it’s best with a strong espresso. However, it tastes just as good with tea or hot chocolate.

4. Choucroute garnie:

This dish is the most filling among Strasbourg dishes, which are equally delicious. It’s made from fermented cabbage cooked with Riesling and infused with flavours such as garlic and juniper berries. The dish is served with local sausages (Strasbourg sausage and Morteau are popular choices) and some potatoes if you’d like.

5. Pain d’épices:

Although pain d’épices is mostly associated with the Christmas season, it can be enjoyed at any time of the year in Strasbourg. Similar to a gingerbread cake, it’s made with honey and a mix of spices, such as ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and anise.

This combination of spices radiates warmth, especially during the freezing Alsace winters. A thick slice of pain d’épices is the perfect component of a goûter, the French tradition of enjoying a sweet treat with a hot drink in the afternoon.

The aroma of these pain d’épices will engulf you in the warmest sensations, promising you that the longer you stay in Strasbourg, the more you’ll enjoy your time.

Bienvenue à Strasbourg!