Discover Strasbourg in north-eastern France

You might know Strasbourg as the home of the European Parliament, but there’s so much more to discover in this most cosmopolitan of French cities. From its picture-perfect historic heart to elegant parks and waterways, there’s no end of things to do and places to visit in Strasbourg. Make sure your holiday in Strasbourg gets off to a perfect start by choosing LeShuttle for your 35-minute crossing from Calais to Folkestone.

Is Strasbourg worth visiting? 

Strasbourg is well known for its architectural and cultural appeal, and its wealth of history. The Grand-Île, the medieval old town encircled by waterways, was the first city centre to become a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its cathedral is a Gothic masterpiece and has the fourth tallest spire in the world. 

Strasbourg is also a fantastic place to visit as a family. Nestled in the centre of the mountainous Alsace region, there are no end of outdoor pursuits to enjoy, from cycling to kayaking. It also boasts many museums, shopping opportunities and authentic local food. If you've always wanted to visit Strasbourg, now's the time to explore this amazing city and its surroundings.

A view of the Saint Paul church and the river Ill, Strasbourg

Drive to Strasbourg from Calais

From the LeShuttle Calais terminal, it takes around six hours to get to Strasbourg depending on your route – you can hurry along the autoroutes to maximise your time in Alsace, or take in the sights along the way. 

The quickest route takes you through Reims, historic coronation city of the kings of France, and the amazing eco-friendly Metz with its beautiful parks. A slight detour south will take you through beautiful Nancy, former capital of Lorraine – look out for the golden gate crowning the fountain in Place Stanislas. You’ll pay tolls on this route.

Or, if you want to get into the multicultural spirit before you arrive, leave Calais to the east to travel down the length of Belgium, through Luxembourg and across a corner of Germany before returning to France and your destination.

Things to do in Strasbourg

Landmarks and attractions

Strasbourg cathedral

Victor Hugo called it a ‘gigantic and delicate marvel’. Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Strasbourg towers over the city and can be seen from across the Alsace plains. It took over 400 years to build from the local red sandstone, which is marked with the scratched signatures of thousands of previous travellers. The Gothic tower is 142 metres high, which made the cathedral the world’s tallest building for over 200 years. Admission to the cathedral is free, but you can pay to climb the 320 steps to the viewing platform, 66 metres up, giving panoramic views as far as the Vosges mountains and the Black Forest. 

Strasbourg cathedral by night

Grand-Île and La Petite France

Gently defended by the diverging River Ill, Strasbourg’s well-preserved historic island is a lovely maze of cobbled streets, half-timbered buildings, delightful squares and waterfront lanes. The heart of this most historic neighbourhood is the Petite France district. Once home to the city’s tanners, millers and fishermen, today it’s the place to browse patisseries and gift shops and take your time over lunch or dinner in one of the numerous cafés and restaurants. In the Grand-Île you’ll also find the Place Kléber, the main city square, the cathedral, the Barrage Vauban and many of the city’s most celebrated palaces and museums. 

Barrage Vauban

Also known as the ‘Great Lock’, the Barrage Vauban is a dam built in 1690 to protect Strasbourg from invading forces. The dam could raise the water level of the river and flood the southern part of the city. It was used in this way in 1870 during the Franco-Prussian war. The dam features a covered walkway, which is open to the public for free and gives superb views of the Ponts Couverts bridge complex, dating from the 13th century.

The Ponts Couverts (covered bridges), Strasbourg

Palais Rohan

A palace originally built as luxurious living quarters for bishops and cardinals, the Palais Rohan is notable for being a royal and imperial residence. The Empress Joséphine, wife of Napoleon Bonaparte, stayed there several times. It now houses three of Strasbourg’s most fascinating museums of archaeology, the decorative arts and fine arts. The museums are open all year round and are included in the price of the Strasbourg city card, which gives admission to all of the city’s museums for a 7-day period. 

European Parliament

Located in the north-east of Strasbourg in the Wacken and Orangerie district, the European Parliament building is free to visit. The Parliament sits 12 times a year, and these ‘plenary sessions’ are open to the public. If you want to attend a session in the Parliament chamber, you should book in advance. This isn’t essential at other times, and in addition there are numerous attractions, events and exhibitions to visit in the building. 

The European Parliament has been based in Strasbourg since 1999

See the storks of Strasbourg

For centuries synonymous with the region, storks almost died out here in the 1970s – but after a programme to reintroduce them to the Alsace these elegant, unmistakable birds are making a comeback. Many storks now stay in Alsace throughout the year, feeding in the city’s waterways and marshes. They nest on chimney pots, tall trees and roofs, so if you get to spot a stork in Strasbourg consider yourself blessed, because they are harbingers of good luck.

Musee Alsacien

You’ll be transported back in time in this museum chronicling the way people in the Alsace once lived. This recreation of a traditional Alsatian home from centuries gone by features authentic furniture and clothing, and anyone walking through into the cobbled courtyard will feel the bustle of modern life slip immediately away. The pair of galleried half-timbered buildings, entwined with greenery, are almost worth the entrance price alone.

MM Park France

Military history buffs will love this incredible collection of army vehicles, at a visitor  attraction around 20 minutes drive from central Strasbourg. On display are tanks, aircraft, jeeps, boats and other vehicles, along with military uniforms, armaments and general memorabilia from armed combat. Much of the collection is of material from World War II, a reminder that as peaceful as this region seems now, it was fought over fiercely in 1944 and 1945. 

Parks and outdoor spaces

Parc de l’Orangerie

Strasbourg’s largest public park offers peaceful and elegant surroundings in which to unwind and relax. Among its attractions is the Joséphine Pavilion, dedicated to the Empress, who was very fond of the park during her time in the city. People love to stroll along the landscaped winding paths, and admire the lake and waterfall. Parc de l’Orangerie is also home to a stork repopulation centre, which has played such an important part in storks returning to the city. 

The storks of Parc l’Orangerie

Strasbourg canals

In a city defined by waterways, what better thing to do in Strasbourg than take a canal boat tour around the Grand-Île? There are several companies that run sightseeing tours, with cruises of varying lengths, some going just around the  Grand-Île, others as far as the European Parliament and beyond. You’ll get a great  view of the picturesque buildings and bridges, with a headphone commentary in your own language. 

Food and drink

Being so close to Germany – the border is the River Rhine, on the outskirts of the city – gives a Teutonic taste to Strasbourg cuisine. Sauerkraut with sausages and tarte flambée (a pizza-like flatbread with toppings like bacon and onions) are popular dishes, more bars serve German-style wheat beer here than elsewhere in France, and the wine lists will be full of the local Reisling, Gewürztraminer and Pinot Gris. For a Michelin star experience with a difference, why not try Le Buerehiesel, the half-timbered restaurant in the Parc de l’Orangerie?

Shopping

Strasbourg has everything the shopper needs – department stores and malls, artisan stores and high end boutiques, as well as a profusion of outdoor markets  in the Grand-Île. The big shopping streets are Grand’ Rue, Rue des Grandes Arcades and Rue de la Haute-Montée. Don’t miss the huge market on Place Broglie held on Wednesdays and Fridays, or if you’re in the city at the weekend, you’ll find a popular farmers market on Saturdays in Rue de la Douane. 

Seasonal events

Strasbourg’s Christmas market dates back to 1570

One of Strasbourg's many nicknames is 'The Capital of Christmas'. Its Christmas market is one of the oldest and best loved in France, and has been celebrated since 1570. Focused on Place de la Cathédrale, the market spills out through the cobbled streets of the old town, with over 300 wooden chalets selling all manner of festive gifts, seasonal produce and delicious food and drink. The Christmas tree on Place Kléber is a highlight for many visitors, and other attractions include Christmas riverboat cruises.