Strasbourg Hotels

Strasbourg is the seat of such weighty institutions as the Council of Europe and theEuropean Parliament, which explains why so many of its inhabitants look rather serious. Or maybe they’re just worried that with so much architectural splendour (Strasbourg was the first entire city to be granted World Heritage status), they’ll be overrun by visitors wanting to stay if they look like they’re having too much fun. Notre Dame Cathedral in the heart of the Grand Ile is a highlight, but there’s also enough after-dark energy in Strasbourg to get even the most boring bureaucrat bopping!

Strasbourg's Top 10

Strasbourg History

• Cathedral of Our Lady of Strasbourg - A Roman Catholic cathedral considered one of the best examples of late Gothic architecture.
• Kriegstor - This war gate is an example of Prussian military architecture that was popular during the 1880s.
• Barrage Vauban - A weir built in 1700 that is several stories high and contains many sculptures and a terrace on the roof.
• Palais du Rhin - A huge building with gardens found in the German section of the city.
• Opera National du Rhin - Renovated in 1873 after the German bombing.

Strasbourg Art & Culture

• Musee de l’Oeuvre Notre-Dame - An extensive collection of medieval and Renaissance art.
• Cabinet des Estampes et des Dessins - The museum in Strasbourg houses lithography, drawings, woodcuts and engravings.
• Le Vaisseau - A technology and science centre specifically for children.
• Musee Alsacien - A museum dedicated to showing all aspects of Alsatian life.
• Musee de la Navigation sur le Rhin - An old shop that shows the history of navigation on the Rhine River.

Strasbourg Shopping

• Place des Halles - More than 100 restaurants and shops.
• Rue Hellebardes and Gutenberg - Streets that have designer clothing stores for both men and women.
• Marche aux Puces - This flea market is open on Wednesdays and Saturdays at the rue de Vieil-Hopital.
• Rivetoil - Contains higher-budget shops and cafes located between the tram stops of Etoile bourse and Etoile Polygone.
• NORMA - An outlet that offers cheap groceries and local beers and wines of Strasbourg.

Gay & Lesbian Strasbourg

• Bar Le zoo - The local gay bar that opens late and stays open all night long in Strasbourg.
• So Divine - A gay and lesbian spot with three floors devoted to good food and wine.
• JJ’s Club - Small and gay-friendly bar with a dance floor and a crowd of all ages.
• Antracte Cruise Club - A gay sex club with a video room, playground, private cubicles and more.
• Offshore Club - A gay club with DJs and dancing all night long.

Strasbourg Events

Hundreds of free outdoor art exhibits fill the city in August for the Street Art Festival, accompanied by clowns and brass bands.

Food stalls spring up all around Strasbourg in July for the European Food Festival. Creamy cheeses, cool beers and freshly baked bread lure in foodies from around the region.

Colourful lights and fireworks light up Notre Dame Cathedral each night of the Ete a Strasbourg in June.

September’s European Bric-A-Brac and Antiques Fair at the Parc des Expositions sells loads of trinkets and antiques from all over Europe.

The Festival Musica puts a Strasbourg spin on modern classical music at various locations throughout September and October.

When To Go

• Winter in Strasbourg can be cold and snowy, but this is also Strasbourg at its most beautiful.
• Flowers (and tourism) blooms from March to May.
• Summer (June to August) brings the biggest crowds and warmest weather. Temperatures occasionally top 30ºC (86ºF).

Getting Around

• Trams are a great way to get around the Grand Ile, with four main lines starting at Place de l’Homme de Fer.
• Shuttle buses or city trams run every 40 minutes from the airport to town.
• You can get to Paris by train in only 2 hours 20 minutes.

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