Strasbourg
Visit Strasbourg with its Notre-Dame cathedral, its Petite France district and its famous Christmas market!
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Strasbourg
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Strasbourg
Visit Strasbourg: the Alsatian capital on the Ill
Located in Alsace, in eastern France, Strasbourg is home to the European Parliament, which holds its plenary sessions there. Its historic centre, the Grande Île, has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1988, and the listed area was extended in 2017 to part of the Neustadt, the district built from 1880.
What to see in Strasbourg?
Everything starts on the Grande Île, which is easy to explore on foot. Begin with Notre-Dame Cathedral and its surroundings, then head to Place Kléber, a large shopping square and meeting point for locals. A few minutes away, Place Broglie is one of the historic sites of the Christmas market.
End with a stroll along the water in the Petite France district, on the banks of the Ill, where half-timbered houses are reflected in the canals. If you visit in November-December, our Strasbourg Christmas market guide covers the squares and practical tips.
What are the must-sees in Strasbourg?
- ⛪ Notre-Dame Cathedral and its square
- 🏛️ The Grande Île, UNESCO-listed historic centre
- 🏡 The Petite France and its half-timbered houses
- 🎄 Place Kléber, home of the Grand Sapin at Christmas
- 🛍️ Place Broglie, birthplace of the Christkindelsmärik
- 🌉 The Covered Bridges
- 🏰 The Palais Rohan
- 🖼️ The Museum of Fine Arts
- 🏙️ The Neustadt, the German quarter
- 🇪🇺 The European quarter and the European Parliament
How long should you spend in Strasbourg?
Two days are enough for the centre: one for the cathedral, the squares and the Christmas market in season, another for the Petite France, museums and the Neustadt. A third day lets you explore the rest of Alsace.
What is the prettiest part of Strasbourg?
The Petite France, on the Grande Île, is the district people remember first: canals, Ill riverbanks and half-timbered houses, all on foot and car-free.
What to see around Strasbourg?
The Haut-Kœnigsbourg castle, in Orschwiller, is a classic excursion from Strasbourg. To go further, our 3-day Alsace itinerary suggests more stops, from villages to cities.
Visit Strasbourg: official sites
Frequently asked questions
The historic centre is best explored on foot. The tram serves the main districts, and the central station is about a 10-minute walk from the Grande Île.
Two days are enough to see the historic centre on the Grande Île, the cathedral, the Petite France and the main museums. A third day lets you explore the rest of Alsace.
Yes: the historic centre has been UNESCO-listed since 1988, the Petite France is explored along the water, and the city is the seat of the European Parliament.
Strasbourg can be visited all year round, and winter is very popular for its Christmas market, held each year from late November to 24 December. Check the dates of the current edition on the city’s official website.