Here’s a list of the 15 best things to do in Strasbourg (France), along with famous landmarks, museums, and other points of interest.
Petite France
Petite France is the most historic neighborhood of Strasbourg. It is part of the Grande Île UNESCO World Heritage Site and draws a large number of visitors each year.
The heart of atmospheric Petite France is the Maison des Tanneurs, the city’s most iconic half-timbered structure, and the Benjamin-Zix square, a popular meeting place for residents as it offers a wide arrange of cafes, bars, and shops.
This charming neighborhood is characterized not only by its beautiful old houses but also by the canals running through this quarter. It’s a wonderful place to go for a stroll.
Notre-Dame de Strasbourg cathedral
Strasbourg’s cathedral is the most important landmark and symbol of Christianity in the city. The 142 m high church was once the tallest building in the world and was built during the 12th and 15th centuries in a beautiful mix of Gothic and Romanesque styles of architecture.
The highlight and most impressive part of the Notre-Dame des Strasbourg is its west façade. It can be viewed from the Rue Mercière, particularly the Rose Window is marvelous.
But the cathedral also offers highlights on the inside, such as an Astronomical Clock and the so-called Emperor Windows (depicting 19 Roman emperors).
Parc de l’Orangerie
The Parc de l’Orangerie is not just the city’s oldest park but it’s also the most popular. This park is frequented throughout the day by locals and is particularly known for being a great place for jogging as well as a site to enjoy some natural sceneries.
There is also a lake to be found here that can be used for boating. Another highlight is the ”Pavilon Joséphine”, this elegant structure hosts many exhibitions and special events.
Barrage Vauban
Barrage Vauban is a dam that was used not just for creating an artificial lake but also as a defensive structure. It was built in the 17th century and is characterized by the use of pink Vosges sandstones as its main building material.
The Barrage Vauban acted as a fortification during the Franco-Prussian War in the late 19th century. Today the dam acts as an exhibition space and visitors can find a glorious viewing terrace here as well.
Adjacent to the dam is the Strasbourg Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art.
Palais de Rohan
Palais Rohan, built in the 18th century, is a former residence of bishops and cardinals of the House of Rohan, a noble family that played a significant part in the history of France.
The palace is located right next to the river Ill and has become a cultural symbol of the city and acts as a great example of French Baroque architecture.
Many of the visitors not only come here to experience the marvelous beauty of the palace but to visit the various museums located here, including the Museum of Decorative Arts, the Museum of Archaeology, and the Museum of Fine Arts.
European Parliament Strasbourg
Strasbourg is one of the seats of the European Parliament and is housed in an impressive glass structure built in 1999. The parliament enjoys a scenic location on the river Ill.
The site is open to the public and can be visited on guided tours. There are also temporary exhibitions found here throughout the year. This building offers the unique opportunity to visit one of the world’s biggest transnational parliaments.
Horloge Astronomique
The Horloge Astronomique (in English: Astronomical clock) is a great sight and shouldn’t be missed when coming to Strasbourg. This Renaissance masterpiece is located in Notre Dame and was created by a group of artists, mathematicians, and technicians during the middle of the 19th century.
It features animated figures which appear to the waiting audience at half past noon every day. But the Horloge Astronomique is not just interesting for its automata.
It’s also a place with astronomical features like a perpetual calendar and a display of the current position of the sun and moon. Visually the huge Pillar of Angels is one of the main highlights of the clock.
Musee Alsacien
The Musee Alsacien is dedicated to depicting the rural life of the people of the Alsace in the pre-industrial era. It was founded in 1907 and has since then made a name for itself with its beautiful collection of artifacts dating centuries ago.
Amongst the highlights of the museum are its beautifully reconstructed half-timbered houses that also serve as the museum’s facilities. The interesting history of the Alsacien Jews is also explained here.
Musee historique de la Ville de Strasbourg
The Musee Historique de la Ville de Strasbourg is a fantastic museum complex that is dedicated to both modern and contemporary art as well as decorative art and fine arts.
Due to the variety of interesting exhibitions found here, visitors often end up spending the whole day here marveling at the wide array of art offered here.
There are also museums dedicated to the glorious Notre Dame and a zoological museum to be found here, making the complex more than just a collection of art museums.
Botanical Gardens
The Botanical Gardens of Strasbourg are located at the heart of the Imperial Quarter and offer a home to nearly 6000 plant species. The gardens offer an arboretum and a greenhouse and are a real highlight for plant lovers.
Many rare trees such as the giant Sequoia and the Pecan tree can be found here. The tropical greenhouse offers an amazing selection of exotic plant species and is another draw of Strasbourg’s Botanical Gardens.
Château Musée Vodou
Voodoo castle or Château Musée Vodou as it is called in French is one of the most unique museums in France and is solely dedicated to teaching visitors about the fascinating West African Voodoo tradition.
The different religious practices including ancestor worship, witchcraft, and medicine are covered by plenty of artifacts that help to understand the beliefs upon which Voodoo is based.
Almost all the exhibits on display originate in Nigeria, Ghana, Benin, and Togo, the global Voodoo hotspot.
Historic Wine Cellar of Strasbourg Hospital
The 600-year-old wine cellar of the Strasbourg Hospital is one of the most charming of its kind and houses the oldest barrel-stored wine in the world dating to 1472.
This historic wine cellar is beautifully decorated and offers fantastic wood carvings. The museum of the wine cellar tells the interesting story of wine as medicine and explains how patients used to be given two liters of wine a day in previous centuries.
Place Gutenberg
The inventor of the book press, Gutenberg, used to live in Strasbourg between 1434 and 1444 and to honor him one of the key squares of the city was named after him, the Place Gutenberg.
This square is surrounded by beautiful Renaissance buildings including the former city hall and the Alsace Eurometropole Chamber of Commerce and Industry. It is one of the most scenic places in the entire city. There is also a statue of the great inventor to be found here.
Strasbourg Christmas Market or Christkindelsmärik
Strasbourg’s Christmas Market, often called Christkindelsmärik, is one of the most atmospheric events of the year. This market offers all you would expect: hot drinks, hearty food as well as plenty of Christmas-related souvenirs, and live music.
The market is located right at the feet of the beautiful Notre Dame and is a must-visit if you come to Strasbourg in December.
Boat tour on the canals
Strasbourg’s canals and the Ill river offer plenty of space for boat tours. The local travel agencies arrange fantastic guided tours that take you around the most scenic spots of the city while also making sure visitors learn all the interesting stories of the city from an experienced tour guide.
Many of the boat tours start at the Place de la Cathédrale. This is also a good place to buy tickets. Many of the boats used for these tours are open-topped and are perfectly designed for visitors who want to enjoy the city’s highlights from the water.
