A Franco-German Fairytale

**General map of France, showing the location of the Alsace region, where Strasbourg is located.**

The capital of the eastern Alsace region of France, Strasbourg is a quirky city with blends the past and the present in beautiful fashion. With both medieval roots and cosmopolitan charm, Strasbourg boasts an impressive range of history and interesting cultural heritage. It is the one of the capitals of the European Union, along with Brussels and Luxembourg, and sits strategically on the Rhine River, sharing a border with Germany. As such, Strasbourg is often seen as a cultural bridge between France and Germany, with the city changing hands between the two countries many times in the past few centuries. You won’t be disappointed by this fantastic city!

Official Languages: French and Alsatian (a regional language similar to Swiss German)

Best time to visit: Fantastic all year round, especially around Christmastime for the famous Christmas markets.

Budget: $$$ (moderately expensive)

English Level: Good but less prevalent than other regions of France.

Strasbourg Sights and Culture

**Alsatian architecture is characterized by timber framed construction and intensely colored houses. The contrast between the wooden supports and the color makes the structure “pop.”**

Strasbourg is a city deeply connected to its history; you cannot experience it without being aware of how the fragments of old and new fit together in a fine balance. French and German elements push and pull at each other like waves on the seashore, but what is not immediately revealed is the very turbulent events that have shaped the culture of Strasbourg over the course of 150 years. It was French until the Germans took it at the end of the Franco-Prussian War in 1871. Then French again after German defeat in World War I. Then German during the Nazi occupation of World War II. And finally back French control since 1945. The result of all these occupations and changes is the intense “steeping” of the city in both French and German culture. Even the regional language of Alsace, where Strasbourg is located, is more similar to German than French!

Strasbourg Cathedral

**The Notre-Dame of Strasbourg. I love this photo because it captures how overpowering the cathedral is, in terms of its design.**

The Notre-Dame of Strasbourg is, in the words of Victor Hugo, “a prodigy of the gigantesque and the delicate.” One look at this massive cathedral and you’ll understand why. The Strasbourg Cathedral towers over the city, and at 466 feet tall, it was the world’s tallest building from 1647 to 1874. A masterpiece of Gothic architecture, the central façade of the building is designed with hundreds of representations from the Bible sitting below the beautiful rose window. Depending on the time of day, the sandstone used to construct the cathedral will change color and glow like a beacon.

La Petite France Quarter

**There are many hidden corners to explore in this city! Try to get lost and discover how enchanting Strasbourg can be.**

By and far the most picturesque section of Strasbourg is the Petite France district, located in the heart of the city. Much of the historic center of Strasbourg sits on a large island (Grande Île” in French) created by the Ill River (a tributary of the Rhine) and a canalized arm of the Ill which bends around the historic center. When the Ill river enters the Petite France district, it splits into smaller tributaries which flow through the neighborhood, creating waterways similar to those of Amsterdam or Bruges.

**Petite-France district of Strasbourg.**

The Covered Bridges

**Covered Bridges, with view of Strasbourg Cathedral in background.**

The gateway to the Petite France district, the Covered Bridges are a series of stone bridges with towers that originally served to protect the city from the invasions of German kingdoms. The Covered Bridges are a great place to get a panoramic view of the Old Town, where you can see the houses of Petite France as well as the Strasbourg Cathedral in one sweeping background shot.

European Parliament

As one of the official seats of the European Union, Strasbourg is home to the impressive European Parliament. It consists of five different buildings. The main building housing the Council of Europe is the most interesting, in the shape of a giant circular disk made of glass, iron, and wood. The complex design of the building alone warrants a visit, just to see the intricate architectural features. Greeting you at the entrance are flags representing all the nations of the European Union. Maybe you can guess them all! You can also enter the Parliament building and tour some of the rooms of interest, like the hemicycle (where Parliament votes on measures in the EU) as well as a state of the art cinema with short films about the role of the EU in daily life.

Elsewhere in Alsace…

While Strasbourg may be the capital of the Alsace region, visitors to the city are lucky to have several smaller towns close by that merit a day trip or two in the south of the region. This is especially important for those looking to do the famous Alsatian Wine Tour, which winds all the way down the region through the Vosges Mountains. The region specializes in Riesling wines. I had the opportunity to stay in two of those towns, Colmar and Riquewihr. You can reach Colmar easily by train from Strasbourg, about an hour journey. Riquewihr is a little bit more difficult to access because it’s a remote village with few public transportation options. I would suggest a car or, if you dare, a look at the bus schedule from Colmar.

Colmar, France

**Quai de la Poisonnerie (Fisherman’s District) in Colmar.**

If you were to take Strasbourg, shrink it into a town, and then inject it with steroids, the result would be Colmar. This beautiful little town features colorful, half-timbered Alsatian houses, canals, and flower covered windowsills everywhere you go. The magic jumps out at you on every cobbled street you walk down. It has been called a real life fairytale and one step into the center of Colmar will have you convinced it is so.

**A view of the Little Venice district in Colmar.**

The most important places to visit in Colmar are the Quai de la Poissonerie and the Little Venice neighborhood. The Quai de la Poissonerie, or the Fisherman’s District, is the location of the iconic image of the town of Colmar, with rows of colored houses hugging a small canal. Little Venice is right next to the Fisherman’s district, a reference to the canals of the famed Italian city which create a romantic atmosphere in this corner of the town.

**Views like this can be seen anywhere in Colmar. That’s part of the magic of the town!**

Riquewihr, France

Riquewihr is a small village at the base of the Vosges mountains near Colmar, and an important stop on the Alsatian wine tour route. If you are a fan of Disney movies, one step into Riquewihr will tell you that it was the inspiration for Belle’s “little town” in Beauty and the Beast. The medieval village is one of the most beautiful in all of France. Check out the boutique shops, restaurants, and the old clock tower for a day trip you won’t forget.

Strasbourg, France