10 Best Things to Do in Strasbourg

Also known as the Quartier des Tanneurs, La Petite France (the Little France) is a historic neighbourhood located at the western end of the Grande Île (the Big Island). It's easy to find in the centre of Strasbourg. Surrounded by the River Ill, the whole Grande Île is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

The Petite France was, during the Middle Ages, a district occupied by tanners, fishermen and millers. It’s home to well-preserved medieval architecture remnants including half-timbered buildings, narrow cobblestoned lanes, and covered bridges. There are many quaint bistros to stop at for a snack and a drink during your stroll.

Erected in the early 11th century, Cathédrale Notre Dame de Strasbourg is, at 142 metres, one of the tallest churches in the world. During its long history, this remarkable building has been modified from its original Romanesque style by the addition of Gothic architectural elements that make it a piece of art as stunning as it is impressive. Stained glass windows from the 12th century, the St. Pancrace's altar from the 16th century, and an astronomical clock from the 17th century, are just a few of the highlights of the Strasbourg Cathedral.

Grande Île (Grand Island) is great for learning about Strasbourg's history, as you can explore historical monuments and period houses along its canals. The UNESCO World Heritage site has half-timbered houses, private mansions, and religious sanctuaries dating back to the 15th century. 

Start your day in this open-air museum with a tour of Place de l’Homme de Fer, cross old bridges like Ponts Couverts and Pont Saint-Martin, before unwinding in Place Kléber, the island's central square. Must-sees on Grande Île include Strasbourg Cathedral, Palais Rohan, and St Thomas' Church.

The Barrage Vauban (Vauban Dam) was built at the end of the 17th century to defend Strasbourg from invaders through its capacity to flood the southern access to the city. Today, it’s at the same time a witness of the engineering genius of Vauban and a place that houses ancient plaster casts and copies of statues from the Palais Rohan and the cathedral. The highlight of the Vauban Dam is its rooftop terrace that offers picture-perfect views of the River Ill and of the Petite France.

Parc de l’Orangerie is a 26-hectare public park established at the end of the 18th century in the northeast of the city. The park owes its name to the orange trees offered by the Republicans to the city hall of Strasbourg after they stole them at the Bouxwiller Castle during the French Revolution. Today, the park is a serene place for a stroll. You’ll find a zoo, a bowling green, children’s playgrounds, pétanque and sports fields, and a Michelin-star restaurant named Le Buerehiesel. You can even rent a small boat for a romantic cruise on the lake.

Settled in a splendidly restored 5-storey timber-framed building, the Alsatian Museum invites you to discover and learn more about the local history and culture. Despite a rather haphazard layout, the museum is pleasant to explore. It’s home to an impressive collection of traditional Alsatian clothing, utensils, furniture, tools and toys, most of them dating back 2 centuries or more. Booklets and recorded tours with headphones in multiple languages are available at the ticket desk. Do not miss the inner courtyard, which is a popular place to take photos.

Le Vaisseau is a museum of science and technology located just south of the city centre. It’s a cool place to take your children as it was especially designed to introduce science and in a fun and educational way, primarily to children aged 3 to 15. At Le Vaisseau, you’ll go through 6 permanent exhibits, each of them dedicated to a topic as following: ‘being human’, ‘the animals’, ‘I build’, ‘water’, ‘log’hic’ and ‘the garden’. Over 100 interactive elements are at hand for you and your little ones to discover science in a recreational way. 

One of the oldest districts in Strasbourg, Quartier Krutenau sits southeast of the Grande Île from which it’s separated by an arm of the Ill River. Featuring nicely restored half-timbered houses, it’s nowadays a lively district filled with contemporary style bars and restaurants, fashionable boutiques and art galleries. After dark, head to Ze Trou in Rue des Couples if you fancy to sip a few cocktails before to go to dance at the Stand Up in Rue des Bouchers. 

Officially named Christkindelsmärik, the Christmas Market in Strasbourg is held every year from end of November until the end of December in front of Strasbourg Cathedral. The atmosphere of this market is simply magical, especially at night when the streets and Christmas decorative ornaments are illuminated. Featuring festive ambiance and good choice of local products, you’ll be taken by the scents of gingerbread and mulled wine while roaming through the stalls. Be aware that this market is one of the most attended in Europe, so you should book your hotel as early as possible if you want to stay at walking distance from it.

The Théâtre Alsacien de Strasbourg is a theatre that opened in 1898 within the city’s grand and imposing opera house. The tradition of performing in the Alsace dialect predates this milestone moment by many centuries. Towards the end of the 19^th century, frustrated by existing theatre productions in the city, a group of committed individuals vowed to create a space where Alsace culture could be celebrated and enjoyed.

Today, it’s as popular as ever, offering a varied programme of comedies, dramas and plays. However, if you’re a visitor, you might need more than a smattering of the local lingo to understand what’s happening on stage. Showtimes vary according to each performance schedule.