City map

Quick view

Top 10 sights

France
General knowledge

Nightlife

Restaurants

Calendar of events

Hotels
We recommend, you book at

Weather & best time to visit

15:00 UTC

Phone calls & Internet

Shopping in Strasbourg

Find rental car

Travel etiquette
How to fit in

Health

Visa & Immigration

Share city guide with friends

Strasbourg – a brief overview
The capital of Alsace is one of Europe’s most beautiful cities and a gem of a place to explore. Sitting on the Franco-German border, its unique combination of cultures has infused its architecture, cuisine and dialect. During a long, tumultuous history its medieval centre – the Grand Île – has remained wonderfully preserved, with the half-timbered houses, narrow
alleyways and canals of the Petite France district earning it UNESCO World Heritage status. It’s the perfect backdrop for one of Europe’s best Christmas markets. But Strasbourg isn’t just a pretty face – as a thriving university town and the seat of the European Parliament, it holds a vital place in 21st-century Europe.
Flight and accommodation
Best price search


Top 10 sights in Strasbourg

Cathédrale Notre Dame de Strasbourg
Strasbourg
France
Tel: 03 8832 7578
Show on map
Opening times:
Daily 0700-1120 and 1240-1900
Towering above surrounding houses, Strasbourg’s thousand-year-old cathedral is a Gothic masterpiece in pink sandstone. Inside, admire the beautiful stained glass windows and astronomical clock.
Petite France
67000 Strasbourg
France
Show on map
The most photographed district of Strasbourg is where craftspeople plied their trade in the Middle Ages. Beautifully preserved, it’s a warren of narrow lanes and flower-lined waterways.
Barrage Vauban
67000 Strasbourg
France
Tel: 03 8860 9716
Show on map
Opening times:
Daily 0900-1930
An impressive example of 17th-century engineering, this lock has a grassy terraced roof sporting fine views over the canals and covered bridges of Petite France.
Jardin des Deux Rives
67000 Strasbourg
France
Show on map
Opening times:
Daily 0700-midnight
Built in 2004 as an expression of Franco-German friendship, this 60-hectare park and promenade sits on the banks of the River Rhine, which divides the two countries. Cross into Germany via the impressive suspension bridge.
Parlement Européen
67070 Strasbourg
France
Tel: 03 8817 5184
Show on map
Opening times:
Times vary; see website for details
Strasbourg was selected as the home of the European Parliament in 1992. Visitors are welcome on guided tours of the building, and even allowed to sit in on MEPs’ decision-making plenary sessions. Book ahead, as places are limited.
Musée Alsacien
67000 Strasbourg
France
Tel: 03 8852 5001
Show on map
Opening times:
Wed-Mon 1000-1800
This fascinating museum provides insight into rural Alsatian life in the 18th and 19th centuries, with exhibits including clothes, furniture, ceramics, games and reconstructed workshops.
Palais Rohan
67000 Strasbourg
France
Tel: 03 8852 5008
Show on map
Opening times:
Wed-Mon 1000-1800
Known as a mini Versailles, this 18th-century palace was built for the city’s prince-bishops. It now houses three museums including Strasbourg’s Fine Arts Museum.
Musée d’Art Moderne et Contemporain (MAMCS)
67000 Strasbourg
France
Tel: 03 8823 3131
Show on map
Opening times:
Tue-Sun 1000-1800
This riverside museum in Petite France boasts artworks by Monet, Picasso and Kandinsky, plus an extensive photography and graphic art collection. Its terraced café has fantastic views.
Parc de l’Orangerie
67000 Strasbourg
France
Show on map
This beautiful park, the oldest in Strasbourg, is home to storks. Once a rare species, this elegant bird was reintroduced to the city in the 1970s and has since become a symbol of Alsace.
Jardin Botanique
67000 Strasbourg
France
Tel: 03 6885 1865
Show on map
Opening times:
Mon-Fri 0800-1900
Sat-Sun 1000-1900 (May-Aug)
Mon-Fri 0800-1800
Sat-Sun 1000-1800 (Mar-Apr, Sep-Oct)
Mon-Fri 0800-1200 and 1400-1600
Sat-Sun 1400-1600 (Nov-Dec)
Belonging to Strasbourg University and dating from 1884, these beautiful gardens contain 6,000 plant species and an arboretum featuring rare trees.
Flight and accommodation
Country information
Country overview
You could spend a lifetime’s worth of holidays in France and still not feel as though you’d done the country justice. It remains the planet’s most visited tourist destination, meriting this lofty standing with an almost overwhelming mass of historical treasures, storybook landscapes and cultural idiosyncrasies. The teeming glam of Paris makes for one hell of a centrepiece, matching any city on the planet for ambiance, individuality and set-piece sights.
But the real beauty of France, in many ways, lies in the seemingly endless list of travel treats elsewhere. The country’s natural gifts are striking, with white sands, hulking mountains and fecund swathes of rolling countryside. It’s a land that has inspired dreamers and drinkers, revolutionaries and artists, gastronomes and geniuses.
Geography
France, the largest country in Western Europe, is bordered to the northwest by the English Channel (La Manche), to the northeast by Belgium and Luxembourg, to the east by Germany, Switzerland and Italy, to the south by the Mediterranean (with Monaco as a coastal enclave between Nice and the Italian frontier), to the southwest by Spain and Andorra, and to the west by the Atlantic Ocean. The country’s loose six-sided shape means it often gets referred to by the informal nickname “L’Hexagone”.
The island of Corsica, southeast of Nice, is made up of two départements. France is home to an astonishing range of scenery, from the mountain ranges of the Alps and Pyrenees to the attractive river valleys of the Loire, Rhône and Dordogne, and the flatter countryside of Normandy and the Atlantic coast.
The country has some 2,900km (1,800 miles) of coastline.
Away from the mainland and Corsica, there are a number of French-administered overseas departments and regions outside of Europe. These include Guadeloupe (an island in the Caribbean), Réunion Island (located in the Indian Ocean just east of Madagascar), French Guiana (on the northeastern coast of South America), Martinique (another island in the Caribbean) and Mayotte (an island in the Mozambique Channel).
General knowledge
Key facts
Population: 66,3 millions
Population Density (per sq km): 114
Capital: Paris.
Language
French is the official language. There are many regional dialects, but these are rapidly declining, with the exception of Basque, which is spoken as a first language by some people in the southwest, and Breton,which is spoken by some in Brittany. Many people speak at least some English.
Currency
Euro (EUR; symbol €) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of €500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5. Coins are in denominations of €2 and 1, and 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 cents.
Electricity
220 volts AC, 50Hz. Two-pin plugs are widely used.
General business opening hours
Generally Mon-Fri 0900-1200, 1400-1800.
Public Holidays
Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2018 – December 2019 period.
Note
Not all Public Holidays are observed throughout France.
2018
Jour de l’An (New Year’s Day): 1 January 2018
Vendredi Saint (Good Friday): 30 March 2018
Pâques (Easter Sunday): 1 April 2018
Lundi de Pâques (Easter Monday): 2 April 2018
Fête du Travail (Labour Day): 1 May 2018
Fête de la Victoire (Victory Day 1945): 8 May 2018
Ascension (Ascension Day): 10 May 2018
Pentecôte: (Whitsunday):20 May 2018
Lundi de Pentecôte (Whitmonday): 21 May 2018
Fête Nationale de la France (Republic Day): 14 July 2018
Assomption (Assumption Day): 15 August 2018
Toussaint (All Saints’ Day): 1 November 2018
Armistice 1918 (Armistice Day 1918):
11 November 2018
Noël (Christmas Day): 25 December 2018
2019
Jour de l’An (New Year’s Day): 1 January 2019
Vendredi Saint (Good Friday): 19 April 2019
Pâques (Easter Sunday): 21 April 2019
Lundi de Pâques (Easter Monday): 22 April 2019
Fête du Travail (Labour Day): 1 May 2019
Fête de la Victoire (Victory Day 1945): 8 May 2019
Ascension (Ascension Day): 30 May 2019
Pentecôte: (Whitsunday): 9 June 2019
Lundi de Pentecôte (Whitmonday): 10 June 2019
Fête Nationale de la France (Republic Day): 14 July 2019
Assomption (Assumption Day): 15 August 2019
Toussaint (All Saints’ Day): 1 November 2019
Armistice 1918 (Armistice Day 1918):
11 November 2019
Noël (Christmas Day): 25 December 2019
All information subject to change.
Flight and accommodation
Nightlife in Strasbourg
Thanks to Strasbourg’s Franco-German heritage, beer and wine flow freely here.
As a university town, there are plenty of places to guzzle both with abandon.
L’Épicerie
67000 Strasbourg
France
Show on map
It seems time stopped around 1940 at this wonderfully old-fashioned little bar in the Old Town.
Jeannette et les Cycleux
67000 Strasbourg
France
Show on map
This retro-themed café-bar morphs from milkshakes by day to cocktails by night.
Academie de la Bière
67000 Strasbourg
France
Show on map
Open until 0400, there’s plenty of time to try the 70 beers on offer here before shaking your bootie on the cellar dance floor.
Au Camionneur
67000 Strasbourg
France
Show on map
Restaurant, bar and live music venue, ‘Le Cam’, as it is known to the locals, is a great night out.
Le Java
67000 Strasbourg
France
Show on map
Popular with students, this club attracts top DJs on weekends and also stages cabaret and comedy nights.
Flight and accommodation
Restaurants in Strasbourg
Among Strasbourg’s wide selection of restaurants, make sure you visit a traditional winstub, which serves Alsatian specialities including flammeküche and choucroute.
Au Crocodile
67000 Strasbourg
France
Show on map
Price: Expensive
Michelin-starred chef Philippe Bohrer offers a modern fine dining experience at this classy restaurant in the heart of town.
Le Tire Bouchon
67000 Strasbourg
France
Show on map
Price: Moderate
It’s worth visiting this place for the beautiful half-timbered building alone. Luckily the traditional dishes are delicious and the wine list impressive.
Winstub Meiselocker
67000 Strasbourg
France
Show on map
Price: Moderate
Don’t let looks deceive you – this ‘traditional’ winstub is actually fairly new, with young chef Cédric Moulot presenting his modern take on classic regional dishes.
La Bourse
67000 Strasbourg
France
Show on map
Price: Cheap
Try the house flammeküche at this long-standing, belle-époque brasserie.
La Vince ‘Stub
67000 Strasbourg
France
Show on map
Price: Cheap
This cosy little place tucked down a Petite France side street serves regional dishes in a lovely atmosphere.
Flight and accommodation
Calendar of events
Carnaval de Strasbourg (Strasbourg Carnival)
February 2018
Venue: Various venues
Make-up, costumes and music are the main features of any Carnival. Dozens of dazzling floats and thousands of entertainers join the big procession through the streets of Strasbourg for this fun and festive annual event. Due to its proximity to Germany, the Carnival is particularly important in this part of France, as it marks the end of winter and the beginning of spring. The main parade sets out from the Quai du Général Koenig, winding its way to the Place Kléber two hours later. After live music acts, party-goers continue their revelry at bars and clubs long into the night.
Nuit des Musées (Museum Night)
May 2018
Venue: Various venues
Every year, for one night (usually some time in May), the city’s museums, as well the university museums, open their doors to the public free of charge between 1030 and 0100. This is a nationwide initiative, which has been very well received in Strasbourg, as special activities, such as public readings, workshops and talks complement the conventional programmes. In Strasbourg, this event is accompanied by various music and light shows on many of Strasbourg’s beautiful buildings.
Fête de la Musique (World Music Day)
21 June 2018
Venue: Various venues
This music festival takes place in all major French cities every year on the same date. First conceptualised in 1981, by the then French Minister of Culture Jack Lang, this all-day-and-night celebration of music has become one of the most popular events in Strasbourg. Artists, both professional, amateur and anything in between, all take to the street to perform in a plethora of musical styles.
National Day
14 July 2018
Venue: Strasbourg
National Day commemorates the fall of the Bastille and the beginning of French Revolution. The event is celebrated with an amazing fireworks show.
European Fantastic Film Festival
September 2018
Website
Venue: Various venues
The Strasbourg European Fantastic Film Festival (SEFFF) takes place every year in September and focuses on fantasy, science fiction and horror films. The festival was initiated in 2008 and has gained momentum since, attracting tourists and fans from around the world. The festival now kicks off with the Great Strasbourg Zombie Walk to allow fans to enact their favourite movie genre. The walk’s popularity has propelled it into one of the largest in Europe.
Festival Musica (Festival of Contemporary Music)
September – October 2018
Website
Venue: Cité de la Musique et de la Danse, and other venues
This music festival is an ode to Strasbourg’s long musical and cultural heritage, as it mixes various styles and means of expressions, from contemporary music in all its diverse forms and orchestral pieces to rock, jazz and multimedia creations. Creation and freedom are the fundamental cornerstones of this festival that invites both artists and the public to experiment and question their understanding of music and to embrace the democratisation of culture in Strasbourg.
Jazz d'Or
November 2018
Website
Venue: Various venues
A vibrant festival of the best European, especially French, contemporary jazz players – with important links to Germany. The key here is diversity: it has around 30 concerts in 10 different locations with plenty of different nationalities, from French to German to American, plus different jazz styles.
Christkindelsmärik (Christmas Market)
November – December 2018
Website
Venue: Around Place de la Cathédrale, place du Château and place du Corbeau
This famous Christmas Market is fantastic. The little chalets huts that line the Place Broglie, Place de la Cathédrale and other side streets have been going for years. Vendors prepare for this special time months ahead and goodies can include anything from a glass of vin chaud (mulled wine) to warm snacks and a huge array of gifts, a handful of which are still produced locally. With over 300 stalls, this Christmas Market attracts more than 1.5 million visitors every year. Dotted all around the city, these markets are a great way to get into the holiday spirit and to get extra stocking-fillers.
All information subject to change. Please check the dates on the relevant event organizer’s website.
Flight and accommodation
Hotels in Strasbourg
Making the most of the gorgeous architecture in the city, Strasbourg offers modern luxury in medieval surroundings.
Le Bouclier d’Or Hotel & Spa
67000 Strasbourg
France
Show on map
Category: Expensive
Antique furnishings will make you feel like royalty in this upmarket hotel in Petite France.
Hotel Cour du Corbeau Strasbourg
67000 Strasbourg
France
Show on map
Category: Expensive
This luxury hotel is housed in a 16th-century building on the banks of the River Ill.
Romantik Hôtel Beaucour
67000 Strasbourg
France
Show on map
Category: Moderate
Oozing character, this boutique hotel occupies a former 19th-century umbrella factory.
EtC...Hôtel
67000 Strasbourg
France
Show on map
Category: Cheap
Each room is individually decorated at this extremely well-priced hotel in the Grand-Île.
Flight and accommodation
Best time to visit
Today: Sunday, 22.04.2018 15:00 UTC

sunny
temperature
29°C
wind direction
northwind speed
1.875 mphhumidity
2%7 days forecast
Monday
23.04.2018
20°C / 15°C
Tuesday
24.04.2018
24°C / 12°C
Wednesday
25.04.2018
21°C / 13°C
Thursday
26.04.2018
19°C / 12°C
Friday
27.04.2018
18°C / 9°C
Saturday
28.04.2018
17°C / 10°C
Sunday
29.04.2018
15°C / 8°C
Climate & best time to visit France
France has a temperate climate in the north; northeastern areas have a more continental climate with warm summers and colder winters. Rainfall is distributed throughout the year with some snow likely in winter. The Jura Mountains have an alpine climate. Lorraine, sheltered by bordering hills, has a relatively mild climate. There’s a Mediterranean climate in the south; mountainous areas are cooler with heavy snow in winter.
The Atlantic influences the climate of the western coastal areas from the Loire to the Basque region where the weather is temperate and relatively mild with rainfall throughout the year. Summers can be very hot and sunny – sunburn can be a risk if you’re unprepared. Inland areas are mild and the French slopes of the Pyrenees are renowned for their sunshine record. A Mediterranean climate exists on the Riviera, and in Provence and Roussillon. Weather in the French Alps is variable. Continental weather is present in Auvergne, Burgundy and the Rhône Valley. Very strong winds (such as the Mistral) can occur throughout the entire region.
Climatic variations – and in particular the long summer holiday period – mean that mainstream tourism in France peaks in July and August. If you’re visiting the country at this time, prepare to face higher-than-usual demand at major sights, attractions and coastal resorts. There’s likely to be plenty of queuing involved – some roads may even get clogged at particularly busy times.
By contrast, visiting during the low season – from October through to February or March – is not only far quieter, it also sees a drop in costs. This doesn’t apply to ski resorts, of course, which see peak demand over the winter months.
Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
absolute max | absolute min | Ø absolute min | Ø absolute min | relative humidity | Ø precipitation | days with deposit > 1mm | sunshine duration | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Jan | 15 °C | -23 °C | 3 °C | -1 °C | 86 % | 33 mm | 9 | 1.4 h |
Feb | 21 °C | -22 °C | 5 °C | 0 °C | 82 % | 34 mm | 8 | 2.8 h |
Mar | 25 °C | -16 °C | 10 °C | 1 °C | 76 % | 37 mm | 9 | 4.0 h |
Apr | 29 °C | -5 °C | 14 °C | 4 °C | 72 % | 48 mm | 10 | 5.4 h |
May | 31 °C | -2 °C | 19 °C | 8 °C | 73 % | 75 mm | 12 | 6.4 h |
Jun | 37 °C | 1 °C | 22 °C | 11 °C | 74 % | 75 mm | 11 | 7.1 h |
Jul | 37 °C | 4 °C | 24 °C | 13 °C | 72 % | 57 mm | 10 | 7.7 h |
Aug | 37 °C | 5 °C | 24 °C | 13 °C | 76 % | 68 mm | 10 | 6.9 h |
Sep | 33 °C | 0 °C | 20 °C | 10 °C | 80 % | 56 mm | 8 | 5.6 h |
Oct | 29 °C | -7 °C | 14 °C | 6 °C | 85 % | 43 mm | 8 | 3.3 h |
Nov | 21 °C | -10 °C | 8 °C | 2 °C | 86 % | 47 mm | 9 | 1.9 h |
Dec | 18 °C | -23 °C | 4 °C | 0 °C | 86 % | 40 mm | 9 | 1.4 h |
year | 37 °C | -23 °C | 14 °C | 5 °C | 79 % | 613 mm | 113 | 4.5 h |
Flight and accommodation
Phone calls & Internet
Telephone
Country code: +33
Mobile telephony and Internet
Since June 2017, EU citizens traveling within the EU, and also in Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein have been able to use their cell phones and surf the Net without incurring any extra charges: In other words, customers pay the same price for phone calls, text messages and data volume as they do at home. Restrictions do apply to the constant use of SIM cards abroad, however, and caps may be set on data packages. For full details, contact your mobile telephony provider in your country. Travelers using a SIM card from a non-EU state do not benefit from the new arrangement.
Free Internet access via Wi-Fi is possible in many busy tourist spots. When using public Wi-Fi networks, it is a wise precaution to ensure encryption of all passwords, credit card details and banking TANs entered. Use of a VPN app or security software to check the safety of a hotspot is recommended.
Flight and accommodation
Shopping in Strasbourg
Key Areas
High-street brands, designer goods and speciality shops can be found on the Grand-Île, with Rue des Hallebardes and Rue des Orfèvres being the best streets for high-end fashion. Pick up edible sweet treats at Mireille Oster (14 rue des Dentelles) and chocolatier Christian (12 rue de L’Outre).
Shopping Centres
Just outside the Grand-Île, the Place des Halles is the city’s biggest shopping centre housing all the usual high-street names including department stores Printemps and Galeries Lafayette.
Markets
Pick up a bargain at Strasbourg’s brocante (flea market) on Wednesdays and Saturdays at Rue du Vieil Hôpital and Place de la Grand Boucherie. Nearby Place du Marché aux Poissons also stages a large farmers’ market on Saturdays. But Strasbourg is mostly associated with its huge Christmas market which dates back to 1570, making it the oldest in France. Held during December on the streets around the cathedral and Place Broglie, it boasts hundreds of stalls selling handmade gifts, cinnamon biscuits, flammeküche and mulled wine.
Flight and accommodation
Traveller etiquette
Social Conventions
Shaking hands and, more familiarly, kissing both cheeks, are the usual forms of greeting. The form of personal address is simply Monsieur or Madame without a surname and it may take time to get on first-name terms. At more formal dinners, it is the most important guest or host who gives the signal to start eating. Mealtimes are often a long, leisurely experience. Casual wear is common.
Social functions, some clubs, casinos and exclusive restaurants warrant more formal attire. Evening wear is normally specified where required. Topless sunbathing is tolerated on most beaches but naturism is restricted to certain beaches – local tourist offices will advise where these are. A smoking ban for workplaces and public spaces has been in place since February 2007.
Flight and accommodation
Health
Main emergency number: 112
Food & Drink
This being France, the only real problems posed by the local food and drink are mild stomach complaints resulting from overindulgence. Tap water is safe to drink (although you’ll find a huge amount of bottled water for sale too) and cooked food, assuming it’s come from a hygienic kitchen, is certainly no more risky to consume than that of any developed country. Some travellers steer clear of unpasteurised dairy products due to a perceived risk of disease, while others laud the same products for their perceived health benefits. If you’re at all unsure, it’s probably best to stick to what you’re used to.
Other Risks
Visitors to forested areas should consider vaccination for tick-borne encephalitis. There was an outbreak of canine rabies in 2008. For those at high risk, vaccination before arrival should be considered. If you are bitten, seek medical advice without delay.
In more universal terms, sunburn is perhaps the most common complaint among visitors to France, particularly over the summer months – temperatures are generally higher in the south but it’s wise to be cautious across the country. The usual precautions apply: use a generous amount of sunscreen and be sensible about how long you spend in direct sunlight. Be aware that a breezy day can sometimes mask high temperatures.
If walking over a long distance in warm weather, it’s advisable to drink – and carry – plenty of water and wear appropriate clothing, including a sun hat. Blisters can be another problem for hikers. These can often occur if new walking shoes are being worn across a long distance. Ideally footwear should be worn in before the trip.
Flight and accommodation
Visa & Immigration
IATA Travel Centre
The IATA Travel Centre delivers accurate passport, visa and health requirement information at a glance. It is a trusted, centralized source for the latest international travel requirements. The IATA Travel Centre is the most accurate source available because it is based on a comprehensive database used by virtually every airline, and information is gathered from official sources worldwide, such as immigration and police authorities.