Tourist information on Strasbourg, France

Strasbourg is the principal city of the Alsace region of France and the capital of the Bas-Rhin department. It is the seat of the European Parliament and hosts several other important European institutions, including the Council of Europe and the European Court of Human Rights. It is situated on the Ill River in the east of France, near to the border with Germany. It lies 20 km east of the Vosges Mountains and 25 km west of the Black Forest. Strasbourg's historic city centre is a World heritage site and a popular tourist destination. The city is also an important centre for manufacturing and engineering. Its name is of Germanic origin (Strasse-burg) and means Town of Roads.

The area on which Strasbourg is built is known to have been inhabited since Neolithic times. The Roman town of Argentoratum was established here in around 12 BC and served as a military outpost for several centuries. In the 5th century, the town was occupied by various Germanic tribes (Alemanni, Huns and Franks). It acquired the name of Strazburg in the 9th century and by the 10th century it had become a thriving commercial centre, controlled by the Holy Roman Empire. After the revolution of 1332, Strasbourg declared itself a free republic. It was annexed by King Louis XIV in 1691. After the Franco-Prussian War in 1871, the city was incorporated into the newly created German Empire, and partly rebuilt on a grand German imperial design. Following the abdication of the German Emperor in 1918, Alsace-Lorraine declared itself an independent republic, but the city was returned to France under the terms of the Treaty of Versailles. During the Second World War, it was annexed to Nazi Germany in 1940, but was liberated in 1944 and has since been part of France.

Dominating Strasbourg's charming historic city centre is its cathedral (Cathédrale Notre-Dame), an imposing sandstone Gothic structure that dates back to the 12th century and boasts the highest cathedral tower in France (142 metres) and an ornate astronomical clock. The nearby Musée de l'Oeuvre Notre-Dame houses the original sculptures of the cathedral exterior, which were replaced during the French Revolution, and a collection of Medieval and Renaissance paintings from the German Rhenish territories. The place de la Cathédrale hosts the busy Christmas market in the weeks leading up to Christmas. Strasbourg's other landmark building is the Palais des Rohan, a gigantic baroque edifice that is home to three of the city's most important museums: the Museum of Fine Arts (Musée des Beaux-arts), the Archaeological Museum (Musée archéologique) and the Museum of Decorative Arts (Musée des Arts décoratifs).

The Musée des Beaux-Arts exhibits a large collection of European old master paintings, including work by Goya, Botticelli, Rubens and Van Dyck. The Musée des Arts décoratifs houses an impressive collection of 18th century furniture and china. The Musée archéologique has a large display of relics and artefacts from the Neolithic times to the 6th century. Other important museums are: the Musée d'Art moderne et contemporain one of France's largest museums of modern art, featuring work by Monet and Klimt; the History Museum (Musée historique), which records the city's turbulent history; and the Musée Alsacien, which is devoted to the history of the Alsatian people from the 13th to the 19th century.

Petite France is the most picturesque part of the city centre, a small area between the rivers, just south of the Grande Île. With its cobbled streets and colourful timbered town houses, it has an olde worlde, almost fairy tale-like charm and resembles Colmar. This is where the Ponts Couverts (comprising 13th century towers and footbridges), Strasbourg's most famous landmark (after the cathedral), are situated. Another atmospheric area of the city is the Quartier Allemand (German District), which is rich in German Neo-classical architecture and accommodates the Place de la République, centred on a small wooded park. There are also some fine examples of Art Nouveau, including the Palais des Fêtes and buildings on the Avenue de la Robertsau and Rue Sleidan. Place Kléber is the city's largest square, at the heart of the city's commercial area.

There are also plenty of green open spaces in which to relax. The Orangerie is an attractive park with formal gardens, a neo-classical castle, a small zoo and playground for young children. Other parks and gardens include: the Parc de la Citadelle, the Parc de Pourtalès, the Parc des Contades and the Jardin botanique de l'Université de Strasbourg. Stockfeld is a garden city built in the early 20th century in the southern part of the town. Situated between the Etoile Polygone and Etoile Bourse tram stops, there is a new shopping centre, Rivetoile, which is Strasbourg's equivalent to the Place des Halles in Paris, with upmarket stores and several cafes. Alsace is famous for its rich cuisine, particularly sauerkraut, and Strasbourg is particularly well-served by its traditional restaurants.

Strasbourg International Airport is located near the city at Entzheim. The nearest alternative is Baden-Baden Airport, 60 km away in Germany. Much of Strasbourg's historic centre is pedestrianised, so the best way to get around the city centre is on foot or via the modern tram service. For those wanting to travel further afield, the city offers a convenient bus and regional rail service. The busy Gare de Strasbourg provides rail connections to several large cities in France and continental Europe. Paris is a mere two hours and 20 minutes away by TGV.