Strasbourg

Bas-Rhin, Grand Est

Strasbourg, in the Grand Est, has about 294,000 inhabitants and is the eighth-largest commune in France. It is the official seat of the European Parliament, which holds twelve plenary sessions a year there, and is one of the three European capitals with Brussels and Luxembourg. Its position on the Rhine frontier gave it both a French and a Germanic identity.

The historic centre, the Grande-Île, has been UNESCO World Heritage since 1988, with the Notre-Dame cathedral as the major landmark. This listing was extended in 2017 to part of the Neustadt district, built during the German period. The Petite France district is one of the most appreciated: its old houses line the canals of the Ill, which are crossed by the Ponts Couverts, structures of the town's former fortification system.

Strasbourg is visited mostly on foot, between the cathedral, pedestrian streets, squares and waterfronts. The Christmas market is an important tradition of the city, which draws crowds in winter, but the centre lends itself to a stroll in any season.

In our collectionsChristmas markets: the most beautiful towns and villages

In our itinerariesWhat to see in Alsace in 3 days A weekend in Alsace, from Strasbourg to the wine route

In our guidesDiscovering the Grand Est: a practical guide Discovering Alsace: a practical guide

← Other sites in Bas-Rhin