A weekend in Strasbourg, the capital of Alsace

Dernière mise à jour de cet article le 10 July 2025

On a weekend in March, we went to Strasbourg. It wasn’t our first time in the Alsatian capital. In fact, in 2018, we went there very quickly to discover the Christmas markets and we had fallen under the spell of the city with its picturesque canals, half-timbered houses and warm atmosphere. So we wanted to go back and really take the time to visit Strasbourg.

So what can you do in Strasbourg in 2 days? Here’s a look back at a weekend filled with heritage, history, culture and gastronomy. At the end of the article, read the opinion of Kiki the Alsatian, who pronounces choucroute like no one else!

Introducing Strasbourg

Strasbourg is the prefecture of the Bas-Rhin département and the capital of the Grand Est region. It is home to more than 277,000 inhabitants, the strasbourgeois and strasbourgeoises.

After this quick introduction, find out what to do in Strasbourg over the weekend.

Visit the historic heart of Strasbourg

We start with a visit to the historic heart of Strasbourg, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Here you’ll find many monuments that are a must-see.

Notre-Dame Cathedral , Strasbourg

To start your visit to Strasbourg, head for the majestic Notre-Dame Cathedral, a masterpiece of Gothic architecture. In fact, it’s considered one of the most emblematic symbols of the Alsace region. It is even listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Visit the interior of Strasbourg Cathedral

You can visit theinterior of Strasbourg’s Notre Dame Cathedral. Construction of Notre-Dame Cathedral began in the 12th century and spanned several centuries. With its facade adorned with sculptures and gargoyles, it is an outstanding example of Gothic architecture, with its flying buttresses, pointed arches and colorful stained-glass windows. The cathedral also houses a precious treasure in the form of the famous 15th-century astronomical clock.

So, to be honest, this wasn’t our favorite cathedral. We found it a little too dark, but it’s nonetheless impressive, and the stained glass windows are magnificent.

Climb to the top of Strasbourg’s Notre Dame Cathedral

You can reach the top of the cathedral after climbing over 300 steps. To catch your breath, enjoy the incredible views over Strasbourg.

But the effort is well worth it, as the view of Strasbourg from the summit is magnificent!

There’s even a small exhibition on the cathedral’s guardians.

The cost of climbing to the top of Strasbourg Cathedral is 8 euros. A must if you’re visiting Strasbourg!

Walking in the heart of Strasbourg

After visiting the cathedral, take a stroll through Strasbourg’s historic center , with its cobblestone streets and half-timbered houses.

Place Kleber

Cross the Place Kleber and admire the buildings. You’ll also see a statue of French General Jean-Baptiste Kléber, famous for his role in the wars of the French Revolution and the Napoleonic campaigns. This is also where you’ll see the huge, magnificent Christmas tree at the Strasbourg Christmas market.

Take a night tour of Strasbourg, it’s magnificent.

Alsace’s capital has a unique charm, day and night!

Vauban dam

Strasbourg’s Vauban dam, also known as the “grande écluse”, is one of the city’s major engineering structures. Built in the 17th century to the plans of French military engineer Sébastien Le Prestre de Vauban, it was designed for defensive purposes to protect the city from enemy invasion.

Unquestionably one of the best views of Strasbourg from the panoramic terrace, taking in the covered bridges, the cathedral and the Petite France district.

Discover the Petite France district

Here’s Strasbourg’s most beautiful, historic and perhaps best-known district: Petite France. What a romantic name, isn’t it?

And yet there’s nothing romantic about the origin of its name. Indeed, over the centuries, Petite France has metamorphosed into a residential district, home to the region’s emblematic half-timbered houses, once inhabited by fishermen, tanners and millers. In the Middle Ages, during the Italian campaign, French troops contracted a mysterious disease, syphilis, known as the “French disease”. In Strasbourg, the sick were confined to the tanners’ district, particularly in a house called “Zum Franzoesel”, later renamed “La Petite France”.

Stroll along the canals and admire the spectacle.

The best time to go? We recommend going early in the morning for the best light. What’s more, you’ll see far fewer people.

We absolutely loved discovering Petite France in Strasbourg. Unquestionably the most beautiful district in Strasbourg! Take the time to stroll through the cobbled streets and admire the half-timbered houses.

Take a cruise on the Ill

During this weekend in Strasbourg, we took a cruise on the Ill River aboard a bateau mouche to discover the city from a different angle. On board, you can discover Strasbourg’s history and architecture with an audio guide offering very interesting commentaries.

You’ll pass through the Petite France district and on to the European quarter, with the European Commission of Human Rights (ECHR) and the European Parliament. The highlight? Passing through the lock!

Visit the European Parliament in Strasbourg

The European Parliament is located in Strasbourg, symbolizing the city’s importance as the seat of European institutions.

After passing through airport-style security checks, you can enter the European Parliament building.

You can discover an exhibition on Louise Weiss, a French journalist, writer and political activist. She was committed to defending women’s rights and promoting a united Europe.

Then you can enter the hemicycle. It’s really impressive! You’ll be able to sit down and listen to an audio guide on the history and issues of the European Parliament. Superb!

We realize the importance of this institution and the decisions taken that will have an impact on the 405 million Europeans. In fact, we’re becoming increasingly aware of the importance of voting in the European elections.

The visit takes two hours, and is free of charge. To get to the European Parliament in Strasbourg, you can take the streetcar from the center of the city.

Visit Strasbourg’s museums

There are lots of museums in Strasbourg. So, during our 2 days in Strasbourg, we chose to discover the Musée Historique de Strasbourg.

Strasbourg Historical Museum

This museum traces the history of Strasbourg from the Middle Ages to the present day. You’ll discover collections of artifacts, historical documents, paintings and sculptures linked to the city’s history.

Strasbourg Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art

We also went to the Musée d’Art Moderne et Contemporain de Strasbourg (MAMCS). This museum houses a vast collection of modern and contemporary art, with works ranging from the 20th century to the present day.

We didn’t actually visit the museum, we just went for a coffee in the museum restaurant to get a magnificent view of Strasbourg.

This took us past the building of the Institut National du Service Public (formerly the Ecole Nationale d’Administration).

The Palais Rohan

You can visit the Palais Rohan, former residence of the prince-bishops of Strasbourg, which today houses three museums: the Musée des Beaux-Arts, the Musée des Arts décoratifs and the Musée archéologique. It’s a 10-minute walk from Place Kléber.

The Alsatian Museum

The Musée Alsacien offers a glimpse of Alsatian culture through exhibits highlighting the region’s lifestyle, architecture, crafts and traditions. It also features reconstructions of traditional Alsatian houses.

Where to eat in Strasbourg

Strasbourg is a gastronomic paradise! You’ll discover local specialties like sauerkraut, pretzels, spatzles and tarts flambées, all accompanied by Alsatian craft beer.

During our weekend in Strasbourg, we went to two restaurants that we recommend.

Restaurant Gurtlerhoft

The Gurtlerhoft restaurant is a former wine cellar dating back to the 14th century. It is located opposite Strasbourg Cathedral. Inside, the decor is magnificent. The food is also very good.

Don’t forget to book your table to make sure you won’t be disappointed when you come to Strasbourg .

La Fignette

We’re also at La Fignette restaurant, where you can enjoy sauerkraut (Kiki’s favorite word!) or wood-fired flammekueche.

You also need to make a reservation to get a table in this restaurant, otherwise you won’t get a seat.

How to get to Strasbourg

Strasbourg is the capital of Alsace, and is easily accessible by train thanks to its TGV station. It takes 1 hour from Mulhouse, 1 hour 30 from Dijon, 2 hours from Paris and 4 hours from Lyon. From Switzerland, it takes around 2 hours by train from Zurich (if all goes well!).

Getting around Strasbourg

Strasbourg’s city center and Petite France district can be visited on foot. To get to the European Parliament or other more distant districts, you can take the tramway.

Where to stay in Strasbourg?

We stayed at theHappy Culture hotel in Strasbourg. It’s ideally located. It’s a 10-minute walk from the train station, 5 minutes from the Petite France district and 10 minutes from the Cathedral. We only took the streetcar to the European Parliament.

Even if the room is a bit old-fashioned, it’s still pleasant and, above all, quiet!

The breakfast is very good and varied. Eating passion fruit for breakfast in the morning is unusual! You don’t expect it, especially in Strasbourg!

This is a very good address to remember when visiting Strasbourg.

Kiki’s opinion of her visit to Strasbourg

When Kiki thinks of Strasbourg, the legendary Christmas market, the European Court of Human Rights and, of course, Petite France immediately spring to mind. But there’s a lot more to Strasbourg than meets the eye:

• Ill – that’s not a typo – the river that flows elegantly through Strasbourg is indeed spelled with three strokes. Kiki still can’t stop smiling at the thought. Be sure to book a boat tour, it’s the quickest way to discover the next highlight on Kiki’s bucket list.
• Strasbourg’s history in the 19th and 20th centuries: during the boat tour, you’ll be confronted with Strasbourg’s dramatic history when the city was still in German hands. And even today, the German influence is ever-present in the strangely evocative street names.
• Alsatian food: even though Sophie constantly makes fun of Kiki’s accent, he does love sauerkraut, even if the word is difficult to pronounce. But he’ll never utter the word again, and he solemnly promises it here!
• Half-timbered houses: the half-timbered houses reflected in the calm waters of the Ill (hihi…) are definitely among the most beautiful sights Kiki has ever seen in a city. Which is why Strasbourg is undoubtedly one of Kiki’s favorite cities in France!