Strasbourg Alsace And Lorraine, France Travel Guide
This placement at the heart of Western Europe has historically been a crossroads. It connected trade routes and cultures, fostering an unique identity that blends French and German influences. The city’s rivers, the Ill and the Rhine, were historically for commerce and defense. Today, they provide picturesque settings for boat tours and riverside strolls. Immediate proximity to Germany means you can easily cross the Rhine into the German town of Kehl, experiencing another country just minutes away. This geographical fluidity makes Strasbourg a doorway to wider European exploration.
Strasbourg’s geography molds its character. The flat plain of the Rhine rift valley makes the city ideal for walking and cycling, with numerous bike paths crisscrossing the urban area. To the west, the gentle hills of the Vosges mountains rise, offering a scenic backdrop and opportunities for outdoor activities. To the east, the Rhine River forms the natural boundary with Germany, shaping Strasbourg’s identity for centuries.
The city occupies a flat plain, part of the Rhine rift valley. This flat landscape makes the city ideal for walking and cycling, with numerous bike paths crisscrossing the urban area.
Strasbourg’s past spans over two millennia, a captivating narrative of resilience and change. The city’s story begins in Roman times as a military outpost named Argentoratum. Its strategic location on the Rhine, a natural frontier, secured its military and commercial standing from the earliest days. During the Middle Ages, Strasbourg rose to prominence as a free imperial city of the Holy Roman Empire. This status granted autonomy, allowing it to flourish as a center of commerce, culture, and learning. The construction of its famous Notre-Dame de Strasbourg Cathedral, began in the 12th century, a testament to the city's wealth and ambition.
A pivotal moment arrived in 1681 when Louis XIV integrated Strasbourg into France, marking a shift in its political allegiance, though its cultural dualism persisted. The city kept many local customs and language, building a rich Franco-German heritage. The 19th and 20th centuries brought cycles of annexation and liberation, with Strasbourg annexed by Germany after the Franco-Prussian War in 1871, remaining German until 1918. It suffered significant damage in World War II. Its resilience after the war led to its new role: main seat of the European Parliament, home of the Council of Europe, and the European Court of Human Rights. This status symbolizes reconciliation and ongoing European integration.
Served as Argentoratum, a Roman military outpost.
Free Imperial City of the Holy Roman Empire; Cathedral construction began.
Incorporated into France by Louis XIV in 1681.
Annexed by Germany, returned to France after WWI, occupied in WWII.
Main seat of European Parliament, Council of Europe, and European Court of Human Rights.
The historic city center, Grande Île, earned UNESCO World Heritage status in 1988, recognizing its outstanding universal value as a testament to medieval urban planning and Rhineland architecture. Walking through Strasbourg means stepping through layers of history. You see Roman foundations, medieval fortifications, Renaissance palaces, and 19th-century German imperial architecture. This blend illustrates a city that absorbed influences from both sides of the Rhine, forming a character found nowhere else.
Strasbourg's history has fostered a distinctive blend of Germanic and Latin cultures, evident in its architecture, cuisine, and local customs.
Post-WWII, Strasbourg transformed into a symbol of European reconciliation and integration, hosting European institutions.
Walking through Strasbourg means stepping through layers of history. You see Roman foundations, medieval fortifications, Renaissance palaces, and 19th-century German imperial architecture. This blend tells the story of a city that has absorbed influences from both sides of the Rhine, creating a character found nowhere else.
This overview provides a quick guide to the city's attributes.
Strasbourg's combination of historical depth, strategic location, and modern European significance builds a destination for visitors to dive into history, experience unique regional culture, and glimpse the future of European cooperation.
Northeastern France, Grand Est region, Bas-Rhin department, on Franco-German border. City center: 48°35′N 7°45′E.
Approx. 290,000 (city proper). Official Language: French. Alsatian dialect also spoken regionally.
Euro (EUR, €). Central European Time (CET, UTC+1), Central European Summer Time (CEST, UTC+2).
Strasbourg holds an unique political status. It is the capital of the Bas-Rhin department and the Grand Est region within France. More notably, Strasbourg serves as the official seat of the European Parliament, where members meet for twelve plenary sessions annually. It also hosts the Council of Europe and the European Court of Human Rights. This makes Strasbourg one of Europe's three official capitals (alongside Brussels and Luxembourg City), giving it a strong international and diplomatic presence.
