Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we’re talking about visiting Strasbourg, France, one of our favorite small towns in France. We want to prepare you for a few shocks you might expect on your first trip to Strasbourg.
French/German Confusion
Strasbourg is in France, but it looks and feels like you are in Germany. The Alsace region has changed hands between France and Germany many times over the course of history. So, naturally, there is a mix of French and German culture, food, and architecture in Strasbourg.
Alsatian Cuisine
The German influence is especially evident in the cuisine of Strasbourg and the surrounding Alsatian region. While you can find classic French cuisine in Strasbourg, you’re more likely to see German food with French names. Trying Alsatian cuisine is one of the best things to do in Strasbourg! And don’t expect dainty French portions; the portions in Strasbourg are more like what you would expect in Germany.
A few dishes (and drinks) to try on your next trip to Strasbourg include:
- Choucroute is sauerkraut and is often served with 3-5 different meats, often pork like sausage or ham
- Tarte Flambe looks like a pizza; it’s a very thin flatbread covered in creamy cheese and toppings like mushrooms, ham, and onion.
- Baeckoeffe is a heavy casserole dish that consists of meat and potatoes. It’s delicious, but also very filling.
- Coq au Riesling is a lighter dish, an Alsatian version of the popular Coq au Vin found throughout France.
- Spaetzle is a popular noodle dish from Austria and Germany
- Schweinhaxe is the Alsatian version of ham hocks; really tasty!
- Kugelhopf is a popular pastry to try in Strasbourg; it’s like a cross between a muffin and a bundt cake. It also makes a great gift if you are visiting friends during your trip.
- Tarte a l’oignon is one of the more popular tartes to try and is almost like a quiche. You’ll find lots of sweet and savory tartes in Strasbourg.
- There’s also a lot of beer in Strasbourg, and my favorite is Picon. It’s a shot of sweet liqueur put into your beer. It’s really fantastic!
- Alsatian wine is also really good. Grand Cru is my favorite. Alsace is known for white wine, so riesling is very popular.
Petite France
Strasbourg’s Petite France is shockingly adorable. This is where you’ll find tons of half-timbered houses, and all of the iconic street scenes you would expect to find in France. There are tons of restaurants and bars, boutiques, and souvenir shops. It’s a great place to sit back, relax and enjoy the beauty of Strasbourg. It’s easy to see why the city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Alsace Pride
The locals of Strasbourg and the entire Alsace region have so much pride in their city and their region. You’ll notice how clean the city is, and how informative the museums are. They really love their culture and want to ensure visitors fall in love as well. They are proud of their cuisine and the local wines and will encourage you to try the local specialties. To learn more about the region, check out the Alsatian Museum or the Historical Museum of the City of Strasbourg.
The Notre Dame Cathedral
Inside and out, this cathedral is an icon of Strasbourg, much like Notre Dame is a major landmark of Paris. You can actually climb one of the towers for fantastic views around Strasbourg. Inside, the stained glass is impressive, but the must-see is the astronomical clock. The clock “performs” every day at 12:30 and you have to buy tickets to attend the show. It’s really cool, but also very busy, so it helps to buy your tickets ahead of time.
Strasbourg Cyclists
There are 500 kilometers of bike paths in Strasbourg, so it’s safe to say cycling is very popular. Bike tours are a popular way to see Strasbourg. What’s shocking is the number of times you’ll have to jump out of the way of an oncoming bike. Despite the miles of bike lanes, it seems that cyclists often end up in pedestrian lanes.
Strasbourg Tour Groups
For what seems like a quaint little French town, there are a surprising number of school groups and tour groups on any given day. Most of the tour participants are focused on following their tour guide who is often waving a little flag, and they often don’t even look where they are going, so you have to be careful not to get run over. Weekends in Strasbourg are totally overrun with tourists. Strasbourg is an easy day trip from Paris, Basel, and Freiburg, so it’s a very popular weekend getaway.
Five Things You’ll Love & Hate About Strasbourg
Christmas in Strasbourg
Strasbourg is the Christmas capital of France, but it’s still a shock once you actually visit Strasbourg at Christmas. The whole city gets into the Christmas spirit, with lights and decorations and the Strasbourg Christmas market. It’s truly magical! But…you have to plan ahead because everyone wants to come to Strasbourg at Christmas!
Christmas Traditions in France
Day Trips from Strasbourg
While you will love your time in Strasbourg, it’s also a great base for visiting other towns in the region. Freiburg, Germany is just over one hour from Strasbourg. Basel, Switzerland is about two hours by train. Colmar, France is just 30 minutes from Strasbourg.
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We will be shocked if you don’t fall in love with Strasbourg! It’s one of the prettiest towns in France, and it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Between the architecture, the sights, and the food, Strasbourg is a shockingly fun destination!
Want more tips for traveling in France? Check out some of our other blog posts: