Strasbourg is located on the left bank of the Rhine in eastern France. The city is right on the border between France and Germany. Its Christmas market remains one of the city’s emblematic attractions. Still, many other occasions throughout the year to go there, especially on weekends. Now linked to Paris by the TGV Est line, Strasbourg has gained a lot in accessibility; the round trip is made simply in a few hours.
Its city center is also one of the only ones to be fully classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The center can be explored on foot or by bike, be warned during the summer it gets very crowded. The city is built on Ill and along the left bank of the Rhine. Ill is the town’s backbone, connected to the Rhine by old arms that are now channeled. Home to the European Parliament, Strasbourg is no longer a simple provincial town but a metropolis on a European scale. Not everyone goes to Strasbourg for its institutions. Still, much more to enjoy the charms of the city center; the Grande Île: lively, with remarkable monuments such as the Palais de Rohan or the Cathedral, is most pleasant and culturally exciting.
A tour of the Petite France side is a must, in this district with a certain charm, made up of canals and half-timbered houses. It is easily one of the best place to go in Strasbourg. The city’s heritage has been remarkably preserved and gives it its full character. Many museums also inform us about life in Strasbourg or Alsace. There are plenty of places to visit in Strasbourg, and the most popular regions are Grande île, Kruteneau, and Neustadt. Like places, there are also plenty of hotels in the city. It is not difficult to find in Strasbourg where to stay.
Grande Île, Medieval Part of the City
It took a bit of imagination to deal with the theme of the “French islands.” Because those for whom the word island evokes those of Groix, Noirmoutier, Ré, Hyères, Lérins, or even Corsica, what then to think of the regions of the Grand-Est of France? So far from the sea, Alsace and Lorraine have only a few islands. The only ones that exist are those of rivers and streams. Precisely, that’s good because the most famous of all is undoubtedly the Grande Île de Strasbourg. Because if you didn’t know, the historic center of Strasbourg – and its renowned Cathedral – were built on an island. A large island in the Ill River. If you think, “where should i go in Strasbourg” Grande Île de Strasbourg is the first place to see.
Strasbourg Cathedral
The Liebfrauenmünster, known by its French name Notre-Dame Cathedral, is a world-famous religious building. Construction of the 142-meter-high Cathedral began in 1015, followed by many other construction phases until its completion in 1330. The Cathedral is best known for its colorful rose window, 15 meters in diameter, which leaves a fascinating impression. Inside, the nave houses a rich collection of stained glass windows, while in the south transept is the Pillar of the Angels, built around 1230 and made up of twelve sculptures and an astronomical clock. The Cathedral has been listed as a historical monument since 1862.
Petit France
La Petite France is a small area located south of the Big Island. It has some of the most beautiful and photogenic streets in Strasbourg, with its half-timbered houses and narrow, cobbled streets. The exquisite half-timbered houses date from the 16th and 17th centuries. Their sloping roofs open onto attics where the skins used to dry. Strasbourg was totally destroyed during the Second World War, and initiated a post-war reconstruction policy for this picturesque district.
Where to Stay in Grande Île
There are many options for staying in Grande Île. Couples, business-related visitors, or backpackers… Everyone is welcomed in this authentic region. The standard part of the options is close to nearly every aspect of the city. Best hotels in Strasbourg France are also clustered in this location.
Sofitel Strasbourg Grande Île: Sofitel Strasbourg is the first Sofitel hotel. Located in the UNESCO heritage site, you can walk or bike anywhere. Thanks to Alsace, Sofitel Strasbourg Grande Île also have an exquisite vineyard and exceptional gastronomy options. The hotel is also one of the best place to stay in Strasbourg.
Hotel Cathedrale: Just opposite the Strasbourg Cathedral, Hotel Cathedrale is one of the best hotels Strasbourg. You can drink your coffee in the morning against a one-of-a-kind architectural piece wonder. Even if you visit the city at the most popular times, you can use the location advantage and see everywhere.
EtC Hotel: Hotel maybe is no more than a place to spend the night and prepare for the next day. If you think that way, EtC Hotel offers everything you need. EtC Hotel is budget-friendly, but if you check its amenities, you wouldn’t believe it. Grande Île is the best area to stay in Strasbourg. Even budget-friendly hotels offer many things.
Krutenau, Taste the Nightlife of Strasbourg
For centuries, the Krutenau was the district of market gardeners, fishermen, and boatmen. These disappeared, and the place remained famous for its cafes. These establishments are now few in number, the students and the sores having taken possession of the district. Which doesn’t detract from its charm. Apart from an essential relic of the city’s medieval walls, behind the Sainte-Madeleine church, the region is home to no significant monument. You can go shopping in the rue Sainte-Madeleine and admire the charming Place des Orphelins during the day; discover the splendid decor of polychrome ceramics at the École supérieure des arts décoratifs, rue de l’Académie, or see an exhibition of student work at the Chaufferie, the school’s gallery, rue de la Manufacture-des- Tobacco. Then spend the evening in a restaurant popular with students, around the Place Saint-Nicolas-aux-Ondes, after tasting a Turkish or Lebanese specialty in the rue de Zürich. The students have now taken possession of the premises, making Kruteneau a hotspot for nightlife in Strasbourg.
Rhine School of Arts
The former School of Decorative Arts is one of France’s most renowned establishments for its teaching quality. Its facade is pierced with large bay windows separated by vertical divisions adorned with polychrome ceramic panels in the purest Art Nouveau style. There are the symbolic themes of the programs offered: architecture, painting, sculpture, archaeology… The building, the plant decor, and the adjoining garden make you feel strange tranquility here.
Tobacco Factory
This colossal building located in the heart of the Krutenau, with some parts listed as historical monuments, is being converted. Considered the prototype of tobacco factories, it was erected in 1849. When it reopens, scheduled for 2021, this former industrial building will notably house a center of the University of Strasbourg, a start-up incubator, a hostel of youth, and a bar-restaurant.
Alsatian Museum
The Alsatian Museum is a unique place over 100 years old, nestled in a typical half-timbered house in the city center. A picturesque site where 2,000 m² are dedicated to Alsatian culture. This museum was created in 1907 by the Société du Musée alsacien, of which Pierre Bucher and Léon and Ferdinand Dollinger were members. Their objective was to protect Alsatian heritage as the region was annexed by the German Empire. Described as a “den of Francophiles,” it was only saved by the municipality’s intervention in 1917. The Alsatian Museum in Strasbourg expanded in the 1980s with the acquisition of two adjoining buildings to exhibit 5,000 witnesses of rural life in the Bas-Rhin. Magnificently restored, the museum welcomes curious visitors to offer them an insight into life in Alsace from 1600 to the present day.
Where to Stay in Krutenau
Strasbourg is a magnificent place to visit. You can find a place to see even after a couple of days. This also means the city is a popular location for tourists. If you want to step back from the crowd and enjoy the town, Krutenau is the best area to stay in Strasbourg. After an exhausting day, you can unwind at night while walking around in Krutenau.
Hotel Cour du Corbeau: If you decide to stay in Hotel Cour du Corbeu, this means you are staying in more than a hotel. Because the building of the hotel is one of the most refined instances of Renaissance architecture. Hotel Cour du Corbeau is one of the oldest hotels in Europe. To make your vacation more romantic and memorable, Hotel Cour du Corbeau is probably at the top of the best places to stay in Strasbourg for couples.
Hotel Beaucour: Hotel Beacour is also one of the most romantic hotels in the city. Its tiny but beautifully decorated balconies are full of colorful flowers. You can either walk to historical places in the town or visit the shopping streets. Hotel Beaucour offers an immersive experience in Strasbourg.
Hôtel Esplanade: Looking for hotels Strasbourg France is not an easy task. There are plenty of options for everyone. You can either be an explorer with a backpack or want to spend money on tourist attractions instead of hotels; Hôtel Esplanade is the place you are looking for. Thanks to its location, you can directly access the historical center, the central station, the European Parliament, and the Palais des Congrès.
Neustadt, German Side of the City
This “new town,” built between 1871 and 1914 following the attachment to the Second Reich, contributed to triple the surface area of Strasbourg when it was built. There are squares, spacious avenues, many official buildings such as the Palais du Rhin and the prefecture, as well as the churches of St-Paul and St-Maurice, the Orangerie park, and some testimonies of the arrival of Art Nouveau in Strasbourg around 1900, such as the “Egyptian House,” a building with sculptures and motifs inspired by Egypt.
Place de la République is home to the Palais du Rhin, the former imperial palace built at the end of the 19th century for the German Emperor following the annexation of Alsace-Lorraine. Imposing and majestic, this Germanic neo-classical style palace rises on three levels. It is divided into numerous apartments, lounges, reception areas, and much more.
The Egyptian House
The flowery language of Art Nouveau is here at the service of the tourists and ancient Egypt and radiates throughout the building. The architect Franz Scheyder is content with a sensitive touch: two columns with palm-shaped capitals framing the portal, the ironwork of the balconies in the shape of stylized beetles, gilding, and decorative colors. The mural by Adolf Zilly is deployed in the center. It reproduces a scene of duck hunting by boat in the marshes on the banks of the Nile in the middle of lotuses and papyrus. According to the conventions of Egyptian funerary painting, the pharaoh, life-size, holds an ansated cross. He is accompanied by his wife, who comes to his waist.
The Orangerie Park
The Orangerie Park is a haven of peace in the city. This is the perfect place for a picnic, a walk, or a romantic stopover at the Temple of Love, at the entrance to the Allée de l’Orangerie-Joséphine. The playgrounds, canoeing on the lake, and the old carousel jalopies will delight the kids.
Where to Stay in Neustadt
Suppose you are a German culture and architecture lover, or you want the surrounded by the aesthetics of the Art Nouveau style. In that case, you don’t have to think about where to stay in Strasbourg.
Maison Rouge: Maison Rouge is exceptionally one of the best places to stay in Strasbourg. You can taste the classic Alsatian heritage and design in the hotel. Either a day full of walking or after a long voyage, you can relax at the hotel’s spa section. At the edge of the Neustadt and Grande Île, Maison Rouge offers a one-of-a-lifetime Strasbourg experience.
Hôtel Couvent du Franciscain: You can taste the French air in the middle of German region with Hôtel Couvent du Franciscain. The most important part of the hotel is rooms are like an art museum. The unique designs on the walls are remarkable. Also, you can enjoy a French Breakfast before stepping into the city.
Ciarus: Ciarus is a cheap hotel and proud of it. The hotel aims specifically to backpackers and families who want to spend minimum money on hotels. But this doesn’t mean the hotel is not so good. There are plenty of places to socialize with other visitors, like a bar, a snack bar, and a café. Ciarus is literally amongst the best hotels Strasbourg of its purpose.