Strasbourg will surprise you with its beauty of its medieval buildings and grand churches straddling the Rhine River in France near the German border. It is a wonderful mix of these two cultural influences.

Former President Barack Obama said it best in describing this unique city: Strasbourg has been known throughout history as a city at the crossroads. Over thousands of years, you straddled many kingdoms and many cultures. Two rivers are joined here. Two religions have flourished in your churches. Three languages comprise an ancient oath that bears the city’s name. You served as a center of industry and commerce, a seat of government and education, where Goethe studied and Pasteur taught and Gutenberg imagined his printing press.

Cathédrale Notre Dame de Strasbourg (Strasbourg Cathedral)

It is considered a masterpiece of Gothic art. Victor Hugo described it as “a skillful combination of monumental size and delicateness.”

Its 142-meter (465 feet) spire rises to the air with ornamental features. Up until the 19th century, the cathedral was the highest building in the whole of the Christian world.

Viewed from the outside you will see hundreds of sculptures that play in the light with the shadows of the day. The color of the pink sandstone also changes with the light of the day and the color of the sky.

Inside, the stained-glass windows date from the 12th and 14th centuries. The stained-glass window on your left portrays past rulers and the stained-glass window on the right shows Bible stories.

The huge organ includes a remarkable case with animated figures.

The Renaissance astronomical clock provides an amazing show around 12:30 that includes rooster, 12 apostles and a little angel.

You can climb up to the top of the church’s platform, 332 steps in a spiral staircase for panoramic views overlooking the rooftops of Strasbourg.

Church:Hours: Daily, 7 am – 11:40 pm and 12:45 pm – 7 pm.

Admission: Free

Tower: Hours: Daily, April – Sept. 9 am – 7:30 pm; June- Aug., Friday- Saturday nights until 9:30 pm; Oct.-March 10 am – 5:15 pm.

Admission: €4.80, free first Sunday of the month.

Address: Place de la Cathédrale, 67000 Strasbourg, France

Palais Rohan (Archaeological Museum, Decorative Museum, Fine Arts Museum)

The complex is home to three museum listed above. The Palais Rohan de Strasbourg was built between 1732 and 1742 for Cardinal Armand-Gaston de Rohan-Soubise, Prince-Bishop of Strasbourg. Designed to resemble great Parisian mansions.

Archaeological Museum

It is housed in the palace and includes several thousand years of Alsatian history, dating from 600,000 BC to 880, including tombs from the bronze and iron ages.

Museum of Decorative Arts

Set in the luxurious state apartments you can see decorative arts dating from 1681 to the mid-19th century including world-renowned Hannong ceramics, furniture, sculpture and painting, timepieces, ironware, pewter and the magnificent gold and silverware items.

Fine Arts Museum

Situated on the first floor of the Palace, the museum boasts a fine collection of Italian, French, Spanish, Flemish and Dutch paintings, dating from the 14th century to 1870.

Hours: Open all week 10 am – 6 pm, closed Tuesdays

Admission: All Museums are €6.50, under 18 free, and includes English audioguide.

Address: 2 Place du Château, 67000 Strasbourg, France

Musée de l’Œuvre-Notre-Dame (Museum of the Cathedral)

Housed in a charming series of buildings and includes medieval sculptures from the cathedral and others. Exhibition rooms include Renaissance and 17th century decorative arts.

Hours: Tuesday- Sunday 10 – 6 pm, Saturday from 12 noon, Closed Mondays.

Admission: €6.50 and free for children under 18 years old.

Address: 3 Place du Château, 67000 Strasbourg, France

Musée alsacien (Alsatian Museum)

Found in a 6th and 17th century mansions, with collection of Alsatian folk art and you can gain a close-up view of half-timbered construction.

Hours: €5, under 18 free

Admission: Wednesday- Monday, 12 noon- 6 pm, Sunday from 10 am, closed Tuesdays.

Address: 23-25 Quai Saint-Nicolas, 67000 Strasbourg, France

Other Sites:

European Parliament

You can visit the official seat of the European Parliament and it is a great way to understand the world’s largest transnational parliament and to find out about its powers and role.

Place du Château

Pedestrian square in front of the Cathédrale Notre Dame de Strasbourg that includes restaurants, shops and museum.

Grande-Île de Strasbourg

Center of Strasbourg with churches, shops and medieval architecture nearby.

Barrage Vauban

Pink sandstone weir and bridge constructed in the 17th century that now houses sculptures.

Église Saint-Thomas

Protestant church decorated in the late Gothic style.

Kléber square

The main square surrounded by shops, café and a fountain.

Porte des Ramperts

Part of the old wall by Sainte-Madeleine Church.

Ornate Medieval Hotel: Maison Kammerzell

Beautifully constructed hotel with stained-glass windows dating back to 1427 and rooms have exposed beams

Unique Restaurant: Maison des Tanneurs

French cuisine in a half-Timbered building along the canal. Get a table by the window for the views.

How do we get there? We will probably take ICE train to Strasbourg with a stop in Stuttgart, Germany. Then take an ICE back that evening with again a stop in Stuttgart. The trip is about four hours each way. Makes for a long day trip, but it is a chance to see a bit of France while in Germany.