***Place Kléber

Strasbourg’s biggest square is at the heart of the Grande IÎe and makes a great starting point for seeing the sights within and around the old town center.  If you’re here during the Christmas Markets, there is a big beautiful tree that lights up the whole square.  In the center of this large open space is a statue and a vault containing the remains of General Jean-Baptiste Kléber, the squares namesake.  Many of my favorite restaurants are located on the pedestrian streets between here and the cathedral.  This is a great area for lunch or to come back to for dinner.  For the purposes of my walk Place Kléber will be either the beginning or ending point of the self-guided walking tour.

Place Kléber is also a great place to begin if you want to walk to the sights just outside to the northeast of the Grande IÎe, such as the European Union and Place de République which I include in the “Other Strasbourg Sites” section.

***Strasbourg Cathedral                       

open daily, except during mass
Admission €4.40 adults, €2.20 children 5-17 and students
Steps up to viewing platform additional €5

Website cathedrale-strasbourg.fr

The dramatic Cathedral of Our Lady is a MUST DO! It’s France’s second most visited cathedral after Paris’ Notre Dame and is Strasbourg’s most popular site.  The Roman Catholic Cathedral was erected in 1439.  Complete with stained glass and supported by its graceful flying buttresses, it’s one of the best examples of late Gothic architecture in Europe.  The soaring spire rising from its medieval square, can be seen from miles away.  Sandstone quarried from the nearby Vosges Mountains was used in its construction, casting a delicate texture to its structure and tableau of pink on its exterior.

Walking around inside take special notice of the stained glass, most is from the 13th and 14^th century, some (located on the left side in the transept as you enter the front of the cathedral) dates from the 12^th century!  At the opposite side of the transept, (right as you walk in), you will see The Pillar of the Angels, Le Pilier Des Agnes, a column displaying beautiful 13^th century statuary.  Also, here is a sixty-foot astronomical clock from the 15^th century, which performs it greatest series of chimes each day at 12:30p.m.  The clock plays a simpler chime every 15 minutes.  Its special dials display the positions of the moon, sun and stars, clocks like these helped determine seasonal equinoxes, leap years and even where Easter fell in the Christian calendar with great accuracy.  Also, worth noting is the cathedrals suspended pipe organ and ornate 15^th century pulpit.

If you don’t mind the climb, the view at the top of the spires over 300 steps, is well worth the effort.  The medieval center surrounds you from below, the Rhine flows past and the iconic Black Forest can be seen in the east, where France meets Germany.

TIP… The cathedral is most crowded around noon when tour operators spill in to see the fanfare of the 12:30 clock chime.

 **Palais de Rohan               

open every day except Mondays, Tues-Fri 9am-5pm (closed for lunch from 12noon-2pm), Sat-Sun open all day 9am-6pm
admission €6 per museum or €12 for all three
website:  musees.strasbourg.eu

A masterpiece of French Baroque architecture, Palais de Rohan was completed in 1742 as the residence for the prince-bishops and cardinals to the noble House of Rohan. Its imposing size and religious statues were meant to celebrate the return of Catholicism to Strasbourg after two centuries of Protestant domination.  Since the end of the 19^th century it has housed Strasbourg’s Archaeological, Fine Art, and Decorative Arts museums.  You will want to take a few minutes to check out the striking exterior of this building which epitomizes the best of French architecture.

It’s right near the Cathedral, making it convenient to do both.  Visiting the museums depends on timeframe and your appetite for museums.  If you do decide to dive in, I like the Fine Art Museum, look for beaux-arts, the museum elegantly presents works by Memling, Botticelli, Raphael, El Greco, Reubens and more.  The Decorative Arts Museum is great if you haven’t yet visited a chateau, and love period furiniture.           

**Alsatian Museum

open every day except Tuesdays
noon-6pm, Sundays 10am-6pm
Admission €4

Located just across the river from Palais de Rohan is the Alsatian Museum, dedicated to all things Alsatian.  Traditional folk art, furniture, religious and everyday artifacts are all housed in Strasbourg’s oldest house, which lends itself well to the flow of the exhibits, and makes the overall experience especially authentic.  Some 30 rooms all have different themes representing the various Alsatian regions.  Excellent audio guide included.

**Cave Historique Des Hospices de Strasbourg

open daily, except Sundays hours 8:30-5:30   (closed for lunch noon-1:30)
Saturdays limited hours 9am-12:30pm only
admission is free, audio guide €3
website: vins-des-hospices-de-strasbourg.fr

This stop offers a unique experience of visiting a wine cellar in the city.   The historic cellars have kept cool and dry under the cities civil hospital since 1395.  Inside are some of the oldest wine barrels in the world and one of the world’s oldest wines from 1472.  Rows of wine barrels and the overall atmosphere provide great photo ops.  The audio guide is great if you want to spend more time on the history of the hospital and how the cellar came about.

TIP… If you’re lucky you will hit the cellar on a special wine tasting day to sample new wines from the region.  Contact them directly to find out the tasting schedule, or ask your hotel to do it for you.

***Petit France

was to defend the city from attack.  It did so successfully in 1870, during the Franco-Prussian War, by raising the water level on the River Ill, flooding the land south of the city, and literally holding off the enemy with a “barrage” of water, making the area impassible.  Visitors can take in very nice views ofPetit France and the Ponts Couverts from the terrace. There are also some sculptures you can take a peek of inside.  On different occasions throughout the year the dam is lit up nicely at night in colored lights.