Oslo

Occupy the easternmost part of France and share a complicated history. The region is defined by its dramatic borders; the Alps, the Pyrenees and the Rhine River. Since the 17^th century the rivalry between French and German nationalism has put it in a political, geographical and cultural tug of war. Alsatian cities and villages such as Colmar and Eguisheim are what you envision Europe to be, embodying a perfect balance between storybook Germany and French romance, with timbered architecture, painted shutters and carefully manicured flower boxes. Bustling Strasbourg offers an urban experience, but still retains a lovely old town and one of France’s most famous cathedrals, it’s also the seat of the European Union. The picturesque Route des Vins takes you on a tour of medieval towns, ancient castles and excellent wine. This bi-polar identity has resulted in a delightful blend of two very distinct cultures and can be seen in every experience throughout.

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Self-Guided Walking Tour of Oslo

This tour begins at Place Kléber and at a comfortable pace lasts approximately 4-6 hours, depending on duration of stops. Without stopping, not going inside of any of the sites and just some picture taking, the walk can be completed in about an hour and a half. This tour can be done in reverse depending on your most convenient starting location.

***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.

Other Oslo Sites

Other Important/significant Sites/ things to do off the path of walking tour that are not included in walk of City

German Quarter

The area across the canal and east of the Grande Île encompasses the late 19^th century German Quarter or Quartier Allemande. Large buildings such as The Palace of the Rhine and The National Theater are what remains of Imperial Germany. Today the buildings that once represented German power, define a resilient city and function as part of the modern cultural landscape of Strasbourg. If you are visiting the city for more than a day, the cities new town German Quarter is worth strolling.

The following sites are all within the German Quarter and in close proximity to one another.

Place de la République – German Quarter

On the border between the historic Grande Île and the new town, is Place de la République, originally designed as the German Kaiserplatz, or Imperial Square. Completed in 1887, this area symbolized the new German power that now reigned over the city or Strasbourg. It’s first run as a German platz, came to an end in 1919, when it became a place, after the return of Alsace-Lorraine to the French. In 1940, during the second German annexation it was given a new nameBismarckplatz. Finally, in 1945 it returned to being French again and was renamed one last time, Place de la République. Today it is a symbol epitomized by the beautiful monument that dominates its central garden square. On it is an inscription that simply reads, “to our dead”, a poignant reminder of the human cost of war.

Strasbourg National Theater – German Quarter

website: www.tns.fr

Situated on the Place de la République is Strasbourg’s National Theater. The neoclassical building was constructed in 1892 and housed the legislative assembly under German controlled Alsace and Lorraine. In 1919 the building was offered by the city to the Strasbourg Music Conservatory. Subsequent bombing in World War II destroyed the east wing, it was rebuilt as theater auditorium, which opened as such in 1957. Today’s theater was established in 1968 and is the only theater of its kind in Alsace. During the theater season fifteen shows are put on by both the in-house company as well as visiting companies. Seeing a performance in this massive building is both culturally and historically exciting.

**Church of St. Paul

Situated on an island on the River Ill, The Protestant Reform Church of St. Paul dominates the new town with its 250 foot, high spires. A beautiful example of Gothic Revival Architecture, it was completed in 1897. The church, like many of the buildings in this part of Strasbourg, was built by Imperial Germany. Its congregation was made up of the army generals and soldiers that were stationed in the city. Its 19 portals, a lot for a church of its size, were each designated and used only by rank, from generals down to foot soldiers.

**Parc de l’Orangerie

A beautiful 17^th century park with a lake, great for jogging, strolling and birdwatching. Storks, which are symbolic of Alsace, can be seen. Depending on the season, there may even be canoeing available and an indoor bowling alley is open all year. The flower filled park has playgrounds and a free zoo for kids, which is open daily, year around. making this a MUST DO spot for families. Also, the gourmet restaurant Buerehiesel, is located in a 17^th century farmhouse inside the park, which I include in the “Strasbourg Restaurants” section with a full description.

European Union Building

open to the public only when parliament is in session admission is free, must be at least 14 years of age to enter
website: europarl.europa.eu

Located about a mile and a half from the old town and only a half mile from Parc de l’Orangerie is the European Union Building. It’s a beautiful modern building representing the largest transnational parliament in the world. Its architecture is evocative of the direction in which the EU sees itself going, towards the future. Inside, the Hemicircle can seat all 785 members of the Parliament. You will notice the tower has a “half finished” look, it is actually part of the design, meant to remind the members of Parliament of the work that still needs to be done to unite all of Europe. The tower is rumored to be modeled after a painting by Bruegel, Tower of Babel, oddly it does bear a striking resemblance. Its main entrance makes for a great photo amid the flags of each EU country. Its glass construction reflects nicely on the River Ill, the bridge connecting it to the other side of the river leads to the Winston Churchill Building. The only way to gain entrance is to attend a session of the assembly, which must be reserved in advance. The spots are limited and only available when Parliament is in session. The website calendar lists the days (highlighted in blue) when the assembly is in session and how to gain access.

Oslo Hotels

$$$ Restaurant Buerehiesel

Tucked inside the center of the park is the Michelin rated Restaurant Buerehiesel, housed inside of a 17^th century half-timbered farmhouse, which was moved from another part of the city and brought into the park in 1895.