OTHER CHANGE, include "visit Strasbourg" in the opening H2 sentence.
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I.e. "Visit Strasbourg for fairy tale charm that will exceed your expectations. It's definitely a must-see stop when visiting France.
Strasbourg is a charming fairy tale town that exceeds all expectations! Strasbourg a must-see stop when visiting France.
One of the reasons I was so excited to move to Germany was the close proximity of so many countries. I had the opportunity to visit Strasbourg, France which is just 150 km from Stuttgart, Germany. This is terribly exciting being from Canada when (not counting the U.S.), the next closest country is Mexico which is still a 5-hour flight!
I have heard that Strasbourg is a charming city, but it exceeded my already high expectations. If you have the chance to visit Strasbourg, I can't recommend it enough.
Related Reading: Mayenne: The Ideal Boating Holiday in France and What You Need to Know
Where is Strasbourg?
Strasbourg is located in France in a region known as Alsace which is bordered by both Switzerland and Germany. It is in fact so close to Germany that the nearest German city, Kehl, is just 15 minutes away by train!
Can I get to Paris from here you ask? Definitely! There are on average about 18 trains a day between Strasbourg and Paris. The journey takes approximately 2 hours, so you could even manage a day trip if you're in the area.
Related Reading: Your Travel Guide to ParisStorybook charm in Strasbourg.
Well OK, don't picture the nibbling on the croissant part. The French would never be so crass as to eat on the go - that's so....sniff...for Americans, who haven't figured out that food is to be enjoyed while sitting down over a leisurely meal, not gobbled down absent-mindedly. But I digress.....
Related Reading: Neuschwanstein: How to Make the Most of Your Visit to the Cinderella CastleWhen you visit Strasbourg, France, you don't have to imagine it, you can see it for yourself in the Petit France Quarter, my favourite part of Strasbourg.
What to see in Strasbourg
#1) Visit Strasbourg to see the cathedral of Notre Dame.
This Gothic-style church is truly breath-taking, especially at dusk and is very old. The construction of the Notre Dame Cathedral in Strasburg started on the in 1015 but the Cathedral was only completed in 1439. Imagine, it took over 400 years to build a cathedral!
Its spire is an impressive 143 meters high and was the highest at one point in history! The Cathedral of Notre Dame in Strasbourg even has an astronomical clock that is attractive for the work of its automatons which puts on an excellent show every day at 12:30 pm.
#2) The city of Strasbourg is declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and it is the only city in all of France to have this honour, where the whole city is declared a World Heritage Site.
After spending a couple of days wandering around this charming city, complete with swan and stork filled canals, it was clear to us that Strasbourg certainly deserved this honour.
Here you feel transported back in time and can almost see the fisherman going out for the daily catch in his row-boat and the millers and tanners going about their daily work. No wonder that it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Related Reading: #1 Thing to Do in Grenoble, France
#3) Strasbourg is also home to the European Parliament, which is a strikingly modern building in contrast with the center of historic Strasbourg.
It's the capital city of Alsace and the official seat of the European Parliament, which you can visit. Tours are available and I think would be very interesting, but we were visiting on a holiday when everything was closed, but a tour of the European Parliament merits another reason to visit Strasbourg.
You can also visit the European Parliament in Strasbourg without a tour but the times are limited. Click here to find out more about the visitor's schedule.
There is a whopping 500 km of bike paths in Strasbourg. More than any other city in France. Bikes are everywhere and are a good option if you are sight-seeing outside the city center, not to mention environmentally friendly and easy on a travellers budget.
Biking is also a great way to take in the views while working off those amazing French pastries that you just have to indulge in. They can be rented from hotels at reasonable rates.
Related Reading: Loving the Festival of Lights in Lyon
Although I haven't visited Strasbourg during the Christmas markets, a friend of mine who lived there for six months, said they're not to be missed and I believe it. Strasbourg is already such a charming city, I can only imagine it at Christmas time.
The Christmas market or Christkindelsmärik, as the Strasbourg locals call it, has been taking place since around 1570. That makes it one of the oldest Christmas markets in Europe! You will find the Strasbourg Christmas market between 29 November and 31 December every year.
Related Reading: 7 Tips to Make the Most of Your Visit to a German Christmas Market
I'm hardly alone in my love of Strasbourg. Check out Jeff's post (from EuroTravelogue)to see what I mean: Storybook Villages Come to Life in Alsace, France.
Where to stay in Strasbourg
The Historic City Center is a firm favourite with Strasbourg visitors as it is in close proximity to almost all the sites. It is also close to the Central Train Station which is a huge plus in my book.
3-Star Hotels in Strasbourg
The hotel has a 9.0/10 Rating with more than 800 Reviews. The location is excellent, just 850 m away from the City Centre. The Hotel is known for its excellent service and buffet breakfast and is a favourite with couples.
Hotel Arok has a 9.3/10 Rating with more than 1500 Reviews. The Hotel has an excellent location and the best part is that it's almost right next to the Train Station.
4-Star Hotels in Strasbourg
This stunning hotel is located just 300 m from the City Centre and surrounded by great Restaurants and Bars. The Hotel has a 9.1/10 Rating with over 4000 Reviews. And the best part ... each room has its own minibar with free soft drinks.
If you love being immersed in history then this is the place to stay. This amazing Hotel is set in a renovated 16th-Century building! The hotel also has a 9.3/10 Rating with an excellent location.
5-Star Hotels in Strasbourg
This highly-rated hotel is the place to stay if you are in need of some good old fashioned R&R. The hotel was once a 17th-century mill. Now you'll find an on-site restaurant and a wellness center with a sauna, hammam, hot tub, and massage treatments.
The hotel has a rating of 9.2/10. The hotel offers modern room decor. Make sure to ask for a room with a River view, it is a must-have when staying here.
