Travel Eye on Strasbourg (France)

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Overview:

As far back as roman times this City has prospered due to its excellent transport links between northern and central Europe with the Mediterranean. Its proximity to Germany and Switzerland is also instrumental in the growth of the tourist industry and it now welcomes nearly 3 million tourists every year.

It's easy to see why Strasbourg is so popular. Its location makes it an ideal stop over for those travelling through Europe and there's more than enough to keep visitors occupied and entertained no matter how long there visit may be.

The surrounding region is unquestionably beautiful and the inner city has cosmopolitan charm that is hard to resist. Its Germanic roots are reflected in its culture, art and gastronomy, not to mention its wine and beer brewing. It is, therefore, often perceived as being one of more accessible and friendly of French cities. A reputation, I might add, that serves it well.

Classed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, this charming quarter contains timber-framed dwellings with unusual gables and bay windows, narrow streets, and cobbled and grassy quays with a dozen or so lovely little bridges, iron railings, weeping willows and gliding swans.

Strasbourg attracts lovers of culture, history and fine food. There is a a broad range of 2- and 3-star hotels with a few 4-stars; for modest purses there are at least half-a-dozen cheapies.

Today, Strasbourg is the symbol of European unity, and accordingly is headquarters to the Council of Europe, the European Parliament, and the European Court and Commission for Human Rights. The complex history of Strasbourg is evident in the unique blend of French-German architecture, cuisine, dialect, political consciousness, and the residents' deep pride in being Alsatian.

Locality:

Strasbourg is located in France, right in the heart of Europe. It is situated on the eastern border between France and Germany and is the capital of the Bas Rhin region of Alsace. On the River Rhine, in a broad valley of cultivated fields, orchards and vineyards bordered by the Vosges Mountains and the Black Forest.

Entertainment/Facilities/Attractions/Things to do:

The Cathedral - The cathedral of Strasbourg stands on a large paved square since the Middle Ages. Its construction took nearly three centuries, from the oriental parts begun in 1176 to the spire finished in 1439. The spire and the facade are the most remarkable elements of the cathedral. The main facade, made of pink sandstone, is of a fantastic ornamental wealth.

The Fine Arts Museum - Situated at the first floor of the Palais Rohan, it presents a very beautiful collection of Italian, French, Spanish, Flemish and Dutch paintings, of the XIVth century up until 1870. Works of Giotto, Memling, Botticelli, Raphael, Le Correge, Veronese, Le Greco, Ribera, Philippe de Champaigne, Vouet, Claude Lorrain, Rubens, Van Dyck, Ruysdael; and many more are on display.

The Place de la Republique - It is cornered by five official majestic buildings caracteristic of the architecture under the reign of the Prussian emperors after 1870. In the center, a monument stands to honor the dead, erected in 1936 by the sculptor Drivier. It represents a mother with her two sons, one dead for France, the other for Germany, a dramatic situation experienced by the Alsatians during both world wars.

There is a wide assortment of good restaurants, including ethnic. Regional specialities include sauerkraut, sausages, hams, 42 different kinds of pate and kidney, chicken, trout and salmon dishes.

There are several department stores, myriad boutiques, all the fashionable names. Splendid epicurean products (pate de foie gras was invented in Strasbourg), glassware, pottery, carved wood, dolls, printed materials and artificial flowers. There are flea markets held on Wed and Sat.

Daytime offer strolls around Grand Ile, the cathedral with its astronomic clockthe Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, the Rohan Palace including a fine arts museum, the museum of decorative arts and archaeological museum, an Old Butcher's Hall housing folk-art museum.

Nightlife brings an active opera and theatre companies, more than 30 cinemas showing films with French subtitles, a choice of discos and bars, all easily sniffed out by devotees.