For more information, visit the Strasbourg Tourism Office at www.otstrasbourg.fr.
City region: Alsace / Grand Est
Population & what they are called: 276,170 inhabitants (2014 census), called Strasbourgeois
Access from Paris:
by road: about 4 h 45 min (306 miles) via the A4 autoroute de l'Est
by train: about 1 h 45 min by TGV from the Gare de l'Est
Famous native daughters & sons:
Marie Tussaud, founder of Madame Tussaud's wax museums
Marcel Marceau, actor and mime artist
Eliette Abécassis, writer and professor of philosophy
Most distinctive and/or unique fact or trait (or little known fact):
In Strasbourg in 1792, Rouget de Lisle composed the Army of the Rhine's battle song, which later became the French national anthem, called the “Marseillaise.”
Now home to the Council of Europe, the European Court of Human Rights and the European Parliament, the city of Strasbourg was chosen as the European capital just after World War II as a symbol of reconciliation between the peoples of Europe and of their future together.
Notable sites:
La Petite France – formerly the millers' and tanners' district, it is the city's most picturesque quarter, with narrow alleyways, canals and half-timbered houses
Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Strasbourg – an ornate Gothic masterpiece with a 466-foot (142m) spire and a famous astronomical clock
Ponts Couverts and Barrage Vauban – several formerly covered bridges, four 14th-century towers and a 17th-century dam
Top annual events:
Christmas Markets – one of the loveliest Christmas markets in Europe, and one of the oldest as it dates from 1570 (noel.strasbourg.eu/en/marches-de-noel)
ST’ART – with over 25 art galleries and over 60 contemporary works, the second largest contemporary art fair in France
Musica – international festival of contemporary classical music (festivalmusica.org)
Most notable museums:
Rohan Palace – a former residence of the prince-bishops and today the Archeological Museum (Musée Archéologique), Decorative Arts Museum (Musée des Arts Décoratifs) and Fine Arts Museum (Musée des Beaux-Arts) (en.musees.strasbourg.eu)
Musée d'Art Moderne et Contemporain – among the largest contemporary and modern art museums in the country
Musée Alsacien – dedicated to traditional Alsatian daily life
Culinary specialties:
choucroute à la strasbourgeoise – pickled cabbage (sauerkraut), salted pork, Strasbourg sausage and ham, best eaten in a winstub (local restaurant)
foie gras – Strasbourg claims the first duck foie gras to be cooked in terracotta terrines and covered in a layer of fat
kougelhopf – a light Alsatian brioche with a distinctive shape
Local wines & spirits:
Alsace AOC wines – famous whites like Riesling, Pinot Blanc, Gewurztraminer and Pinot Gris
beer – large breweries in and near town, as well as a growing number of micro-breweries, keep Strasbourg's beer culture thriving
Shopping:
any independent wine store – keep an eye out for the Fédération Nationale des Cavistes Indépendants affiliation or any clear indication of a caviste indépendent
Arts et Collections d'Alsace – sells copies of art and other objects seen in museums and throughout Alsace
Rue de la Mésange – a focal point for gourmet shopping
Most popular night spots:
Quay des Pêcheurs – the place to spend an evening in one of the unusual barge bars
Quartier Krutenau – on the south end of Grande Ile and filled with fashionable bars, restaurants, galleries and trendy shops
La Laiterie – home to several cultural institutions, including a famous rock concert hall, on the site of the former central dairy
Local population’s favorite activities (or hangouts):
Parc de l'Orangerie – the oldest park in town and a favorite place for a stroll, a jog or a day out with the kids
cycling – Strasbourg has the largest cycle network in France with some 560 km of cycle tracks
Alsace Wine route – a signposted trip to the heart of the vineyards along numerous vineyard paths (vinsalsace.com/en/)
Local industries:
biotechnology – Alsace Biovalley is a global competitiveness cluster focused on health and the life sciences and health, and bringing together the major players in the field (businesses, research laboratories, hospitals and universities) in and around Alsace
brewing – three major breweries have bases in the area: Brasseries de l'Esperance (part of the Heineken International), and Schutzenberg and La Perle, two independent Alsatian brewers with long histories
In Pop Culture:
Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows – the 2011 movie, with Robert Downey Jr. in the title role, took over the historic heart of Strasbourg during filming of the opening sequence
The Duellists – a 1977 film by Ridley Scott about an ongoing feud between two 19th-century French army officers
Théâtre national de Strasbourg – the only French national theater outside of Paris
About Top French Cities - www.francepresskit.com
Top French Cities is an association of 29 cities, from regional capitals like Bordeaux to important towns like Avignon and Versailles. They are perfect for young travelers, families and anyone else looking for fun and authentic French experiences that will fit their budget. Most of these cities are university towns with a youthful atmosphere, but all of them reflect the heritage and distinctive flavors of the regions to which they belong. Many are forward-looking too, with historic buildings repurposed to house contemporary art and activity centers like Les Docks in Marseille. Many have created or integrated new, modern museums to contrast with their classical, architectural heritage, like in Nimes, where the cutting-edge Museum of Roman Civilization (Musée de la Romanité) is located across from the historic Roman amphitheater, or in Nantes, where whimsical mechanical creatures are being created, or in the UNESCO World Heritage Site concrete city of Le Havre.