Strasbourg, France

The historic city of Strasbourg, Leicester’s twin since 1960, is situated in the Alsace region in Eastern France.

Strasbourg covers an area of 78.27 square kilometres with a population of almost 280,000, making it France’s seventh largest city.

Strasbourg lies in the heart of Europe and is often called the ‘Crossroads of Europe’. It is home to a number of international organisations, including:

• European Parliament

• Council of Europe

• European Court of Human Rights

• European Science Foundation

• European Audiovisual Observatory

• International Space University

A brief excursion through Strasbourg

Strasbourg Cathedral

Strasbourg Cathedral is known as one of the most beautiful gothic cathedrals in Europe. The Astronomical clock, located inside the Cathedral, is a mid-19^th century version of the original 14^th century clock. The key time to see it in action is 12:30 (Parade of the Apostles). 

Link to Strasbourg Cathedral

The square around Strasbourg's Cathedral is a jumble of old houses, restaurants, hotels and shops.

Today a restaurant, the ground floor of House of Kammerzell was built in 1467. The three upper floors were added more than a century later, and have highly carved half-timbering.

Link to House of Kammerzell

La Petite France

This is the most picturesque district of old Strasbourg. 

Link to La Petite France

A cycling city

Strasbourg claims to be France’s most cyclable city, having opened its first cycle tracks in the 1970s. Today it has 500 km of cycling infrastructure, 50 bike parking facilities and 6,000 bike racks. Some 130,000 people ride on the city’s bike routes every day.

Cycling map of Strasbourg

Tram

With its 53 km of commercial lines, its 6 existing lines and its 69 stations, its tram network is the longest in France and the only one to be meshed. In a few years’ time, it will also put Kehl, in Germany, within easy reach.       

Tram map of Strasbourg

Museums

Strasbourg boasts a number of museums, including:

• The Palais Rohan
• The Alsatian Museum  
• The Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art
• The Zoological Museum                                           
• The Tomi Ungerer Museum
• Historical Museum        
• The Oeuvre Notre-Dame Museum

Parc de l’Orangerie

The Parc de l’Orangerie is the oldest garden in the city. Strasbourg's most beautiful park features children's playgrounds, a small animal enclosure, a stork raising station and a lake for boat hire. In summer, concerts are frequently held in the Josephine Pavilion.

Facts

Did you know?

• Strasbourg is over 2,000 years old. The first mention of the city dates back to 12 B.C. 

• Strasbourg is the capital of foie gras. What is generally regarded as the best foie gras is produced in the province of Strasbourg.

• One of the loveliest regions of France, Alsace compelled the Sun King Louis XIV to comment ‘Quel beau jardin!’ (‘What a beautiful garden!). Once part of the German Empire, Alsace became French under the Sun King Louis XIV in 1681.

• The University of Strasbourg has attracted great names like Goethe, Napoleon and Pasteur.

• ‘La Marseillaise’ is the national anthem of France. The name of the song was originally ‘War Song for the Army of the Rhine’. It was written and composed by Rouget de Lisle in 1792 and adopted in 1795 as the nation’s first anthem. Rouget de Lisle sang it for the first time at the home of Dietrich, Mayor of Strasbourg.

• It is in Strasbourg that Gutenberg, a German goldsmith and businessman, invented the movable type printing press in 1436.

Link to Strasbourg website.

Link to City of Leicester European Twinning Association.