Strasbourg is 2 hours away from Paris by rail. Read this to learn more about a Visit to Strasbourg from Paris and the best things to do in Strasbourg France.
Strasbourg is the capital city of the Grand Est. (Alsace) region located at the northeastern tip of France, bordering Germany and Switzerland. It is an official seat of the European Parliament.
As Strasbourg lies on the border of France & Germany, its culture and architecture reflect French & German styles. Also, Strasbourg is known as the French Home of the European Parliament.
Book your stay in Strasbourg- Things To Do In Strasbourg
NOVOTEL STRASBOURG CENTRE HALLES
Best Things To Do In Strasbourg
Let’s read about some cool and best things to do in Strasbourg France and plan your Strasbourg Itinerary.
BEST TIME TO VISIT STRASBOURG, FRANCE
- SUMMER – May to August. July is – Hottest month, and May – the Wettest month.
- SPRING – March to April – Cooler evenings and early mornings. It can also be rainy many times.
- AUTUMN – September to October – Not too crowded. Harvest Festival Celebrations. The weather is pleasant and beautiful.
- WINTER – November to December – Freezing and also lesser crowds. You have one of the world’s famous Christmas carnivals and street markets in December.
How to reach? – Visit to Strasbourg from Paris
- Strasbourg is France’s most charming fairy-tale city, surrounded by the famous Black Forest. This city comprises medieval-styled half-timber houses covered with fresh flowers, cobbled stoned street squares, and elegant mansions.
- In summers, cafe tables take over all open spaces making it a lively place to visit.
- Snowy Strasbourg looks like a wonderland with the best Christmas markets in Europe in winter.
- There is a 3 to 3.5 hours train drive from Paris to Strasbourg. Let’s explore not to be missed places while Visit to Strasbourg from Paris.
OTHER NEAREST INTERNATIONAL AIRPORTS –
- Zurich – 2 hours 20 minutes by train
- Frankfurt – 2 hours by train.
- There are also many domestic European airports near Strasbourg.
BEST THINGS TO DO IN STRASBOURG, FRANCE – Strasbourg Itinerary
CATHEDRALE NOTRE DAME DE STRASBOURG
This magnificent 15th-century Roman Catholic church is made of rose-colored sandstone and is one of France’s most iconic places to visit. The highlight of this church is a medieval astronomical clock with a daily performance at 12:30 PM.
It hosts one of the most beautiful winter markets in the square.
CENTRE VILLE DE STRASBOURG
It is the core of Strasbourg, surrounded by Gothic architecture, and floral displays full of lively cosmopolitan vibes.
PLACE KLEBER
The central and largest square of Strasbourg is the heart of the city. It is also Strasbourg’s historic center known as Grand Ille(Grand Island), and so this area was classified as a world heritage site in 1988 by UNESCO.
There lies the statue of Kleber in the center.
LA PETITE FRANCE
La Petite is one of the stunning parts of Strasbourg. Located on Grand Ill between III river and the center of the city. This area is famous for numerous canals and historic buildings also known as Small France, by French people.
This area is filled with rustic half-timber houses decorated with flowers and sandstone buildings. This is also a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1988.
MUSEE ALSACIEN
In this museum, tourists can glimpse folk art, traditions, and charming replicas of ancient houses depicting the rural life of Alsace.
EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT
As Strasbourg is an official seat of the European Parliament, this huge glass building has lots of significance not only to France but to the whole of Europe. It is closed on weekends and public holidays for visitors.
PALAIS ROHAN
Also known as Versailles in miniature, this is an 18th-century residence with treasures. This Palace possesses Hannong ceramics and gleaming silverware depicting the lavish French lifestyle of the 18th century.
BOAT TOUR IN III RIVER
This river canal of Alsace is a western tributary of the Rhine. Boating and kayaking are preferred to experience the city’s most stunning views.
DISCOVER THE BRIDGES
Strasbourg has more than 20 bridges with cute and picturesque parts of the city. The Barrage Vauban built in 17th century is the most famous bridge.
QUARTER KRUTENAU
Most lively neighborhoods of Strasbourg with old-world charm, trendy restaurants, and art shops. There is a friendly village atmosphere in this quarter. It is a pleasant area for walking or stroll around.
STRASBOURG RAILWAY STATION
- It is the second largest train station in France, which lies 1 km north of the III river in the center of the city.
- Very convenient to go to Germany and Switzerland from this place. There are nearly 14 trains in a day between Paris & Strasbourg, which takes about 2 hours and 20 minutes.
- If traveling to Switzerland and Germany, it is very convenient. Basel & Luzern are about 1 hour & 2 hours away from here.
- Freiburg and Triberg which is Germany’s highest waterfalls are on the edge of famous BLACK FOREST is just an hour away from Strasbourg. Strasbourg is surrounded by the Black Forest and is recommended highly for stunning scenic beauty.
- Many trains are passing from Strasbourg, which can take you to these Black Forest countryside stations.
- Strasbourg can also be reached by Munich through rail taking 4 hours and 20 minutes.
EGLISE DE SAINT THOMAS – Visit to Strasbourg from France
This is located on the ancient church site of the 6th century. This old church was destroyed by fire and was rebuilt in the 12th century. This church has a 400-year-old clock, and its bell is heard all over the city.
List of Annual International Festival and events held in Strasbourg, France
- Christmas Market (Nov. 28th to December 31st)
- European Fantastic Film Festival (September)
- Strasbourg Festival of Music (June). The annual 2-week festival focuses on classical composers.
- Festival of Musica of Today’s Music (Sept-Oct) Three-week festival with musicians from all over the world performing modern music and new styles of music.
- Street Arts Festival (mid-August) Street performers perform in the city center, making the whole of Strasbourg more lively.
RECOMMENDED TIPS FOR VISIT TO STRASBOURG FROM PARIS | Things to do in Strasbourg in One Day
- Strasbourg tour can be more fascinating if done through walking tours. Also, you can catch trams running through this historic city’s beautiful streets.
- Go and explore nearby wine regions – A half-day wine tour from Strasbourg.
- Read Strasbourg Tram’s step-by-step guide for timetables and how to buy tickets. Cycle/Bike Around and try some Alsatian cuisine in the rustic restaurants of Strasbourg.
- Read more on Where to eat in Strasbourg.
- As I have previously said that Strasbourg is located in the beautiful Alsace region, then go for day trips to nearby beautiful towns. Read more on what to do in the Alsace region?
Feel the poetic city of tiny rivers and narrow alleys adding rustic charm to the town.
WHERE TO STAY IN STRASBOURG – Paris to Strasbourg day trip
Near III river (river view hotel), near Grand ILLE with historic city view or LA PETITE area in a rustic boutique hotel. View of Strasbourg city and river from my hotel room. I stayed in Novotel Strasbourg Centre Halles near the river with a picturesque view.
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Strasbourg is a relatively safe city in Europe. So let’s do a Visit to Strasbourg from Paris.
So, till then KEEP TRAVELING……………… KEEP EXPLORING……………………………………………………
Loved it… Then Pin It… Paris to Strasbourg Day Trip
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I am building my future Europe wish list. And Strasburg will now definitely be on that list. I can certainly see the German influence in the architecture. I love that view of the Notre Dame Cathedral at the end of the narrow street. It would call to me for sure. A boat tour would be a great way to see this city from a different perspective. And to see the variety of bridges. A charming spot to visit!
Ah, Strasbourg! Your photos are stunning and bring back memories of my time there last summer. My favorite area is La Petite France. I love all the canals!
I have to say IT IS SO GERMANY! 😀
It’s always interesting to see a place where two cultures mix! Good to know this place (as I never hear before) and your guide is great.
I love paris, because it’s city of love and dream. I have visited 5 time in paris with my girlfriend, It was an awesome time, I want to go again paris.
Hi Yukit, Strasbourg is my in wish list. I’ve read many articles related to Strasbourg and also saw plenty of old and latest images. I really thankful of you for sharing such a helpful information about the Strasbourg. Whenever I plan to visit Strasbourg, I’ll remember your blog.
Strasbourg is amazing! I went for a long weekend a couple of years ago and it was just great. Can’t wait to go again!
The buildings were so beautiful! And we had some amazing beers, but that is just something my family love 😛
Great to know that you loved Strasbourg
Strasbourg is an amazing city. We fell in love with it as soon as we arrived. There are great views from the top of the cathedral. We just loved wandering the streets and getting lost.
Yes I too got charmed by beautiful city of Strasbourg
Strasbourg is indeed nothing short of a revelation. So charming with a vintage elegance. A two hour ride train ride from Paris, that is quite near. Wish we could have made it there when we were in Paris. Your pictures bring alive the vibrancy and charm of the place so well. Especially interested in the Cathedral Notre Dame.
Yes Strasbourg is worth visiting because of its vintage charm and natural surroundings.
I love Strasbourg!! So beautiful and the food is delicious!
Great round-up of all the things to see in this lovely little city. I absolutely loved Strasbourg – even more than Paris…especially the wide variety of foods you could get in the area of the world.
Thanks Shelley!
Reading this made me want to visit Strasbourg! and its beautiful. Thank you for the insight to this beautiful town, and teaching me how to get there!
Strasbourg is grand and beautiful. I liked the architecture of all the monuments. Palais Rohan seems very interesting to me..Great websites! Thanks for sharing.
I had been to Strasbourg and instantly fell in love with it. Unfortunately it was raining so i couldn’t explore as much as i wanted. I absolutely loved the La Petite and boat ride. Your post brought back my memories about Strasbourg.
Strasbourg looks like the perfect picturesque European town. I unfortunately haven’t made it outside of Paris in France yet but would love to visit the Alsace region. It’s pretty incredible that there are multiple UNESCO sites just within Strasbourg alone. And I love your suggestion of renting bikes and biking around the city!
These European towns are the stuff of fairy tale. Prior to reading your post, I didn’t even know that Strasbourg existed. I love the beautiful architecture and I am sure that I would be spellbound seeing them in person. It’s like walking into a fairy tale book or stepping back in time.
I love the idea of travelling around Europe but I spend all the time in South America. I must try and get back for the Christmas market one day soon. You’ve definitely inspired me with your photographs of all that amazing architecture 🙂 Keep up the good work!
The first time we saw the half-timbered houses was in the German city of Nuremberg they are absolutely stunning and would be top reasons for us to visit Strasbourg. The city looks like a great place to visit for the numerous bridges and the magnificent architecture of the Notredam and the Palais Rohan. Good to know its only 2 hours from Paris definitely on our list.
I’ve been wanting to visit Strasbourg for a long time, but I didn’t realize there are so many cute neighborhoods — such as Quarter Krutenau and La Petite France. I also didn’t realize that it’s only two hours from Paris by train — so convenient for a Gothic getaway! I hope to get there soon, and I think it would be fun to bike around or kayak the river, as you suggested! Thanks for the tips and travel inspiration! 🙂
Reading this made me want to visit Strabourg! What a quaint town it seriously looks like it is out of a disney set. I feel like this would be a great little side trip to Paris since you can get there so easily by train. It seems like this would be spectacular at Christmas time too!
Sounds like Strasbourg is a fabulous day trip from Paris – and I can definitely see the charming fairy tale allure! The cathedral is absolutely stunning (as are your photos!) I’m obsessed with medieval architecture at the moment, so can’t believe I haven’t yet been! Love the colorful buildings in Grand Ille, and La Petite looks like something straight out of Beauty and the Beast!
So charming! I might actually throw out the day trip and stay a couple of days 🙂
I always knew that Strasbourg was one of the seats of the EU and never really wanted to visit it. However, the fact that it’s on the French/German border makes it more attractive to me now. I would also like to check out the Christmas market in its due season.
I love your articles where you bring out the beauty of these small, little, cute, quaint and gem of places. Europe is known for gorgeous landscapes and architectural beauty. I am sure Strasbourg is another gorgeous place that gives a cultural mix of France and Germany. I would love to go here for the magical winterland, for its famous cathedral, for the bridges, for the boat tour and more.
Truly, Europe is home to great architectures. Also it looks like that Strasbourg is cross cultural due to its geographical location. The city is so peaceful with its vibrant color. How I wish it’s easy for me to go there.
We absolutely loved Strasbourg and Colmar. Your pictures are stunning. Kx
Strasbourg is grand and beautiful. I liked the architecture of all the monuments. Palais Rohan seems very interesting to me. I would love to visit here and walk through all the bridges exploring the town.
Strausburg looks beautiful! I’ve been wanting to go the the Alsace region of France for AGES, and what a perfect first stop this would make! I think I’d probably take literally thousands of pictures in La Petite alone. So nice that it’s less than 2.5 hours away from Paris by train!
Love this trip… reminded me of my own in Strassbourg. The cathedral is hard to capture in one frame.
You are right it has still retained the old world charm. I am itching to go back again if I get a chance.
Ahhh I LOVE LOVE LOVE the Alsace region of France! We visited Colmar but were so close to visiting Strasbourg! It looks gorgeous! I guess we will need to make the trip back again!
Okay.. I can’t be the only one getting major beauty and the best vibes here. That town is probably the most picturesque place I have seen this month! I would love to do a tour of the 20 bridges while I am there and note the difference between all of them! I have always wanted to visit France, but I never know where to go other than Paris. Thank you for the insight to this beautiful town, and teaching me how to get there!
The half timber houses of La Petite France are adorable. I love city with bridges, it always enhances the aesthetic beauty of cities! Impressed to know Strasbourg is the second largest train station in France.
Strasbourg is such an interesting place to visit. I know of the Cathederal. I saw it somewhere yesterday but those bridges are new to me and wow! They are pretty much many. I’d love a boat ride in River III and explore the in and out of medieval city. And I wonder what a Christmas market would look like here.
I have heard about Strasbourg but I have always thought it was in Germany!😳😅 Thats great that I found your guide to Strasbourg or I would still belive that this city lays in Germany! Every thing really are beautiful and impressive from the cathedral de notre dam to the more modern Strasbourg railway station! And particular La petite France, very lovely it must be walking there! It is not far from Bern so hopefully I could do a weekend getaway to Strasbourg!
I’ve yet to visit Strasbourg, but it looks so pretty. You can definitely see the medieval influence in the buildings, and the mini Versailles is incredible. I’ve yet to see any bad photos of the Notre Dame, and yours is particularly stunning! A beautiful and colorful place I’d like to visit for sure.
Strasbourg is such an inviting place alone and yet France has so many beautiful destinations to offer its visitors. Thank you for sharing your journey through words and beautiful photos. This is exactly why I am passionate about travel blogging.
the colourful buildings in Place Kleber look so beautiful, there is one pink building in Toronto that looks like those, unfortunately the buildings here are not as architecturally beautiful as they are in Strasbourg and it does look very ‘poetic’. I think I’d love to experience a Christmas Market here
Ok! That’s one more of the 3 seats of European Parliament. Soon I’m gonna go check out the EU Parliament in Brussels. Good to see Strasbourg through your blog!
Boat Trip on River is always awesome. Notre Dame cathedral is just spectacular….
You know – when I first saw your photos I thought of German architecture…but then I read Strasbourg is in France. Totally makes sense that it is on the border because you can truly see the influences. Miniature Versailles would totally be interesting to visit – its architecture looks beautiful. I think what I would love most to do is visit the Christmas market!!!
France isn’t high on my list at all but seeing photos of this place certainly makes me rethink that! Some beautiful buildings there, straight out of a fairy tale. The idea of cycling around during one of those great festivals, perhaps the Christmas market one, sounds absolutely amazing!
It’s always impressive to see the old French bridges and 20 of them is a lot! These are outdone by the Instagrammable and colorful houses of the UNESCO center. The Notre Dame of Strasbourg is one of the most impressive I have seen, especially with the historic buildings surrounding it.