Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Strasbourg is urban Alsace at its best—it feels like a giant Colmar with rivers and street-
cars. It's a progressive, livable city, with generous space devoted to pedestrians, scads of
bikes, mod trams, meandering waterways, and a young, lively mix of university students,
Eurocrats, and street people. This city of about 270,000 residents has an Amsterdam-like
feel. Bordering the west bank of the Rhine River, Strasbourg provides the ultimate blend
of Franco-Germanic culture, architecture, and ambience. A living symbol of the hope for
perpetual peace between France and Germany, Strasbourg was selected as home to the
EuropeanParliament,theEuropeanCouncil(sharingadministrativeresponsibilitiesforthe
European Union with Brussels, Belgium), and the European Court of Human Rights.
Planning Your Time
Strasbourg makes a good day trip from Colmar. And, thanks to high-speed TGV-train ser-
vice, it also makes a handy stop for train travelers en route to or from Paris (baggage stor-
age available). The Alsatian Museum is the only museum worth the admission—you're
here to see the cathedral, wander the waterways, and take a bite out of the big city. Plan
on three hours to hit the highlights, starting at Strasbourg's dazzling cathedral (arrive in
Strasbourg by 10:30 so you can comfortably make the noon cathedral clock performance)
and ending with the district called La Petite France (ideally for lunch).
