Strasbourg: Explore the unique culture of Alsace in its medieval capital

Nestled between the Vosges mountains and the Black Forest is Strasbourg, the capital of France's Alsace region. With half-timbered houses and a thousand-year-old cathedral in its UNESCO World Heritage site medival centre, it has plenty of historic charm. This contemporary and progressive city is also the seat of the EU Parliament and home to one of France’s grandest universities. You can see the Germanic influence in Strasbourg's rich, warming cuisine, and you'll see the fruits of the region’s renowned vineyards in its restaurants. Combine its picturesque canals with its scenic setting, its medieval old town with its fascinating museums, and you can’t help but be charmed by Strasbourg.

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Top Attractions in Strasbourg

Step back through the centuries at Strasbourg Cathedral

With its first stone laid in 1015, the Cathédrale Notre Dame de Strasbourg is now over a millennium old. The French Romantic writer Victor Hugo praised its “skilful combination of the monumental and the delicate” the impact of which is just as striking today. The cathedral's asymmetrical façade – the second spire was never built – has become emblematic of Strasbourg. Its details – the warmth of the pink sandstone, the radiant rose window, the intricate stonework of the central portal have amazed visitors for centuries. Climb up to the platform where the second spire would have gone for the best panorama of the city. On clear days, visitors are rewarded with views of the Black Forest in the distance.

Stop for a photo at the Ponts Couverts de Strasbourg

Standing proud since the thirteenth century, the Ponts Couverts are one of Strasbourg’s most iconic sights. Just a glance at the four sturdy towers with their arrow-slit windows will tell you that they were built for defense, and even today they feel as though they're standing guard over the half-timbered buildings of the Petite France district behind them. Though the roofs of the three connecting bridges were removed back in the 18th century, no one got around to changing the name, and they’re still known as the “covered bridges of Strasbourg”. The Ponts Couverts are a popular photo spot, with the towers reflecting in the water below against an old-town backdrop; they look especially magical when they’re lit up at night.

Take in the charming villages and vineyards of the Alsace Wine Route

Protected by the Vosges mountains, the region's vines grow under unique conditions, the grapes ripening slowly to produce rich and aromatic whites. France’s oldest wine route winds over 170 kilometres through verdant countryside from Marlenheim, west of Strasbourg, south to Thann. The Vineyards Cycleway is the perfect way to get up close and personal with this unique terroir, leading you through stunning scenery and picture-perfect medieval villages at a leisurely pace. Of course, you'll want to stop off at a few wineries along the way, but for the best experience be sure to spent a night or two along the route as well, immersing yourself in the relaxing pace of life which has changed little over the centuries.

Walk through European art history at the Musée des Beaux-Arts

Between its diverse architecture, rich culture and world-famous wine, there’s plenty to raise a glass to in Bordeaux. This elegant city is the largest urban UNESCO World Heritage site in the world, with over 350 buildings designated as historical monuments. Bordeaux is a thriving, home to independent boutiques and galleries, a diverse food scene and a packed calendar of cultural events reflecting a living, changing city. Cycle the banks of the River Garonne, pause at a café in a cobbled square, or stroll the old town’s avenues (here called cours) to get a taste of the city’s charms.

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