The Strasbourg-Ville Train Station stands as the second largest in France and likely holds a position as one of the most distinctive in Europe. This station was opened in 1883, where the Basle–Cologne and Paris-Vienna routes intersected. It was designed by German architect Johann Eduard Jocobsthal to replace a smaller station that was in a dead-end location.

The station is 120 meters long and has two floors. The ground floor is on the same level as the square in front of it, while the upper floor is a bit higher than the train tracks. The front of the building, done in a Neo-Renaissance style, served both travelers and goods, and there was also a yard for marshaling.

In 1901, a post office was added on a single facet of the structure, and later, a police station was constructed on the opposite side of the building. Initially, the station had nine tracks, but in 2007, during a renovation, they added four more tracks, mostly for the TGV arrivals.

The 120-meter-long dome made of steel and glass that stretches across the old building was designed by Jean-Marie Duthilleul, an architect from the French railroad company (SNCF). There's a 25-meter space between the dome and the station's front. Here, you'll find the entrance to the subway, a reception area, the Tourist Office, and a cafe/snack bar.

From this station, you can catch trains to Switzerland, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany, as well as to most towns in France. If you're interested in a day trip to Paris, the TGV will get you there in a little over two hours.

It is well worth taking time to visit the Place Kleber which is the biggest square in the heart of the city’s commercial district. The square has been a central meeting place since it was laid out in the 14th century and it took its name in 1840 after the General Jean Baptiste Kleber, whose statue stands in the center of the square. The general served in Napoleon’s army during the campaign in Egypt in 1798 and 1799. The statue was erected in 1838 by Philippe Grass.

When Napoleon returned to Paris, he named the Kleber Commander of the French Forces. Kleber was assassinated in 1800 in Cairo. His body was repatriated and kept in the Chateau d’If off the Marseille coast until being interred in his native Strasbourg thirty years later. The general’s remains are in a vault under the statue.

An interesting building along the north side of the square is the Aubette building, built in 1772 by Jacque-François Blondel. Once a military post, it was given its name in the 19th century, from the dawn (aube) changing of the guard. In 1928 three avant-garde artists Jean Arp, Theo van Doesburg and Sophie Taeuber-Arp decorated the interior of the building. This work of art is often called the "Sistine Chapel of Abstract Art" for its artistic beauty. Nowadays, the Aubette building is an artistic and historical landmark with on Place Kléber and is enjoyed by locals and tourists alike. Admission to the building is free.

Located on the Grand Île and right in the center of old Strasbourg, Grand Arcades Street is one of the city's central shopping districts. You'll find the street packed day and night, and all of the buildings have shops of every description. There are international everyday brands that you'll recognize, as well as small local boutiques.

Among the many brands you'll find along the Grand Arcades Street are Sephora, Dr. Martens, and Starbucks. If you're hungry, there are various fast-food chains, sidewalk cafés, and fine-dining restaurants available.

The street is pedestrian-only, as are most of the side streets in the area. That makes it a great place to stroll and see the sights of Strasbourg. Near its midpoint, the street forms the eastern edge of the Kléber Square. The street ends on the south side at the Gutenberg Square, a stone's throw away from the Notre Dame Cathedral of Strasbourg.

The Cathédral Square lies just north and west of the Strasbourg Cathedral. It is one of the best places to admire the exterior of the magnificent Rayonnant Gothic cathedral. The north side of the building, adjacent to the square, has some of the most impressive details and ornamentation.

The cathedral was begun in 1015, with significant contributions by architect Erwin von Steinbach starting in 1277. Work was continued by his son and then his grandson. The building was completed in 1439.

The impressive western face of the cathedral is best viewed from the square. Here you'll get a great view of the rose window. The three west portals each have particular themes to their decoration. The left shows the infancy of Christ, the central depicts the redemption, and the right shows the Last Judgement. The sculptures date to the 13th century.

As seen from the Cathedral Square, one of the most prominent features is the octagonal bell tower and spire. It is located on the northwest corner of the building. Despite plans for two towers, the building was completed with only one. The tower initially featured a Virgin Mary statue on the top, but this was replaced by a fleuron ornament in 1488.

At 142 meters (466 feet), the cathedral was the world's tallest building for 277 years, from 1647 until 1874. Today it is the sixth-tallest church in the world and the tallest building anywhere built in the Middle Ages.

The northern and western sides of the Cathedral Square, opposite the church, are home to various boutique shops and cafés. The square connects to the Frères Street on the east and Mercière Street on the west.

Until 1874 the Strasbourg Cathedral was the world's tallest building; today it is the 6th tallest church and its tower dominates the Strasbourg skyline.

Described by Victor Hugo as a "gigantic and delicate marvel", and by Goethe as a "sublimely towering, wide-spreading tree of God", the cathedral is visible far across the plains of Alsace and can be seen from as far off as the Vosges Mountains or the Black Forest on the other side of the Rhine. Sandstone from Vosges, used in construction, gives the cathedral its characteristic pink hue.

The building took many centuries to finish and has three distinctive styles. Its crypt, dating back to 1015, has been expanded over the centuries. The North Tower, built in 1439, stands 142 meters high and on a clear day you can see for over 30 kilometers from its observation deck. The Lawrence Portal in the North Transept was finished in 1505 in a markedly post-Gothic, early-Renaissance style.

Most of the statues in the cathedral are copies of the originals kept at the Oeuvre Notre-Dame Museum. The stunning Astronomical Clock, built in 1843 to replace an earlier clock, is 18 meters high and is one of the largest in the world.

The clock show, including a 30-minute movie presentation with English subtitles, is at 12:30 pm in the summer, but you must be there at around 11:30 am to book your entry at the back door of the Cathedral, since the places are limited. Climbing up the tower is not difficult, as long as you can manage 330 steps - and it's worth the effort!

Built right next to the towering Strasbourg Cathedral, Rohan Palace was used to house the prince-bishops and cardinals of the House of Rohan. Rohan was a French noble family from Brittany.

It has been considered a masterpiece of French Baroque architecture since it was finished in 1742. Many monarchs have visited the premises, including Louis XV, Marie Antoinette, Napoleon and Joséphine, and Charles X. It is one of the most important architectural and historic buildings in the city.

These days, the Palace is home to three incredible museums--the Archaeological Museum in the basement, the Museum of Decorative Arts on the ground floor, and the Museum of the Fine Arts on the second and third floors. There is also a municipal art gallery in one wing.

The Palace is still used for major diplomatic events. In 1985, American President Ronald Reagan dined in the Palace while visiting European Parliament. In 2009, US President Barack Obama met with French President Nicolas Sarkozy.

The city's Archaeological Museum is located in the basement. Many artifacts from the original collection were destroyed in the 1870 Siege of Strasbourg. The new collection has been recreated and put together since then. There is a particular focus on Argentoratum, the Roman settlement that eventually became Strasbourg.

The Museum of Decorative Arts lies above on the ground floor. The collection was established in 1887 from the collections of Kunstgewerbe-Museum Hohenlohe. Here you'll see original furnishings from the cardinal's apartments. Of special interest are locally produced porcelains and clockmaking. Parts of the original 1354 astronomical clock from the Strasbourg Cathedral are housed here and on display.

The two floors above are home to the Museum of Fine Arts. The original collection was established in 1803 but destroyed in 1870. Today you'll see a fine collection of European art spanning from the 13th to 19th centuries. Italian, Flemish, and Dutch painters are highly featured. Some highlights include Botticelli, Jacob Jordaens, and Hans Memling.

Why You Should Visit:
The Palais de Rohan is a highlight of Baroque architecture in the city. Visiting the Palace is its own history lesson, with a glimpse at how the city's aristocrats lived in luxury.
Beyond the Palace itself, visiting the three museums is worth your time. The museums span such various themes and periods that they have a little something for everyone.

Tips:

All museums share one common entrance, but once in, you can choose your destination. When you buy a ticket to one museum, you receive a discount on the subsequent admission. This setup means that you can spend less and only visit the museum or museums that interest you the most.

Maroquin Street (Rue du Maroquin) is a notable thoroughfare located in the heart of Strasbourg. This street extends from Place du Marché-aux-Cochons-de-Lait to Place de la Cathédrale and is linked to Rue du Vieil-Hôpital through Rue des Tailleurs-de-Pierre. Since 1973, it has been designated as a pedestrian zone. The name of this narrow street pays homage to its historical association with numerous shoemakers who were established there over the years.

Starting from 1995, the municipal authorities installed bilingual street signs in both French and Alsatian languages, as the traditional street names were still prevalent in the Strasbourg dialect. Hence, Rue du Maroquin is accompanied by the subtitle Kurwegass.

Currently, only the old buildings on the western side (odd-numbered addresses) of the street remain intact. Most structures on the eastern side were razed in the late 1850s to facilitate the establishment of the Imperial School of the Military Health Service of Strasbourg, which utilized the premises until 1870.

The even-numbered addresses (2, 4, and 6) partly border the small medieval garden of the Musée de l'Œuvre Notre-Dame. This museum was established in 1937 under the guidance of curator Hans Haug. Notably, since 2004, the passageway connecting Maroquin Street to Château Square has been named after him: "passage Hans-Haug".

Place du Marché-aux-Cochons-de-Lait (French for “Suckling Pigs Market Square”) over the centuries has gone by many different names, featuring both German and French titles, reflecting the city's evolution and affiliation with the two countries.

Originally, back in 1240, it was known simply as Holzmerket (“Wood Market”), referring to the wood marketplace that used to occupy a vast space brought about by the emerging port activities in the Middle Ages. Then, in 1328, the area changed name to the more poetic Unter den Holzlüten (German: “Under the Wood Flowers”). In 1600 it became known as Holzstaden (German: “Wood Street”) and, in 1672, as Krautmarkt (German: “Herb Market”), followed by Pfährelmarkt (German: “Stake Market”, 1732), Alter Krautmarkt (German: “Old Herb Market”, 1735), Färelmarkt (1740), and Pfahlmarkt (1747).

In the 18th century, the French took over the renaming routine, progressively making it Marché aux Choux (“Cabbage Market”, 1771), Marché au Cochon de Lait (“Suckling Pig Market”, 1792), and Place de la Vertu (“Square of Virtue”, 1794). In the course of the 19th-20th centuries, as the city changed hands several times between France and Germany, the area subsequently came to be known as Marché-aux-Porcs (French: “Pig Market”, 1817), Place du Marché-aux-Cochons-de-Lait (French: “Suckling Pigs Market Square”, 1858, 1918), Neuer Fischmarkt (German: “New Fish Market”, 1872, 1940) and then Ferkelmarkt in 1944. The latter, though, proved to be short-lived, as the French swiftly made it back to Place du Marché-aux-Cochons-de-Lait in 1945.

Surrounded by cute half-timbered architecture, the square is indeed a charming place, well worth a visit. Located here also is a well, topped with a wrought iron structure, reportedly from the 18th century. Sources say, it replicates one of the four wells once found on the former Waffenplatz (now known as Place Kléber), which can be seen, in particular, on an engraving by Jean Hans, dated circa 1800.

Located near the Corbeau bridge spanning the Ill River in Strasbourg, the Raven Square (Place du Corbeau) has a historically intriguing background. From the 14th to the 17th centuries, this square bore the infamous moniker Bei der Schindbrücke in German, meaning "near the bridge of execution." The origin of this grim name stems from the fact that the bridge in question was the site where condemned criminals, confined within a cage, were plunged into the river to meet their end.

In 1849, the square adopted its current name, but in 1872, due to the German annexation of Alsace-Lorraine, it underwent a swift renaming as Rabenplatz (or Raweplatz in Alsatian). The original name of Place du Corbeau was reinstated in 1918 following these changes. However, the tumultuous periods of history continued to impact the square's nomenclature. During the Nazi occupation of France from 1940 to 1944, it reverted to being called Rabenplatz once again. Thankfully, upon liberation, the French title was rightfully reinstated.

Regrettably, the ravages of World War II resulted in the loss of four splendid houses that had proudly adorned the Ill River banks and overlooked the square from the 16th to the 18th centuries. Among the fortunate survivors is the Brasserie du Canon, an ancient brewery where Jérôme Hatt first crafted Kronenbourg beer in 1664.

One destination that should be on your “must-see” list is the Place Gutenberg which lies in the center of medieval Strasbourg, not far from the Cathedral.

This large square is a favorite for locals and tourists alike as it has a lot of excellent cafes and restaurants. The Chamber of Commerce building occupies one side of the square and is easily recognizable with its Renaissance style, but with the sloping roof that is typical of Alsace, where winter snow is a way of life.

There is a 16th-century hotel on the square where Arthur Young was staying when revolutionists destroyed the city’s magistrates records and where today art exhibitions are held on the ground floor. Another attraction is the flea markets that often set up around the statue in the center of the square.

The statue is, quite obviously, dedicated to Johannes Gutenberg; it was sculpted by David d’Angers in 1840 and features the famous printer holding a piece of parchment on which is inscribed the words “Et la lumière fut” (And behold, there was light) from the Book of Genesis. Around the base of the statue, bas reliefs depict notable scenes from Gutenberg’s life.

Not many people know that apart from being the inventor of the first mechanical, movable printing press in Europe in 1439 and the publisher of the Gutenberg Bible in 1455, Gutenberg lived in Strasbourg between 1434-44, where he was an apprentice goldsmith, set to follow in his father’s footsteps.

Petite France is an area in Strasbourg that is often called the Venice of the North because of its narrow streets and canals. It is a delightful area to visit as it takes you back to Medieval Strasbourg.

In the Middle Ages the beautiful half-timbered houses were the homes of fishermen, millers and tanners, and indeed many of the streets bear the names of the crafts carried out: Millers Street, Tanners Ditch and Lace Street, for example. The houses have the traditional tiered sloping roofs and hides were once hung up to dry on the topmost rafters.

In the late 15th century a hospice was built on the island for small-pox victims and later for French soldiers suffering from syphilis – which the Germans called it “French Disease” to stop the local girls from sleeping with the soldiers! The area became known as “Little France”, more out of derision than patriotism. The name stuck and today it is one of the most expensive quarters in the city.

Just to the west of Petite France, you can visit the Barrage Vauban – a weir that crosses the River Ill. It was built in 1686 from the plan by Marquis Vauban. The weir has two stories with wonderful sculptures on the main level, as well as a roof terrace where you can take superb photos of Petite France.

Why You Should Visit:
The most romantic neighborhood in Strasburg by far, especially at nightfall. There are also plenty of shops and places to try authentic French dishes. Places are open late and buildings are lit up after dark.

Tip:
Walk around here early in the morning if you wish to get photos without thousands of tourists in your shots. If you have issues walking on cobblestones, you can also take the boat or a little touristic train that goes around the Petit France.

To protect the ancient city of Strasbourg, the Covered Bridges were constructed in the 1200s. There are three bridges crossing the River Ill. Additionally, there are four defensive towers set up between them.

In the late 1600s, the bridges were covered with wooden roofs. These were intended to cover soldiers and defenders who were stationed on the bridges during times of war. The covers were removed in 1784, but the name "Covered Bridges" has stuck.

While the bridges and towers remain, their task of defending the city was taken by the nearby the Vauban Dam. The Vauban Dam is the combination bridge and weir just west of the Covered Bridges.

If you want some postcard-perfect photos, stop by the Covered Bridges just after dark. The bridges and city are lit spectacularly. The best place to view and photograph the Covered Bridges is from near or on the Vauban Damn.

The Vauban Dam is a bridge, weir and defensive system erected in the 17th century on the River Ill in Strasbourg. It was a 17th century engineering marvel built according to the plans laid out by Marquis Vauban, the leading French military engineer of the time. At that time, it was known as the Great Lock, although it does not function as a navigation lock in the modern sense. Today it serves to display sculptures and has a viewing terrace on its roof, with views of the earlier Covered Bridge and Petite France quarter. It has been classified as a Historical Monument since 1971.

The dam was constructed from 1686 to 1690 in pink Vosges sandstone and its principal defensive function of the dam was to, in the event of an attack, raise the water level of the River Ill and thus flood the land south of the city, making it impassable to the enemy. This defensive measure was deployed in 1870, when Strasbourg was besieged by Prussian forces during the Franco-Prussian War, and resulted in the complete flooding of the northern part of the suburb of Neudorf.

The dam has 13 arches and is 120 meters (390 feet) in length. Within the structure an enclosed corridor links the two banks and a lapidarium serves to display ancient plaster casts and copies of statues and gargoyles from Strasbourg Cathedral and Rohan Palace. Three of the arches are raised to permit navigation, and the corridor is carried across these by drawbridges. The roof was rebuilt in 1965-66 in order to construct the panoramic terrace. Admission to the dam and terrace is free, and they are open daily from 9 am to 7:30 pm.