As somebody who has always been fascinated with travelling, I take every opportunity to escape my routine and explore a new place. Recently, I had this opportunity, and the universe took me on a quick trip to Strasbourg, France. Well, it wasn’t the universe, but a conscious chain of events but the first one sounds way nicer.
Needless to say, I fell in love with this small city nestled next to the German border in Eastern France. I doubt I have seen a place more picturesque and fuller of colour and beauty. Even the dark and cloudy weather couldn’t ruin my experience there. However, due to the circumstances, I didn’t dedicate as much time as I would have liked to explore.
Strasbourg is the capital of the famous Alsace region, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and a location for the European Parliament. So, overall, it is definitely a place worth visiting. It combines French and German cultures and honestly, it feels like a place pulled out from a fairy tale.
Easy access
Alsace is a region that is famous for its blend of French and German influences. One of the most interesting things about this region is the colourful half-timbered houses with balconies drenched in flowers. There is even a designation for the lovliest, “Villes et Villages Fleuris,” or villages in bloom. This Alsatian design is not only in Strasbourg but also in Colmar, Riquewihr, and Eguisheim – all along the Alsace Wine Road.
Basically, if you need a getaway and you want to be there quickly, this is the right destination. Strasbourg is just three hours by train from where I live in Brussels. It is very close to Germany and also to Luxembourg. It is also not too far from Switzerland.
So in my humble opinion it is the perfect escape from mundane life.
When visiting Strasbourg, one of the most important things to see is La Petit France and its half-timbered houses from the Middle Ages. This district of the city transports you to a whole different age.
The setting of this part of town makes it perfect for romantic experiences such as strolls and dinners at any of the riverside restaurants. You can walk along the river and marvel the Medieval beauty. I think for me part of the experience was related to the autumn beauty because everything was golden.
Well, of course, when the sun shines every location is 100 percent prettier but La Petit France is totally worth exploring. It has numerous little souvenir shops with stork merchandise, the stork being the symbol of the Alsace region. It is seen as bringing good luck, loyalty and, of course, babies.
Beyond La Petite France
In Strasbourg, the legends tie storks to baby deliveries and reincarnating souls from an underground lake near the city’s huge cathedral. Needless to say, La Petit France was one of my favourite things and I guess I am not the only one since it attracts tourists from around the world.
The only way to explore La Petit France is on foot, which gave me the time to take photos. The area where is La Petit France was once popular with fishermen and millers, mainly home to workers. No surprise though, considering La Petit France is located on an island in the middle of the river.
However, there is quite a lot to see beyond Petit France. There are multiple museums such as the Alsatian Museum, the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, and the Rohan Palace Museum, which I didn’t really have the opportunity to explore.
However, I did manage to visit one exhibition in the little free time I had, namely the “Little Prince” exhibition, telling the story of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, his path, and how he created the tale. I found this place super interesting, as a person who is deeply interested in literature and has read the
little book three times. This was a unique experience for me because I got to be audio-guided through the exposition by Saint-Exupéry’s mother’s voice.
If I have to rate this experience, I will give it 10/10.
Getting around
On my way there, I experienced the Strasbourg tram system which took me on a picturesque trip through the city. Had I more time, I would have strolled on foot but unfortunately my time there was constrained. I passed through multiplied golden areas amid the fading colours and got to experience a part of town that was not only Medieval but also modernized.
What particularly surprised me is that you can purchase a ticket from the tram stop and then top up the same ticket. This was in fact the first time I saw something like this, specifically topping up one-time use tickets. The single reloadable ticket costs 2.10 euro upon initial purchase. After this, you can add more journeys to it for a cost of 1.90 euros. Moreover, since the city is quite small everything is more or less on a walkable distance from the main station.
Additionally, Strasbourg is home to the European Parliament, which you can visit for free six days per week throughout the whole year. During the visit, you can see the European parliamentary chamber, – the Hemicycle, the Parliamentarism Simone Veil, and a few exhibitions. This is an interesting destination for anyone interested in European politics and policy.
Last but not least, regardless of the season visiting Strasbourg will be a unique experience. However, there are two periods of the year that you should consider when booking your stay there, namely Christmas and summer.
The Strasbourg Christmas Market is the oldest one in France and one of the oldest in Europe. This year, the dates are 27 November through 27 December. It is still on my to-do list, and I am looking forward to exploring the ambiance of the city around this time of the year. I’ve heard that throughout December Strasbourg becomes one of the most illuminated cities in Europe.
This one is a must, especially if you love Christmas.
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Read more about Strasbourg here in Dispatches’ archives.
Polya Pencheva
Polya Plamenova Pencheva is a young Bulgarian journalist based in Brussels, Belgium. Polya holds a Master's degree in journalism from Rijksuniversiteit Groningen and loves writing and telling the untold stories of interesting people. You can find her dining at cute café, shopping at markets, scouting second-hand shops or just chillin' at home with something great to read.
