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Strasbourg (City of the Roads) is the Alsatian capital, a pioneer in environmental protection and host of the Council of Europe headquarters. It is a city on the cutting edge of modernity that still manages to retain a sense of nostaligia with its cathedral and the charming half-timbered houses.
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Musée d'Art Moderne et Contemporain
Strasbourg Cedex 
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Place de la République
N of Grande Île
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Musée de l'Œuvre Notre Dame
Grande Île
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Grande Île
Grande Île
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A Perfect Day
By Daniel Robinson
My ideal Strasbourg day begins at the train station as my TGV from Paris' Gare de l'Est pulls in after zipping across Champagne and Lorraine. A quick ride on a sleek, ultramodern tram takes me to my hotel, on a quiet street in the heart of the Grande Île, the 'big island' (it's surrounded by the River Ill and a canal) that forms Strasbourg's historic heart.
My first stop has to be the magnificent cathedral, a lacy masterpiece in red sandstone. I approach it on foot along rue Mercière so the façade gradually reveals itself in all its Gothic glory. After admiring medieval stained glass, I cross the square to the renowned Musée de l'Œuvre Notre Dame, home to one of Europe's premier collections of Romanesque, Gothic and Renaissance sculptures, including many originals from the cathedral. At noon I recross the square in order to watch the cathedral's fantastic astronomic clock put on its daily show. Lunch is a picnic with produce from the outdoor food market at place Broglie. As for the venue: the grassy banks of the River Ill, munching on a fresh baguette with Camembert as swans glide by.
In the afternoon, I stop by the state-of-the-art Musée Historique (Historical Museum), recently reopened after 15 years of deliberations and renovations. Then I explore the Grande Île on foot, taking in the fancy boutiques on rue des Hallebardes and the quaint, half-timbered houses of Petite France, where - if I'm lucky - I get to watch a tourist boat passing through the lock. Choosing a place for dinner is never easy in Strasbourg as the choices are legion but since Snack Michel closes early, I head to Restaurant La Victoire for hearty, reasonably priced Alsatian fare. Finally, I take the long way back to my hotel, intentionally getting lost in the maze of alleyways north of the cathedral.
The weather in Alsace can vary greatly. Summer temperatures rarely reach beyond 30°C (86°F), while winters are cold enough to keep snow on the ground for weeks on end. Prevailing winds blow in from the west and the southwest, carrying rain and snow.
Average weather
Transport
Getting there and away
Strasbourg's airport, Strasbourg-Entzheim, is 12km (7.5mi) southwest of the city centre. The Navette Aéroport, run by CTS, links the Baggersee tram stop southwest of the city with the airport.
Governmental strictures means that Eurolines buses must stop 2.5km (1.5mi) south of the Eurolines office, near Stade de la Meinau. City bus 21 links place Gutenburg with the Stadhalle in Kehl, just across the Rhine.
The train station is linked to Metz, Nancy and Paris' Gare de L'Est; and, internationally, to Basel and Frankfurt. Route du Vin destinations include Colmar, Dambach-la-Ville, Obernai and Sélestat.
Car rental options include Avis, Europcar, National-Citer and Sixt.
Getting around
Four highly civilised tram lines - to which a fifth line, 13.5km (8mi) of track and 22 stations are being added - form the centrepiece of the outstanding public transport network.
There is also a very compact bus system. Single bus/tram tickets, which can be bought from bus drivers and ticket machines, are valid for 24 hours.
Those with a car can benefit from one of the eight Parking-Relais car parks, all on tram lines. To get to a Park-and-Ride lot from the autoroute (freeway), follow the signs marked 'P&R Tram'.
Strasbourg has been a pioneer in the creation of bicycle lanes, which now cover nearly 160km (100mi). Vélocation rents bicycles at several places downtown.
fast facts
| Full name | Strasbourg |
|---|---|
| Currency | Euro, EUR (€) |
| Population | 427000 |
| Languages |
Catalan (other) Basque (other) Breton (other) Corsican (other) French (official) |
| Time zone(s) | GMT/UTC: +1 |
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