The historic French city of Strasbourg is a Unesco World Heritage site replete with ancient cultural and architectural wonders. I arrived in Strasbourg from across the German border and decided to visit this town before making my way back to Grenoble, where I was based.

Located 500km east of Paris, Strasbourg is the capital of the Alsace region and home to important institutions such as the Council of Europe, European Court of Human Rights and the European Parliamanent. In Strasbourg it is an interesting mix of German and French influence due to its close proximity to the border. There are more than 350 historic monuments in Strasbourg, including the three famous churches: Saint Andre, Saint Michel and Saint Seurin. Strasbourg also has the oldest Christmas market in France, which has been around since 1570. It is open from the last Saturday of November till end December. However, since I did not visit during this period, I did not manage to see any Christmas market.

take a leisurely boat ride along the many canals in Strasbourg

one of the three famous cathedrals

Strasbourg old town square with its half-timbered townhouses leaning over cobblestone streets

The “must-eats” in Strasbourg are the kouglof alsacien (a brioche which owes its distinctive shape to the enamelled clay mold in which it is baked) and tartes flambées, which is a sort of wafer thin pizza made with onion-cream sauce. I was lucky enough to enjoy the student meal for a tarte flambee and a drink for under 10E since it was lunch time and the cafe had a promotion.

After eating, walk around the city and stop by its many streetside cafes or enjoy the pretty canals. I took the tram to the European Parliament and wanted to go in to take a look, but it was not open to public. There were also a few homeless people or rather they were having a peaceful protest outside the EP. They held banners and demanded for more human rights. I was amazed at the number of flags outside the EP because of the many European countries that form this council.

flags outside the European Parliament

protests from the people

Outside of Strasbourg, you can visit the various breweries. Alsace was the first beer-producing region of France, so Strasbourg has many breweries, famous ones which include Kronenbourg and Fischer, whose factories conduct free tours and offer free drinks.