Strasbourg, melting pot of European cultures

SEE

• Strasbourg Cathedral is without doubt the number one tourist attraction in the city. This impressive construction is not only a Gothic masterpiece, but also a genuine medieval picture book due to its hundreds of sculptures. A curious feature of the building is the asymmetrical west façade with its incomplete south tower. Today, this part of the cathedral serves as a viewing platform, which is reached via a challenging climb up 332 narrow steps. Despite the exertion, it is well worth the effort, as the views from the top are simply breathtaking – extending over the narrow streets of the Old Town and the European Parliament to the Rhine valley, the Vosges and the Black Forest.
• Take a stroll through Petite France, the most picturesque quarter of Strasbourg's historic centre. In this neighbourhood (formerly home to fishermen, millers and tanners), the river Ill and three small canals flow past half-timbered houses dating back to the 16th and 17th centuries, which feature spacious inner courtyards and tall pitched roofs. Nowadays, the entire district is pedestrianised, and its narrow lanes and many small shops make it a magical place to discover on foot. There are also plenty of spots to rest and relax, with countless cafés, restaurants and beautiful terraces allowing you to experience Alsatian hospitality for yourself.
• Haus Kammerzell is listed as one of the "1000 places to see before you die" in the well-known book of the same name by Patricia Schulz – and with good reason, as it is one of the most beautiful late-Gothic German half-timbered houses still in its original form. Take a look at the richly decorated 16th-century façade with its blend of sacred and secular elements and its classical and medieval influences. You're also in the right place if you are feeling peckish after your tour of the city, as the building is home to a superb restaurant.