Charming, cosmopolitan and yet oh-so medieval Strasbourg, in the north-east of France, is one of Europe’s great intellectual and cultural capitals. At the crossroads of France and Germany, Strasbourg is perfectly packaged for the boho-chic traveller. The city is also considered one of Europe’s most bicycle-friendly destinations.
Easily accessible from Paris by flight or rail – over a two-hour trip on the high-speed TGV – Strasbourg is conveniently located and bewitches travellers throughout the year.
In the winter, its proximity to ski resorts in the Vosges Mountains makes it worth stopping over and when the weather warms up, the wonderful road-trips along the Alsace vino route are bound to satisfy fans of the Alexander Payne film Sideways.
Its towering Gothic cathedral looms impressively over a wonderful section of the historic city centre classified a World Heritage site by UNESCO and filled with several delightful traditional Alsatian eateries. French in its soul and international in outlook, Strasbourg is an easy city to blend in and wander through as you soak up those wonderfully quaint European sights and sounds.
Here’s our VIP itinerary...
Stay at Regent Petite France or Regent Contades
Five-star visitors to Strasbourg can select from two luxe Regent properties in the city.
Guests at the Regent Petite France can expect romantic water views from this old gem located in the city centre of Strasbourg, in the heart of the Petite France district, and on the riverbank of the Ill. Elegantly outfitted, the style and individual character of the hotel’s 72 rooms, suites and duplexes have won the approval of several high-profile guests including French actor Catherine Deneuve and the novelist Mary Higgins Clark. The 17th century building was formerly a mill that housed an ice factory for merchants, brewers and other visitors to the region. The building was transformed into a luxury hotel in 1989. Turbines and other traces of its former avatar are still partially visible in the hotel, adding that extra special touch of nostalgia to its surroundings.
Also along the riverbank of the Ill, the Regent Contades is mere minutes away from Strasbourg’s famous cathedral and the grand boulevards on which European institutions stand. Marble, large windows, high ceilings, art nouveau stained glass and a monumental staircase all add to the unique charm of this 47-room property. Formerly owned by the governor Kaiser Wilhelm II, the building features stunning balconies, as he ordered them to be constructed in order to view the parades. Today, the hotel is within the Haussmann district and nestled between Strasbourg’s finest restaurants, most fashionable shops and stylish hang-outs.
INFO: Regent Petite France, Strasbourg, France, +33388764343, www.regent-petite-france.com. Rooms cost from €152 (Dhs712) per night; Regent Contades, Strasbourg, France, +33388150505, www.regent-contades.com. Rooms cost from €105 (Dhs492) per night.
Lose yourself around the Place de la Cathedral
Both imposing and intricate, Strasbourg’s centrepiece Gothic cathedral is utterly captivating. No matter the view, no matter the time of day, it is impossible not to be moved by its grandeur, stonework, gargoyles and spires. Considered the sixth tallest church in the world, it features a 30-metre high astronomical clock in a style best described as Gothic-Renaissance. At precisely 12:30, the clock strikes solar noon with a parade of carved wooden figures representing the various stages of life.
Climb up the spiral staircase to the 66-metre high platform above the facade, at which point, Strasbourg humbly sits at your feet – complete with tiled roofs, dotted by towers and bordered by mountains and, on a clear day, Germany’s Black Forest.
Surrounding the cathedral is a slew of cafes and Alsatian eateries. During the Christmas season, the square is bustling with one of several markets that bring in millions of tourists to the region.
A meal at the Kammerzell House after pottering through the Place de la Cathedral is an appropriate ending to a day defined by spectacular sights and views. Maison Kammerzell serves up fantastic local meals in its 15th century house that still features frescoed alcoves and intricately carved half-timbered frames that date back to 1589.
INFO: Maison Kammerzell, Strasbourg, France, +33388324214, www.maison-kammerzell.com. Menus cost from €27 to €46 (Dhs126 to Dhs215).
Enjoy Gastro Feasts
Dining out in Strasbourg is a gourmet dream come alive, given its status as a top destination for the political, intellectual and cultural elite. When in Strasbourg, you’ve got to experience the delights of Au Crocodile and La Cloche a Fromage. Reservations are a must at both restaurants.
The Michelin-starred Au Crocodile, named after the stuffed reptile brought back from Egypt by one of Napoleon’s generals and suspended over the foyer of the restaurant, is a sacred stopover for lovers of French gourmet cuisine. House specialties, including smooth foie gras with rhubarb chutney and filet mignon in a mountain-cheese crust are presented elegantly to discerning diners in a cosy, yet sophisticated setting. At La Cloche a Fromage it’s cheese, glorious cheese as they have more than 200 varieties and claim to house the world’s biggest cheese board. As temperatures dip, nothing is more comforting than dipping and turning delicious French country bread into a warm fondue or feeding off hot, melted raclette as it falls over soft, buttery baby potatoes and the cold temperatures outside dissolve into a blurry, distant memory.
INFO: Au Crocodile, Strasbourg, France, +33388321302, www.au-crocodile.com; Menus cost from €35 to €115 (Dhs164 to Dhs538); La Cloche a Fromage, Strasbourg, France, +33388231319, www.cheese-gourmet.com
Drive through a la sideways, The Movie
The Route des Vins d’Alsace is an approximately 170km long road crossing through 67 communes in the region. The picturesque route allows you to gaze endlessly at a gorgeous countryside – barren in the winter, but beautiful in its starkness – typical Alsatian architecture and stop at any one of the adorable little villages for some food and drink.
Drive through during Christmas and enjoy the show put up by smaller towns such as Colmar and beautiful villages (Riquewihr). Markets abound selling local treats, decorations, food and, of course, buckets of steaming hot chocolate!
INFO: Alsace by Road, Alsace, France, +33389247350, www.tourisme-alsace.com/en/.
Spotted:
Guy Ritchie, Carla Bruni, Nicolas Sarkozy, Barack and Michelle Obama and Sting holiday here.
Details
1. Flight: 7 hours from the UAE to Paris and 2 hours from Paris by TGV to Strasbourg
2. Money: Euro; 1 Euro is Dhs4.68 (approx).
3. Language: French/English
4. Best time to go: Winter for skiing enthusiasts and Christmas markets; March to October; Avoid when European Parliament is in session
5. Getting around: Walk, bicycle and if you must, drive!
