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Strasbourg, Grande-Île and Neustadt

Strasbourg, France
03.04.2017

Strasbourg, located in the Alsace region of France, is a beautiful city that is rich in history and culture. It is known for its picturesque canals, charming architecture, and delicious cuisine. One of the most iconic areas of Strasbourg is Grande-Île, or "Large Island," which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This island, situated in the heart of the city, is home to many of Strasbourg's most famous landmarks and attractions.

The Grande-Île is a small island surrounded by the Ill River, and it is the historic center of the city. It is a pedestrian-friendly area, making it the perfect place to explore on foot. As you wander through the cobbled streets, you will be greeted with stunning half-timbered houses, quaint cafes, and charming shops. The Gothic Strasbourg Cathedral, with its intricate architecture and towering spire, is the centerpiece of the island and is a must-see for visitors.

Grande-Île is also home to several museums, including the Alsatian Museum, which showcases the region's history and culture, and the historic Palais Rohan, which houses the Museum of Fine Arts. The island is also known for its lively market square, Place Gutenberg, where you can find fresh produce, local specialties, and handmade crafts.

Just across the river from Grande-Île is the Neustadt, or "New Town," which is a perfect blend of traditional and modern architecture. This area was built in the late 19th and early 20th centuries when Strasbourg was under German rule. The Neustadt is characterized by wide boulevards, grand buildings, and beautiful parks, such as the Parc de l'Orangerie.

In addition to its stunning architecture and rich history, Strasbourg is also known for its gastronomy. The city is famous for its Alsatian cuisine, which combines French and German influences. From hearty dishes like choucroute (sauerkraut with sausage and potatoes) to delicate pastries like kougelhopf, there is something for every palate to enjoy.

Overall, Strasbourg's Grande-Île and Neustadt offer a perfect blend of history, culture, and gastronomy. Whether you are strolling through the charming streets, admiring the beautiful architecture, or indulging in delicious food, this city is sure to leave a lasting impression. So, if you are planning a trip to France, be sure to add Strasbourg to your itinerary and experience the magic of this unique and enchanting destination.


The initial property, inscribed in 1988 on the World Heritage List, was formed by the Grande-Île, the historic centre of Strasbourg, structured around the cathedral. The extension concerns the Neustadt, new town, designed and built under the German administration (1871-1918). The Neustadt draws the inspiration for its urban layout partially from the Haussmannian model, while adopting an architectural idiom of Germanic inspiration. This dual influence has enabled the creation of an urban space that is specific to Strasbourg, where the perspectives created around the cathedral open to a unified landscape around the rivers and canals.

Strasbourg (UK: , US: , French: [stʁasbuʁ] ; German: Straßburg [ˈʃtʁaːsbʊʁk] ;) is the prefecture and largest city of the Grand Est region of eastern France. Located at the border with Germany in the historic region of Alsace, it is the prefecture of the Bas-Rhin department. It is the official seat of the European Parliament.

In 2021, the city proper had 291,313 inhabitants and both the Eurométropole de Strasbourg (Greater Strasbourg) and the Arrondissement of Strasbourg had 514,651 inhabitants. Strasbourg's metropolitan area had a population of 860,744 in 2020, making it the eighth-largest metro area in France and home to 14% of the Grand Est region's inhabitants. The transnational Eurodistrict Strasbourg-Ortenau had a population of roughly 1,000,000 in 2022. Strasbourg is one of the de facto four main capitals of the European Union (alongside Brussels, Luxembourg and Frankfurt), as it is the seat of several European institutions, such as the European Parliament, the Eurocorps and the European Ombudsman of the European Union. An organization separate from the European Union, the Council of Europe (with its European Court of Human Rights, its European Directorate for the Quality of Medicines most commonly known in French as "Pharmacopée Européenne", and its European Audiovisual Observatory) is also located in the city.

Together with Basel (Bank for International Settlements), Geneva (United Nations), The Hague (International Court of Justice) and New York City (United Nations world headquarters), Strasbourg is among the few cities in the world that is not a state capital that hosts international organisations of the first order. The city is the seat of many non-European international institutions such as the Central Commission for Navigation on the Rhine and the International Institute of Human Rights. It is the second city in France in terms of international congress and symposia, after Paris. Strasbourg's historic city centre, the Grande Île (Grand Island), was classified a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1988, with the newer "Neustadt" being added to the site in 2017. Strasbourg is immersed in Franco-German culture and although violently disputed throughout history, has been a cultural bridge between France and Germany for centuries, especially through the University of Strasbourg, currently the second-largest in France, and the coexistence of Catholic and Protestant culture. It is also home to the largest Islamic place of worship in France, the Strasbourg Grand Mosque.Economically, Strasbourg is an important centre of manufacturing and engineering, as well as a hub of road, rail, and river transportation. The port of Strasbourg is the second-largest on the Rhine after Duisburg in Germany, and the second-largest river port in France after Paris.

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