Cobblestones and Cathedrals: A Tour of Strasbourg’s Grand Île

Strasbourg’s Grand Île, the island at its heart, was the first city center to be given UNESCO World Heritage Status in 1988. On this walking tour, you’ll explore its quaint cobbled lanes and historical buildings, and hear a few of its fascinating, and sometimes quirky, stories.

From the Ponts Couverts de Strasbourg – the bridge overlooking the Vauban Dam, where the tour starts – to the Passerelle de l’Abreuvoir (Pad Bridge) where our tour ends, I’ll show you the secrets hidden within this enchanting city.

You’ll stroll along the picturesque streets of La Petite France, as the district is often called. Along the way, you’ll learn about Strasbourg’s rich history, from a free city under the Holy Roman Empire in the 1200s, to one that was transferred from French to German rule and back again in the 18 and 1900s. I’ll also show you its many historical landmarks, point out its gorgeous architecture, and share a few quirky anecdotes.

En route, you’ll:

• Take in La Petite France’s colorful half-timber houses, and find out what the colors might mean
• Discover the best traditional Alsatian restaurants to try, including the Restaurant Gurtlerhoft and the House of Tanners Restaurant
• Get to the bottom of the mysterious dancing plague that began at Pont du Corbeau (Corbeau Bridge)
• Learn about the history of Strasboug’s religious landscape while taking in its most important cathedrals, like Cathédrale Notre Dame de Strasbourg (Strasbourg Cathedral), Église Saint Thomas (Saint Thomas’ Church), and the Temple Neuf (New Temple)
• Find out why Place Kléber and Place Gutenberg are the city’s two most important squares
• Hear how the Vauban Dam kept out invaders
• Get recommendations on the best museums to visit, including the Alsatian Museum, the Historical Museum of the City of Strasbourg, Museum Œuvre Notre Dame, and the Palais Rohan
• See the oldest building in Strasbourg, Maison Kammerzell, a restaurant and hotel

Whether you’re a francophile, a history buff, or a curious traveler, this hour-long Strasbourg walking tour provides a valuable introduction to this popular French city. So join me on this adventure through time and discover the magic of this charming Alsatian city.