Barge holidays in France through Alsace and Lorraine will give you the chance to see the great city of Strasbourg. Don’t miss it!
Barge holidays in France through Alsace and Lorraine might give you the chance to visit the gorgeous city of Strasbourg. Below are some of its main attractions.
Strasbourg's Place in the EU
We may as well deal with the one negative associated with Strasbourg immediately – that of the European Union’s dual parliament and perceptions of bureaucracy. Whatever your view on the EU’s governing structures this city isn’t defined by them! It’s about so many more things than political debates and squabbling. So, even though the European Parliament’s building is impressive and well worth a visit, it’s far from being the most important thing to see if you stop here on one of the excellent barge holidays in France.
The Main Attractions
If your barge holidays in France take you through Alsace and Lorraine so you can spend some time in Strasbourg, here are some of the top sights to look out for.
• The covered bridges. The river here has several ancient covered bridges that cross it. They’re all marvellous to look at and take a wander across – particularly the Barrage Vauban, where you’ll also get some great views and photo opportunities.
• The Palais de Rohan. This is a stunning building that houses no less than three individual museums: the museums of the Fine Arts, Decorative Arts and Archaeology. You could spend an entire day here without difficulty.
• La petite France. This is one of the most famous areas of the city and one that’s criss-crossed with ancient buildings and canals. It’s an amazing place to stroll around and you could easily believe you’ve taken a step back in time. There are also some great restaurants here.
• Strasbourg Cathedral. This is a very impressive medieval building, which dominates the city skyline. It’s particularly famous for its ancient astronomical clock and there can sometimes be long queues to see the clock striking the hours.
• Musée de l'Oeuvre Notre-Dame. Just across the river from the cathedral itself, the craftsmen who worked on the massive edifice once occupied this building. It contains many medieval remains and artefacts and is one of the lesser-known museums - which is a pity, as it’s excellent.
• Place Gutenberg. This is a major square in the town, surrounded by ancient buildings. It’s a great place to sit in the cafés and bars, watching the passing parade of life in Strasbourg.
• Strasbourg City Hospital Wine Cellar. If those two concepts, a hospital and wine cellar, don’t seem to go together, then think again! The wine cellar is situated beneath the hospital and it dates back to the 15th century. You’ll see some interesting items there still. But what's the link? Well, in times past, wine was considered a great medication for the sick!
This is a lovely city and the above sights are just a few of its many and varied attractions. So, if your barge holidays in France offer you the chance to visit Strasbourg, do so. You won’t regret it.
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