If you’re looking for a charming and historical day trip from Paris, Strasbourg is a great option. Read below to know how to make the most of your day trip to Strasbourg from Paris, with tips on transportation, sightseeing, and dining.
Are you planning a visit to Strasbourg?
Check out the best tours and activities in Strasbourg to make the most out of your trip.
Best tours and activities in Strasbourg:
1. Segway tour of Strasbourg
2. City center walking tour (private)
3. Interactive self-guided city tour
4. Private boat tour along the Petite France canals
Getting from Paris to Strasbourg:
– Book your train ticket to Strasbourg
Strasbourg is a beautiful city surrounded by canals, in the Alsace region of France.
The city has been passed back and forth between France and Germany several times throughout history. As you will see, this has led to a diverse and fascinating mix of cultural influences.
You can see one of the most visible examples of this blend in the architecture of Strasbourg. For example, in the historic center you will see a mix of both French and German styles: half-timbered houses and narrow streets reminiscent of German towns, and grand boulevards and ornate buildings that reflect French influence.
You will also see the mix of cultures in the food, and even in the language. While everyone speaks French, a part of the population also speaks Alsatian, a German dialect.
Read below to see how to organize a great and efficient day trip to Strasbourg from Paris, so that you will get to experience the best of this unique city.
How to get to Strasbourg from Paris
To make the most of your day trip to Strasbourg, it’s a good idea to start your journey from Paris early.
The fastest and most convenient way to get to Strasbourg from Paris is by train.
Head to Paris Gare de l’Est station and take a high-speed TGV train, which depart regularly. You will arrive in Strasbourg’s main station in just 2 hours. You should book your train tickets in advance to ensure availability.
Some people might prefer to drive, since there are some nice villages along the way, like Reims and Epernay. However, this doesn’t make much sense if you are just going on a day trip to Strasbourg, since the journey from Paris takes 5 and half hours. If you go to Strasbourg for two days or more, then driving could be a good idea.
Morning: Explore the Historic Center of Strasbourg
Once you arrive in Strasbourg, head to the city center to explore the picturesque streets of the city, enjoy the surrounding canals and visit some of the most important landmarks.
You won’t miss the Cathedral, a stunning example of Gothic architecture. It is actually considered one of the most beautiful cathedrals in France. While it is free to enter the cathedral, but there is a fee to climb the tower for panoramic views of the city.
Located to the left of the cathedral, you will see Maison Kammerzell. This house is often considered as the most beautiful house in Strasbourg. The building is famous for its intricate carvings which you can see on the facade.
If you want to go shopping, the most charming street in Strasbourg is Rue des Orfevres (Goldschmidtgass). You can find it just beyond Maison Kammerzell, leading away from the cathedral.
To make the most of your time in the historic center and to learn more about the places you see, consider taking a guided tour.
There are options for everyone: consider booking a Segway tour, which will take you to the highlights of the city center, including the Petite France. Or book this private walking tour if you prefer to walk and have a more personalized experience withh a local guide.
If you prefer to explore the area by yourself, you could also consider getting an interactive self-guided tour through the city.
Noon: Explore Petite France by Boat
After walking around the city center, you should explore La Petite France. This is a beautiful old neighborhood in the heart of Strasbourg.
La Petite France is famous for it’s half-timbered houses, a style of construction popular during the Middle Ages, in which you can see the wooden beams of the houses from the exterior.
The neighborhood is a little island, since it’s surrounded by canals. So it’s full of picturesque bridges as well.
The whole area is a great place to walk around, but one of the best ways to see Petite France is by taking a boat tour along the canals. It can give you a beautiful and unique perspective of the area.
If you feel like exploring the canals in a private setting, or if you are going on a group, consider booking a private boat tour around La Petite France. They have great reviews (and it’s a pretty good deal).
Another option is to take a group boat tour. Look for Batorama, which is the company offering them. If you are going in the high season, make sure to book in advance. Otherwise, you can expect to make a very long line to purchase tickets.
Lunch: Les Chefs d’Oevre d’Alsace
Strasbourg is renowned for its cuisine, which reflects the German influence on the city. This includes delicious dishes such as tarte flambée, choucroute, and baeckeoffe.
If you’re looking to try a local specialty for lunch, head over to the highly-rated Les Chefs d’Oeuvre d’Alsace, a restaurant located in the heart of Petite France.
One dish you won’t want to miss is the tarte flambée. This is a delicious Alsatian pizza made with a thin crust and topped with cheese, onions, bacon (although here you can also find a vegetarian version available, great option if you are a vegetarian like I am!).
Besides it serving very good quality regional dishes, they also offer great value for money. Two people can eat for between 20-30 euros.
Afternoon: Walk around the Petite France
You already visited the Petite France by boat, but after lunch it wil be time to wander around it’s streets by foot.
Walk along its narrow cobblestone streets, where you’ll find many shops in the area selling local crafts, including pottery, glassware, and textiles.
Be sure to try a traditional Alsatian pastry, such as a kougelhopf or a Bredele cookie.
Afternoon: shop for some regional specialties
I recommend going shopping for some specialties you won’t easily find in Paris. Or at least not for the same prices!
An interesting specialties shop in the Petite France area is Le Comptoir de Mathilde.
This shop is famous for its delicious chocolates, but there are some other great tasty things for sale: chocolate spreads, flavored liqueurs, different salts, spices, sweets, etc.
Next, head back to the city center around the area of the Cathedral. Make sure to visit Mon Oncle Malker de Munster, which is very near the Musée Alsacien.
Inside, you’ll find a wide variety of locally made products, including wines, cheeses, jams, and chocolates; all of great quality.
One of the highlights of the shop is its selection of Munster cheese, a soft and creamy cheese that is a staple of the Alsace region.
Afternoon: Visiting Strasbourg’s Musée Alsacien
To understand more about the history and the culture of the region you are visiting, head to this interesting museum.
Inside, you’ll find an interesting collection of objects and artifacts which will give you an insight into the daily life of the Alsace people over the centuries.
One highlight of the museum is its reconstruction of an Alsatian village. It is complete with a bakery, a cooper’s workshop, and a schoolhouse. You’ll also find exhibits showcasing the region’s traditional crafts, including pottery, weaving, and woodworking.
The entrance fee is €7.50 for adults, and it’s free for children. However, if you’re visiting Strasbourg on the first Sunday of the month, admission to the museum is free!
The museum closes on Tuesdays.
The end of the day trip to Strasbourg from Paris
This would the end of your day trip from Paris to Strasbourg. As you see, spending a day in Strasbourg is definitely worth it.
From exploring the city center and appreciating its French-German cultural mix , to cruising the canals of the Petite France and shopping for local specialties, this day trip won’t disappoint.
