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Strasbourg, Grande-Île and Neustadt

Strasbourg · France

Background

World Heritage since
1988
Type of site
Cultural
Cathedral built
1176–1439

The Grande-Île, the historic centre of Strasbourg structured around the cathedral, was inscribed in 1988; ICOMOS called it an old quarter that exemplifies medieval cities. The listing was extended to the Neustadt, the new town designed and built under German administration between 1871 and 1918, which drew on the Haussmann model with a Germanic architectural idiom.

The island is ringed by the Ill and the Canal du Faux-Rempart and measures about 1.25 km by 0.75 km. At its centre is Place Kléber; to the south the cathedral, the world's fourth-tallest church; at the western end Petite France, the old quarter of tanners, millers and fishermen.

More on the UNESCO listing More on Wikipedia

  1. 1176–1439The Gothic cathedral is built, its tower 142 m high
  2. 1589The carved frames of the Maison Kammerzell beside the cathedral
  3. 1681Strasbourg passes to France; the Palais Rohan follows
  4. 1871–1918The Neustadt is laid out under German rule
  5. 1988Grande-Île inscribed; the Neustadt is added in 2017

Find Your Way Around

The main parts of the site, in the order most visitors see them

  1. 1
    Strasbourg Cathedral
    Pink sandstone, the astronomical clock and the platform view; the clock's figures parade at 12:30.
  2. 2
    Petite France
    Half-timbered tanners' houses on the canals, with the Barrage Vauban terrace.
  3. 3
    Palais Rohan
    Three museums in the bishops' palace.
  4. 4
    Place Kléber
    The central square of the island.
  5. 5
    Neustadt
    The German imperial quarter around Place de la République.

Know Before You Go

From Wikivoyage and the GoGo guides

Flat and Walkable
The centre is explored on foot in a day or two; Wikivoyage calls the flat city ideal for cycling.
Train from the Airport
A nine-minute train links the airport to the central station.
Boat Around the Island
Batorama boats circle the island and go out to the European quarter, about 45 minutes.
Pickpockets at the Cathedral
Signs inside the cathedral warn of pickpockets in high season.

Cathedral, Canals and Neustadt

From the GoGo Strasbourg guide · Open the Strasbourg Guide ›

  1. 09:30
    Strasbourg Cathedral1 hr
    Pink sandstone and the astronomical clock.
  2. 10:45
    Cathedral Platform Climb45 min
    The view from the platform.
  3. 14:00
    Petite France75 min
    The tanners' quarter on the canals.
  4. 15:30
    Barrage Vauban Terrace30 min
    The view back over Petite France.
  5. 16:30
    Neustadt Walk75 min
    The German quarter and Place de la République.

Best Time to Visit

Best months: May–Sep. Freezing days in Dec–Jan.

Typical highs

Best monthsRain: wettest May (83 mm), driest Feb (46 mm)

Climate: NASA POWER

Pair It With

Other World Heritage sites nearby, by distance

WORTH A NIGHTDAY TRIPSAME DAYDistance not to scale · tap a site
Do These Together
Speyer Cathedral is about an hour away across the Rhine; Colmar and the Alsace wine villages make an easy day out.
Sources
UNESCO World Heritage Centre, listing 495 · Wikipedia: Grande Île, Strasbourg · Wikivoyage: Strasbourg (CC BY-SA 4.0) · GoGo Strasbourg guide · UNESCO listing