Strasbourg is a city that straddles the cultural line between Germany and France, owing to its location, nestled directly against the German border. Surrounded by mountains and vineyards, the city was lost to the Prussians in 1870, and was immediately annexed by Germany to become part of Alsace. It didn't return to France until 1918. The city has a dual identity. Both its architecture and cuisine lean heavily towards the German--beer and sauerkraut are fixtures. However, national identification is very much French. This duality has fostered a tolerance for cultural diversity, and Strasbourg boasts a very diverse population. Strasbourg also plays an important role in literary history, as Gutenberg printed the first Bible here.
The Cathedral de Notre-Dame is considered the centre of the city. It is built on a grand scale, with a 471-foot spire and an organ dating from the 14th century. The highlight of the cathedral is a large, Astronomical Clock, which displays a parade of life-size figures representing Jesus and the Apostles, which can be seen every day at 12:30pm.
Cuisine is a major attraction of Strasbourg, and although it is known as one of the most expensive cities in France, cheap eats do abound for those willing to seek them out, by wandering down the narrow alleys behind the cathedral. Grab a tarte flambée from one of the street vendors in place d'Austerlitz or mix with the local strasbourgeoisie for a pint and a sausage at one of the laid-back winstubs (“room where one can get wine"). For an experience of authentic local cuisine in a typical Alsatian atmosphere, head to La Petite France, a historical area with Renaissance buildings which have survived numerous wars. Among the timber-beamed houses, with window boxes brimming with flowers, you can find restaurants that offer excellent food and a riverside view.
Shoppers will love the outdoor markets at the place Ste-Marguerite, the rue de Zurich and the boulevard de la Marne. They are packed with fresh fruits, vegetables and specialties of the North African and Jewish populations of the city. At Christmas, the city comes alive with markets. It offers the excellent “Noël du livre” (literary Christmas) in the place Gutenberg, in celebration of Strasbourg's standing as a literary city.
There are a number of excellent museums in the city. Near the cathedral is a studio used by the artists who worked on it during the 14th and 15th centuries, which is chock full of art that didn't make the final cut. Alsatian history is displayed in two museums, the Musée Historique, located in a former slaughterhouse and the Musée Alsacien, which houses cultural artifacts of the region.
