Top 5 must see for a day in Strasbourg, France

I know this decision to go is an anti-mainstream idea because the whole class started to be panic about the midterm exam in November 2018. But we have booked this trip far away ago so damn it, we almost run out of time in France! The trip to Strasbourg was a little bit dramatic due to the check done by the security in the borderline. So, if you want to cross the countries borderline with bus, be prepared about things like this. We arrived at eurolines bus stop which is at Sabines, Montpellier at 22 pm but the bus was late until almost 24 pm. We should have been departed at 23 pm. It was cold, dark and our only hope was this French man who told me it would come because he called the central office. We supposed to arrive at Strasbourg at 8 AM but we were stopped by a group of police to check some narcotics suspicion. Insane right?! They had this dog sniffing us, took out all the baggage and checked our ID. In our cases they did not check our ID but just confirming that we were students. They were suspicious on a man and interrogated him. The whole process was like 2 hours and we needed to wait for the man then we finally arrived at 11 pm. It was really an exhausting yet interesting experience.

The French girl who sat next to me told me how to reach the main train station where our hostel located. It was Nid Hotel, we booked a room for 4 people. It was comfy for the 1st quadraple room experience. I did not take photo of the hotel. It was 87 euros per night for 4 people. The tram design was different from MPL and Marseille. They have wide windows so you can see people’s feet from outside the tram. Our hotel is just 5 minutes walking to the train station because we had to move early morning for the next day to Lyon. Our first destination is Petite-France.

Petite-France

Along the way, it is so beautiful with autumn trees. There was a little gypsie girl asking money but I gave her my chocolate bread instead. I hope it was enough for her. We needed to pass this passerelle across the river. It is an unexpected nice experience seeing statues inside. This was what inside the passerele:

But after, we walked in attempt to follow the map and got lost into a hospital parking lot. I almost lost my patience so we asked this guy on the street and finally the long walk paid. By the way, I wanted to go here actually after seeing my AFS friend’s lomography gallery. I should really thank her maybe. 

Well, so far Strasbourg is one of the must-go-to city in France and do not just visit for a day like us. The channels, the boat, the flowers and of course, the german-styled houses really like an imaginary picture you only see in the postcards or Lomography photo session books or Tumblr posts. They also have interesting café that looks like floating along the channels and cute patisseries. The gloomy weather surprisingly matched this place. There were not so many tourists crowding the area maybe because it was not really holiday season. 

We walked around to find place to eat then we decided to stop in a place. I did not even remember the name because I was starving. We ordered the typical food of Strasbourg. It was not bad and worth the price. Some kind of German steak and soup also with choucroute, a fermented kind of vegetables that really matches the pork. We strolled along the Petit France neighborhood then decided to go to the cathedral. 

Cathedrale Notre Dame de Strasbourg

I found the way easily and trust me, it is really breath-taking. It was like finding a T-Rex in the middle of an old city. So huge, so old, with this kind of sharp textures in every detail. This cathedral is one of the finest example of gothic architecture. I was literally jaw dropped. We went in and there was a choir singing. Unfortunately, the astronomical clock was under renovation. The interior was not so great as its exterior. I slowly concluded this fact that when you have amazing exterior normally the interior was just so-so either it it is the fact or because you already set your expectation high when you walk inside the place. There was also this squared well below the floor where we can throw our coins for the luck.

Palais Rohan

Just opposite the cathedral is the Palais Rohan which used to be the former residence of a French noble family. Here in this kind of historical building, I needed to sling my backpack in front of my stomach so I won’t disturb people. Included in the palace is the archeological museum, museum of fine arts and museum of decorative arts. We decided to visit the last one. It has so many baroque styled rooms inside like a small palace and was open for public. I was not really impressed because I have seen one like this in Museum Sabatier d’Esperyan Montpellier. It has no real garden, but stone as surroundings. One of the best part is the huge ball room as the entrance. I could imagine this place was used for the real balls filled of ladies with satin dresses. They also had this collection of potteries, paintings of the family members and clocks. 

Next, we wanted to have tea time in an interesting salon du thé. On the way there, we found this cute cookie shop and the lady said to us that today the box was free. So I took the box but actually I needed to pay because it was not full. I felt deceived by this fact. Sadly, the salon du thé that we intended to go was super crowded so we looked for another one in the same street (which is less interesting) and had a tea time there. The girls were crazy about sweet stuff. To be honest, they eat a lot compared to me! (Sorry, girls!)

Place Kleber

Next, we went to Place Kleber square and found out it was actually more of a complex of shopping centers. Gallery La Fayette was just in front of it with this purple spot lights. This place has a statue of Jean-Baptise Kleber, a former French general at its center. I went inside a book store which is literally full of book from the floor to its ceiling. It was really a super nice one. I wanted to buy French novels but I have no place to carry any of them to my next city of my master, Prague.

Palais du Rhin

The last destination of the day was to the Palais du Rhin.This place is a symbol when Strasbourg has been handed back by Germany to France after the Franco-Prussian war and World War I. I like the tramway to this place which is super quiet in this lovely evening. It was not for public visit so we just took a photo in front of its beautiful garden. It was also in the same complex with the old theatre and opera.

As I mentioned previously, you may need more than a day to really enjoy Strasbourg and take time to sit in a proper café to have the view of Petite-France. Sadly, in the end of 2018 there was an attack in the Christmas market at Strasbourg. Imagine! It could be anyone from us if we follow some will to go there in Christmas. Well, it is famous of its Christmas market for sure. If you are looking for a cozy city with city lights to enjoy your hot chocolate, definitely Strasbourg is way more beautiful to fulfill your wish!

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