Strasbourg
Strasbourg is the capital of Alsace, known for its Gothic cathedral, the half-timbered houses of Petite France, and Alsatian food and wine.
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Strasbourg is the capital of Alsace, in northeastern France on the Rhine, across the river from Kehl in Germany. Its old town on the Grande Île is a UNESCO World Heritage site centered on the cathedral, a Gothic building whose pink sandstone spire rises about 142 meters. A short walk away, Petite France has half-timbered houses and lanes along the Ill River.
Base yourself in the old town, near the cathedral, and walk to Petite France. Alsatian food is a reason to go too: choucroute, a dish of fermented cabbage with sausage and pork, and flammekueche, a thin tart with cream, onion and bacon, are common on local menus. The Route des Vins runs through wine villages within a short drive of the city. Trains from Paris take about two hours. Two nights cover the old town and one day trip. Spring and early autumn suit walking, while late November and December bring the Christmas market.
Strasbourg in five
- Take the TGV from Paris EstDirect TGVs take about 1 hour 50 minutes. Book early for the cheapest fares; regional TER trains have fixed prices and reach Colmar and the Alsace villages.Is a Eurail Pass worth it?
- Time the cathedral around the clockEntry is free Monday to Saturday (8:30 to 11:15, 12:45 to 5:45pm; Sunday afternoon only). The clock film starts at noon and the figures move at 12:30, ticketed at about €2.Strasbourg in 2 days
- Book a December room earlyThe city's official page had not posted 2026 market dates on 1 October (2025 ran 26 November to 24 December). Rooms in the old center fill months ahead, so confirm the dates first.Where to stay in Strasbourg
- Walk or take the tramThe old center is compact and largely pedestrian, and trams reach the station and the European quarter. You rarely need a taxi inside the canal ring.
- Pair it with Colmar, but choose one baseColmar is a short TER ride away, so sleep in Strasbourg and day-trip, or the reverse. Splitting nights saves little time.Strasbourg or Colmar
Things to do in Strasbourg
See all attractions in Strasbourg
Need to know
- Airport
- Strasbourg (SXB); shuttle train to the station in about 8 min
- Getting there
- TGV from Paris Est about 1 hr 50; TER from Colmar or Metz
- Getting around
- Walking, trams and bikes inside the canal ring
- Best base
- Cathedral quarter or Petite France for a first visit
- Time needed
- 2 days; 3 with the wine road or Colmar
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Snowy days
- Days with storms
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryRain14 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh6°Low0°Cold, foggyJanuaryRain
Poor
- High
- 6°
- Low
- 0°
- Precipitation
- 85 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, foggy
- FebruaryPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh9°Low2°Cold, quietFebruaryPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 9°
- Low
- 2°
- Precipitation
- 66 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, quiet
- MarchPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh12°Low3°Mild, showersMarchPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 12°
- Low
- 3°
- Precipitation
- 57 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, showers
- AprilPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh16°Low6°Spring blossomsAprilPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 16°
- Low
- 6°
- Precipitation
- 58 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Spring blossoms
- MayPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh19°Low9°Warm, long daysMayPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 19°
- Low
- 9°
- Precipitation
- 85 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, long days
- JuneRain13 rainy daysHigh25°Low14°Warm, busyJuneRain
Best
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 90 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, busy
- JulyPartly cloudy12 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh26°Low16°Hot, busyJulyPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 71 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Hot, busy
- AugustPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh26°Low16°Hot, vines ripeAugustPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 68 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, vines ripe
- SeptemberPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh22°Low12°Wine harvestSeptemberPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 22°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 61 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wine harvest
- OctoberPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh17°Low9°Fall colorOctoberPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 17°
- Low
- 9°
- Precipitation
- 72 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Fall color
- NovemberRain13 rainy daysHigh10°Low4°Cold, dampNovemberRain
Poor
- High
- 10°
- Low
- 4°
- Precipitation
- 69 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, damp
- DecemberPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh7°Low2°Christmas marketsDecemberPartly cloudy
Poor
- High
- 7°
- Low
- 2°
- Precipitation
- 72 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Christmas markets
Average daily high and low in Strasbourg, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Strasbourg
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
7
- Feels like
- 5°
- Humidity
- 60%
- Wind
- 13 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 0%
Strasbourg
09:47 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today11°3°0%Monday: Cloudy. High 11°, Low 3°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Tue10°3°0%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 10°, Low 3°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Wed10°4°0%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 10°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Thu10°2°0%Thursday: Fog. High 10°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Fri6°1°3%Friday: Fog. High 6°, Low 1°. Chance of rain 3%.
- Sat8°3°7%Saturday: Fog. High 8°, Low 3°. Chance of rain 7%.
- Sun10°1°23%Sunday: Fog. High 10°, Low 1°. Chance of rain 23%.
Updated 06:54 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Before you go to Strasbourg
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Rules for Strasbourg, checked
- Check the entry rules for your passport on France-Visas before you book, since some nationalities need a visa or pre-travel authorization.Source
- Carry your passport or national identity card. Police can ask to see it, and hotels may keep a copy.
- Service is included in French restaurant bills by law, so tipping is optional. Rounding up or leaving a few euros is the usual custom.
- Smoking is banned in enclosed public places, including bars and restaurants, so smokers use the terrace or step outside.
Strasbourg FAQ
How many days do you need in Strasbourg?
Two days cover the cathedral, Petite France and a canal boat or winstub evening. Add a third day only for Colmar or a wine-road drive. One day works if you arrive by TGV in the morning.
Is Strasbourg worth visiting?
Yes. It is one of the easiest regional cities from Paris, and its Grande Île is a UNESCO World Heritage area. It feels more German than most French cities, with winstubs and rich food.
Where should I stay in Strasbourg?
The cathedral quarter for a first visit, Petite France for canal views and Krutenau for lower prices. The station area works for early trains. Book early for December.
When is the Strasbourg Christmas market?
Usually from late November to Christmas Eve. The city's official page had not published the 2026 dates on 1 October, so wait for them before booking non-refundable rooms, and avoid weekends if you dislike crowds.
Can you visit Strasbourg as a day trip from Paris?
Yes, with the TGV in just under 2 hours each way. It covers the cathedral and a stroll through Petite France, but you will miss the evening light. Stay one night if you can.