Kyliebaby3

I want to start by saying that I know the distance on the TGV between Paris and Strasbourg. I think some people may scoff at the idea of Strasbourg as a day trip simply because of the travel time. But that's not my concern. I'm traveling alone, and it doesn't bother me to get up early and come home late. I'm an efficient traveler who would rather see places quickly than not at all. I'm headed to Paris November 11-15.

Just curious though--since I will be traveling by train, will I be dumped off in the city center? And how far is the station from the pedestrian friendly area where I presume I'd want to hang out? Is it walkable, a cab ride away, public transport?

This idea to go to Strasbourg just popped into my head during Monday Night Football, much like the trip did this weekend. I'm a flight attendant for JetBlue (American carrier), so I'm fortunate to be able to take these kinds of jaunts across the pond for pennies on the dollar. That's another reason why I don't feel like my money's worth is in jeopardy here; I can always go back if the spirit moves me

For those who have been to Strasbourg, is it a memory you can't live without? Is it really the charming half-Francophile, half-Bavarian town I'm sketching in my mind? I appreciate your feedback!

longhorn55

First of all, Strasbourg borders Baden-Wuerttemberg, not Bavaria, so it's not a half-Bavarian town.

Second, based on the time I spent there when I lived in Stuttgart, I would not say it is worth the time it would take you to get there from Paris. We only drove a couple hours to get there and it really wasn't even worth that amount of time.

Third, if you want to see something German, I'd recommend either Trier or Cologne. Those towns are closer to Paris than Strasbourg and, IMHO, much more interesting.

StCirq

I wouldn't call it half-French (certainly not half-francophile...did you mean francophone? wouldn't call it that, either) - half Bavarian. It's Alsatian and all that that entails, having been yo-yoéd back and forth between France and Germany 11 times over the course of history. If that means half and half to you, OK, but it's a very French town these days, with some germanic influences, certainly in the food and architecture.

It's not a memory I can live without, but I've been there a half-dozen times, and there are very few places I've been to that often that I can live without, so I'm not the one to ask, probably. If I never got back there I wouldn't shed tears, but I'm 60 and have traveled to thousands of places and could say that about skads of places.

It's not my favorite part of France by a long shot. I don't like the food there, particularly, but I'm not a fan of Germanic foods to begin with. It's got a whole lot of fascinating history and things to see, however, and for that I love it. And it's just SO different from other parts of France that it's gripping.

So I'd say go for it. It's not a long trip, and as you say you're traveling alone and a long day isn't a big deal. You'll be able to trek around the main parts of the city and get a sense of what it's all about. Enjoy!

agedude

Go to Strasbourg and enjoy the day. The central station is in the west side of the city center, so all the main sights are an easy walk. It's a beautiful city and I really enjoyed my visit.

Kyliebaby3

Thanks to all of you! Train tickets booked (grabbed some PREMS), and I'm headed to Strasbourg two weeks from tomorrow.

The half-French, half-German aspect was what I was referencing, and it seems to be a darling city from the photos I've seen. Additionally, I do love German food, so I think this little slice will tide me over for the time being. I actually like to take cooking classes or do something culinary related in the places I visit so I can blog about it (www.culinaryhopscotch.com), so I may see if there's something there worth having a look at, particularly with collaboration of French and German influences, which I'm just assuming there are.

StCirq: you are a gem! You've helped me before with my queries, and once again, there you are. Much appreciated to all of you!

StCirq

Enjoy your trip, Kyliebaby. I'm totally sure you will LOVE Strasbourg.

grandmere

I, too, really enjoy Strasbourg and have been there three times. My daughter spent her jr. year in college there, so it will always be a special place to us. I think the Germanic influence on food and culture make it especially interesting. I think it's great you're going ahead with your plan to go there!

Kyliebaby3

Thanks Grandmere! Appreciate your feedback, and I'm <b>very</b> excited to see the city. I know it's cheesy, but I'm trying to figure out how to book a tour at the Kronenbourg brewery. I doubt it will take much time, and I do happen to love that beer

I found another thread with a bunch of restaurant recommendations that look lovely, so I think I'll fill my tummy with a hearty lunch and just cruise around. Thanks for your input!

gwan

I like Strasbourg a lot too. Walk around Petite France, see the cathedral, do the Kronenbourg tour and eat some yummy food. It was really my first time eating Germanic food, and I enjoyed choucroute garnie (warning, it was a huuuge portion and with a lot of sauerkraut) and spatzle very much.

tom18

We were there about a year ago - took the train there from Colmar. You can walk through Petite France on the way from the train station to the city center. The main square is Gutenberg Square, which is great for people-watching. The cathedral is near the square. The big attraction of the cathedral is the astronomical clock (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strasbo...onomical_clock). The performance is at 12:30, but you need to buy tickets (at a literal hole in the wall of the cathedral toward the rear on the right side as you face the cathedral), then stand in line to enter. A slideshow begins at noon.

There are lots of neat things around the main square and also good places to eat (however, I am not a fan of charcoutre). Also, there is a tram that you can catch near Gutenberg square that will take you back to the train station - or, you can also take the tram from the station to the city center.

Strasbourg is a nice little city - enjoy your time there!

jamikins

We really enjoyed our short break to Strasbourg in 2008. We wrote a trip report here and posted our pics:

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...-in-france.cfm

Kyliebaby3

Thank you everyone! This is all fantastic information. I'm very excited to finally get there...

kerouac

I made a trip to Strasbourg recently -- my photo report might be of interest to you: http://tinyurl.com/sxb-2012

Kyliebaby3

Thanks Jamikins and Kerouac! Some reading to catch-up on as I try to commute back to JFK for work this week. That should go swimmingly I'm sure

Kyliebaby3

Loving these photos, Kerouac! They are amazing!

nytraveler

Strasbourg is not at all Bavarian - I'm afraid you've misplaced Bavaria.

It is however quite germanic in overall look.

I wouldn't do a day trip since I think there is just too much there to see and do. We spent 4 nights - 2 full days in town and one down to Colmar and to see a couple of the wine towns on the way back.

Yes, the train station is in the center of town and the center is small and easily walkable. Suggest you check out info on the sights to see if you can actually see what you want in one day.

kerouac

When I think of Germany, I do not think of half-beamed buildings -- Switzerland maybe, but not all of it either. In any case, the Swiss German dialect is much closer to Alsatian than German is.

Actually, cities like Luxembourg and Metz look much more German because their major buildings were built when the Prussians ruled them -- not the case of Strasbourg.