111op

I understand that the "show" is at 12:30. And I think that the clock is inside the cathedral. Is that right?

How long are the lines to buy tickets? And how long does the show last?

I need to plan my trip there on Sunday carefully.

Thanks!

drbb

I'm reading from my notes and my trip journal - we were in Strasbourg in June 2004, so I assume all is the same.

The line for the Horloge Astronomique starts at the south door at 11:45 for the 12:30 showing. If I remember correctly, this is on the right side of the church as you look at the front doors. You cannot get to the clock through the main chapel.

During the show there is a recorded narration in several languages that is difficult to hear. It's a good idea to read up on the clock and what it does, e.g., the procession of the ages of man, the parade of the apostles, etc.

I recommend Maison Kammerzell on the square for lunch - not a bargain but a wonderful setting with its 15th c carvings, barrel vaulting, frescoes. Good Alsatian food.

The cathedral is beautiful and very imposing - it's pink and rose edifice suddenly rises before you as you come to it through the narrow, winding cobbled streets. The exterior carvings are gorgeous. Be sure to climb the 330 steps to the top if you can.

drbb

Just realized that I did not answer one of your questions. We lined up at 11:45 for the 12:30 show and there were a few people in line before us. We were able to walk right up to the ticket window. They will only allow so many into the chapel where the clock is so the number of tickets is limited. The show lasts about 30 minutes.

Are you driving a car to Strasbourg? If so, I recommend that you park in a municipal lot outside of the city centre and take a tram into the city. That will save you a good bit of time and frustration.

111op

That's very helpful. Thanks!

I'm taking the TGV from Paris. I'll have to think about whether I can see the show now. I may have a pretty tight itinerary, depending on how much I want to squeeze in that day. I'm going to Colmar as well.

Is the show a must see, in your opinion?

Maybe I can save that for another trip.

111op

Do people know if you can arrive right at 12:30 pm and still get in? When does the door to the part of the cathedral with the clock close?

111op

Maybe not:

http://www.ot-strasbourg.com/article...le=148&lang=en

"Tickets are sold at the postcard stand from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and from the cashier at the South doorway from 11.35 a.m. to 12.15 p.m."

marigross

Strasbourg is one of my favorite European cities. It can certainly fill up a full day.

While the cathedral is breathtaking, the clock is nice but I would not make a detour just to see it.

I recently took a daytrip with colleagues to Strasbourg over a working weekend. We did a LOT of things (way too much IMO) but I had been there before so I did not mind. This is the itinerary that we followed:

- arrived at Train Station (1000)

- walked through Old Town up to the Cathedral and watched the Clock show (1300)

- lunch (a Mongolian BBQ - it was good but I just could not beleive the choice while being in a gastronomic paradise) (1400)

- up to the Cathedral tower (the view on a CLEAR DAY is truly amazing and worth the effort)(1500)

- had a Kir in the Cathedral plaza to recover (1600)

- The plan was to go on a canal tour but there was a problem and the boats were not leaving, so we just took a walk through Petite France, truly beautiful place! (1730)

- Went to the modern art museum. Mostly to see the building itself since it was a Sunday with free entrance. I had not been there before and wished I had had more time to visit, it seemed worthwhile. (1830)

- Took a bus to go see the European Parliment. I was cold and tired so my opinion was somewhat biased: totally not worth it and madness after a full day. It could be seen from the tower in the Cathedral and that would have been enough for me. (1900)

- dragged our feet back to the train station to find our train reservation had been bungled and had to stand on the train all the way back to Germany. By then I was not a happy trooper to say the least (2000).

111op

Thanks for your report, mari.

By the way, the modern art museum closes at 6 pm on Sundays, it seems to me. But maybe you were there on the first Sunday of the month or something?

I'm going back and forth between how much time to spend in Strasbourg. I can't decide how much I want to squeeze in that day. I'm going to Colmar for sure. But I may throw in Baden-Baden also.