I stayed over with a friend from the USA who was based in Basel and enjoyed the previous day with him and his family. Today, I was to meet up with another friend from work; the plan was to drive to Strasbourg and spend the day there. He picked me up around 7:00 AM, and soon we were on our way. After leaving Switzerland, we drove on the German side of the border until Kehl. We had not met in a long time, and it was nice to catch up during the drive.
We crossed the Pont de l’Europe over the Rhine, a symbolic bridge connecting Germany and France. We parked the car close to Tour du Bourreau (Hangman’s Tower), a preserved part of the city’s 14th-century medieval fortifications.
We started our walk around the Grande-Île de Strasbourg, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its perfectly preserved medieval cityscape. We then headed to the Barrage Vauban, a 17th-century bridge and weir that once served as a defensive work, offering a panoramic view of the Petite-France district. This area is famous for its stunning timber-framed houses and winding canals that reflect the city’s Alsatian heritage.
Next was the St. Thomas’ Church, a primary Protestant church often called the “Old Lady” of the city. Passing through Place Gutenberg, we saw the Statue de Johannes Gutenberg, honoring the inventor of the printing press who lived in Strasbourg in the 15th century. We then reached the Strasbourg Cathedral (Cathédrale Notre-Dame), a magnificent example of Romanesque and Rayonnant Gothic architecture. Its pink sandstone facade and single soaring spire dominated the square.
Walking along the water, we saw the Strasbourg river locks in action, a fascinating sight as the canal boats navigated the city’s varying water levels.
We stopped for lunch at Europ’Café to try some local specialties.
After lunch, we passed by Kléber Square, the largest square in the city center, and walked back toward the Ponts Couverts de Strasbourg. These three bridges, once covered by wooden roofs, are recognizable by their prominent defensive towers. We crossed over the Barrage Vauban once more to return to our car.
Our next stop was the European District, a short drive away. We walked to the Louise Weiss building, the prominent glass-and-steel home of the European Parliament.
Along the riverbank, we noticed several artistic benches designed by people from various European countries, representing the styles and designs of the continent.
We also saw the Agora (Council of Europe building) and the strikingly modern European Court of Human Rights, which consists of two large metallic cylinders designed by Richard Rogers.
I had booked a ticket on the IR2083 from Basel to Zurich at 6:37 PM, so we decided to head back so I would make it on time. The drive back gave us some more time to chat, and soon we were crossing the border back into Switzerland. He dropped me off at Basel SBB, and I bid him farewell. The train ride to Zurich was quick, and I took a tram from Zurich Hbf back to the hotel. It was great to spend time with a friend and see Strasbourg; overall, it was a very nice day.
🍽️ Europ’Café