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Strasbourg Travel Guide
Savor the Rich Gastronomy of Alsace: From Munster Cheese to Grand Cru Riesling, Experience the Culinary Wonders of France's Cultural Crossroads
Northern France boasts many beautiful attractions, not least the stunning scenery of Normandy, the impressive megaliths of Carnac, and the 18th-century grandeur of Nancy’s historic center. But nothing can compare with Strasbourg, an architectural masterpiece located halfway between Paris and Prague. Indeed, this cosmopolitan and vibrant city is often known as “the crossroads of Europe.” Internationally renowned for housing the futuristic Palais de l’Europe – the seat of the European Parliament – Strasbourg warrants a detailed investigation.
The area now known as Strasbourg has a rich history of human habitation that spans several millennia. The Celtic Gauls moved into the region around 1300 BC, establishing trading links with the Greeks by about 600 BC. By the end of the third century BC, a thriving Celtic township known as “Argentorate,” appeared. The Roman conquest of France in 52 BC effectively quashed the aspirations of the Gauls, bringing centuries of conflict between the two civilizations to a close. The Gauls hounded the Romans with guerrilla warfare for the next few years and stood up to them in several match-drawn pitched battles. But gradually, Gallic resistance collapsed, and Roman rule in Gaul reigned supreme.
Meanwhile, under Nero Claudius Drusus, the Romans founded a military outpost on Strasbourg’s current location called Argentoratum. As an important strategic outpost in Gaul, the settlement soon grew and was used to station Roman regions throughout the centuries. It would also play a pivotal role in the conflict between the Romans and Alemanni. On 2 January 366, the Alemanni tribe from northern Europe crossed the frozen Rhine to invade the Roman Empire. In the 5th century, the Alemanni conquered and then settled in what today is the Alsace region and a large part of Switzerland. Strasbourg remained part of the Alemanni’s territory until the Huns and, later, the Franks established control over the region. From the 5th to the 9th centuries, Strasbourg prospered as a major commercial center, eventually coming under the Holy Roman Empire’s jurisdiction in 923.
In the 14th century, Strasbourg declared itself a free Republic, a momentous and unprecedented move for the Alsace region. From 1332 until 1681, Strasbourg was effectively ruled by a guild of citizens – including merchants and artisans – whose tenure accorded the city a certain democratic character. Sadly, in 1348, the deadly Bubonic plague struck Strasbourg, killing thousands and inciting its rulers to enter a dark period of anti-semitism. On 14 February 1349, they initiated one of the worst pogroms in pre-modern history: over a thousand Jews were publicly executed. The remainder of the Jewish population was expelled from the city. Indeed, anti-semitism is an unfortunate and shameful aspect of Strasbourg’s past; until the end of the 18th century, Jews were forbidden to remain in the center after 10 p.m.
In contrast, the 15th century saw much technological and social advancement emanate from the growing and prosperous city of Strasbourg. The German blacksmith Johannes Gutenberg worked in Strasbourg from about 1434 to 1444, perfecting the world’s first printing press and the movable metal type, which made it so revolutionary. A university was founded in 1566 – subsequently, the first modern newspaper was published in Strasbourg in 1605, when Johann Carolus received permission from the City of Strasbourg to print and distribute a weekly journal written in German by reporters from several central European cities.
Nevertheless, the religious and political conflict would ultimately define the 16th and 17th centuries in Strasbourg and, indeed, France. The Reformation swept through Europe in the 1530s, leading to the Wars of Religion between the Huguenots (French Protestants), the Catholic League, and the Catholic Monarchy. Strasbourg embraced the religious teachings of Martin Luther, and several leaders of the Reformation took up residence here.
Until the late 17th century, the self-proclaimed “Free City of Strasbourg” remained precisely that, although French influence in Alsace increased during the Thirty Years’ War (1618-48) when Alsatian cities, caught between opposing Catholic and Protestant factions, turned to France. However, Strasbourg remained neutral and retained its status as an Imperial Free City. But, the Roi Soleil (Sun King) Louis XIV annexed Strasbourg in 1681 to extend his kingdom’s borders. An era had come to an end.
By the time of the French Revolution of the 18th century, Alsatians felt more connected to France than to Germany. Yet during the revolution, when the radical Jacobins declared France’s first Republic in 1792, Strasbourg lost its status as a free city. However, Napoleon Bonaparte’s subsequent rise to power was a boon for the citizens of Strasbourg, as Napoleon visited the city several times in the early 19th century. In 1810, Napoleon’s second wife, Marie Louise, spent her first night on French soil in the city. His reign was cut short in 1814 – Napoleon was exiled to Elba, and his subsequent defeat at the Battle of Waterloo led to his permanent banishment.
However, Napoleon’s legacy would continue to play a role of considerable importance in French affairs in the second half of the 19th century. Napoleon’s nephew led a coup d’etat in 1851 and proclaimed himself Emperor Napoleon III of the Second Empire. France enjoyed significant economic growth at this time, although, like his uncle, Napoleon III embroiled France in various catastrophic conflicts, including the Crimean War and the humiliating Franco-Prussian War (1870-71). This was a supremely embarrassing episode in French history, ending with the Treaty of Frankfurt, by which an embittered France was forced to cede Alsace to the Kaiser.
Yet, it should be emphasized that Strasbourg flourished as a member of the newly established German Empire. As part of Imperial Germany, Strasbourg was rebuilt and developed on a grand and representative scale, with many elegant buildings constructed during this era. The city flourished as a significant center of learning and commerce, enjoying an unparalleled period of prosperity.
Strasbourg and, indeed, Alsace played a decisive role in the events of the 20th century. Following Germany’s defeat in WWI, the region was returned to France after many decades of German rule. However, the city was annexed by Nazi Germany in 1940. After WWII, Alsace returned to France again, and the whole country focused on rebuilding its shattered landscape. Intra-Alsation tensions ran high, however, as those who had fled came back and confronted neighbors whom they suspected of having collaborated with the Germans: 140,000 Alsatians, as annexed citizens of the Third Reich, had been conscripted into Hitler’s armies. These conscripts were known as the ‘Malgre-Nous’ (literally ‘despite ourselves’) because the vast majority had gone off to war against their will; over half never returned from the Russian front and post-war Soviet prison camps. But, in the aftermath, it became a symbol of hope – Alsace was chosen as the seat of the Council of Europe in 1949 and, later, the European Parliament.
Today, Strasbourg is a proud emblem of pan-European coexistence and collaboration; prosperous and cosmopolitan languages from all over the world can be heard in this metropolis, Alsace’s intellectual and cultural capital. Situated only a few kilometers west of the Rhine, the city is aptly named, for it is one of the vital transport arteries that have linked northern Europe with the Mediterranean since Celtic times. And if that wasn’t enough, Strasbourg is packed full of enticing restaurants, incredible (traditional Alsation eateries), and pubs that fill the wonderful old city – a beautiful area to explore on foot. Bustling public squares, delightful cafes, and upmarket shopping streets – Strasbourg is a paradise for any epicurean on vacation.
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Choucroute Alsacienne Gastronomy & Wine
Charming and beautiful Alsace, long a meeting place of Europe’s Latin and Germanic cultures, is no shrinking violet in the gastronomic stakes. Rich and hearty is the best way to define local cuisine; Alsatians are renowned for their love of game – particularly duck and geese – and visitors may well believe they’ve stumbled into Germany rather than France. A classic dish of this meaty, Teutonic cuisine is choucroute alsacienne (also called choucroute garnie), sauerkraut flavored with juniper berries and served with hot sausage, bacon, pork, and ham knuckle. Of course, charcuterie is produced in every region in France, although gastronomes would readily agree that Alsatian sausages, cured meats, and terrines are utterly exquisite.
Local foie gras is also highly sought after – Alsatian foie gras owes its reputation to the foie gras pâté created in 1778 by Jean Pierre Clause, the cook of Marshal Contades, the military governor of Strasbourg at that time. Typically served cold, a local delicacy is sliced foie gras, fried in its fat, and served with potatoes. Flammekueche is another delicious local specialty – a rectangular pizza topped with crème fraîche, thinly sliced raw onions, lardons, or small bacon stripes. Alsace can also lay claim to inventing the Bretzel (pretzel), which a baker from Ingwiller reportedly invented. On the sweeter side is tarte alsacienne, a delicious custard tart made with local fruits like mirabelles (sweet yellow plums) or quetsches (a variety of purple plums).
And then there’s Munster, surely one of France’s finest cheeses. It is made on both sides of the Vosges Mountains – the name Munster derives from the French word for a monastery, Monastère. Munster is a cows’ milk cheese; at its best, this delectable cheese offers pungent rind-washed aromas and a delicious creamy flavor profile. Since 1978, Munster has its own AOC (Appellation d’Origine Controlée), with production limited to seven departments. Bargkass, the “Gruyère des Vosges,” is another excellent cheese, as is Brouère.
But what could complement all this exquisite gastronomy? Fortunately, to say that Alsace is self-sufficient in the wine stakes is a massive understatement; Alsatian whites are among the finest in Europe, with Grand Cru Riesling continuing to steal a march in Michelin restaurants worldwide. Piercingly aromatic and unique in style, Alsace Pinot Gris, Blanc, and Silvaner are equally memorable and often affordable. These are wines to please even the most hardened critics – exquisitely perfumed and structured wines are the order of the day here. Pinot Noir also appears while Cremant d’ Alsace is the obligatory start to any Alsatian banquet. Formidable!
A Gastronomic Guide to Alsace Cuisine: Read more
Nearby Wine Regions
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Highlights
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Grande Ile
With its bustling public squares, busy pedestrianized precincts, and chic cafes, the Grand Ile – a Unesco World Heritage Site since 1988 – is a paradise for the aimless ambler. The narrow streets of the old city are especially enchanting at night, particularly around the cathedral. Our favorite part of Strasbourg remains Petite France, which is the stuff of fairy tales. Criss-crossed by narrow lanes, canals, and locks, the half-timbered houses, meticulously maintained and sprouting veritable thickets of geraniums, are a must-see.
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Notre Dame Cathedral
Strasbourg’s Gothic cathedral is one of the marvels of European architecture. The west facade was completed in 1284, but the 142m spire – the tallest of its time – was not in place in 1439; its southern companion was never built. Among the highlights are the 12-14th-century stained-glass windows, which shine like jewels on a sunny day.
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Palais Rohan
The majestic Palais Rohan was built between 1732 and 1742 as a residence for the city’s princely bishops. In the basement, the Musee Archeologique takes you from the paleolithic to AD 800.
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Musee Alsacien
Tucked away in three typical houses from the 1500s and 1600s, the Musee Alsacien affords a fascinating glimpse into Alsatian life over the centuries. Displays in the museum’s two-dozen rooms include kitchen equipment, children’s toys, furniture, and even a tiny 18th-century synagogue.
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