Strasbourg by river rhine

The 'petite France' is the most picturesque quarter of the old Strasbourg. In the old time, the district was the fishermen, millers and tanners quarter, today it is a haven of peace at the heart of the city.

The small streets of 'little France' display a great number of beautiful half-timbered houses dating from the 16th and 17th century with their vast court yards and sloping roofs, opening on attics where tanners used to dry leather skins.

In the quarters of 'la petite France', are the Covered Bridges or Ponts Couverts in French.

Although, since the 18th century, roofs are no longer covering the bridges, they have kept their name. They are loomed over by four towers dating from the 14th century that are the vestiges of the old city walls and the symbol of the independence of the Republic of Strasbourg.

In 1681, soon after Strasbourg became a French city, a new fortification was built by Vauban.

Founded in 1931 in buildings dating from the 14th and 16th centuries that were initially used for the cathedral administration purposes. Today, the 'Musée de l'Oeuvre Notre-Dame' has on display Upper Rhenish fine and decorative arts from the early Middle Ages.

The museum is well known for its rich collections of:

• original sculptures
• glass windows
• architectural fragments
• building plans of Strasbourg Cathedral,

as well as for its amazing collection of works by:

• Peter Hemmel von Andlau
• Niclas Gerhaert van Leyden
• Ivo Strigel
• Konrad Witz
• Hans Baldung
• Sebastian Stoskopff.

Located on the banks of the Ill, inaugurated in 1998, it represents one of the last great projects in French modern art prior the year 2000.

The Modern and Contemporary Art Museum of Strasbourg offers to the visitors an evolution of ideas and shapes since the beginning of photography and impressionism up until today in a chronological way.

Its aim is to show some fundamental features of the art from the 20th century, as well as the differences between 'major' and 'minor' arts and from Jugendstil to Design.

Collections of famous artists such as Monet, Picasso, Arp or Sarkis are situated next to a large area adapted to contemporary art and artistic discoveries. Finally, the museum also houses a gallery dedicated to Gustave Doré, a library of art, an auditorium, a graphic art room.

Built in 1880, the building of the observatory shows four triangular pediments, each with sculpted heads representing the dawn, the sun, the moon and the aurora borealis.

The Star Crypt, place of interactive exhibitions, bring together the beauty of a historical space and the discovery of various scientific themes. In the Large Dome of the observatory are presented optical and mechanical performances of the telescope.

Each month, nocturnal observations sessions are proposed to the public.

• Tour of The European Parliament
• Tour of the Council of Europe
• Tour of the Palace of Europe