City Areas
Strasbourg is a popular tourist destination primarily thanks to the beautifully preserved and pedestrian friendly city centre, which can be explored on foot or bicycle in a few days.
Interest areas
- Grande Île is the historic centre of Strasbourg, an island in the Ill River. It was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988. Aside from the Strasbourg Cathedral – the world’s fourth-tallest church and an ornate example of 15-century gothic architecture – Grand Île is home to four other centuries-old churches: St. Thomas, St. Pierre-le-Vieux, St. Pierre-le-Jeune, and St. Étienne.
- Petite France is the name given to the small area in the south corner of the Grande Île where the river Ill splits up into a number of canals and cascades. It is home to some of Strasbourg’s prettiest and most photogenic streets and buildings, with half timbered townhouses leaning out over the narrow cobbled streets. Still, one of the most popular tourist attractions here are the bridges and towers named Ponts-Couverts.
- The German district (Quartier Allemand) in the north-east of Strasbourg displays high-class eclecticist buildings, mixing Neo-Egyptian, Neo-Greek and Neo-Babylonian styles. Among these, Palais du Rhin (the former imperial palace) is a huge, beautifully preserved landmark of 19th century Prussian architecture. Notable parks in the district are Place de la République, Place de l’Université, Place Brant, and Place Arnold.
- The European district (Quartier Européen) is home to some spectacular administrative buildings of sometimes utterly large size, among which the European Court of Human Rights is perhaps the finest. Other important buildings in the area are the European Parliament, the Council of Europe and ARTE.
Administrative areas
Strasbourg is divided into 10 cantons, as follows:
- Strasbourg canton 1 – the city center;
- Strasbourg canton 2 – the railway station area;
- Strasbourg canton 3 – the Esplanade, Bourse and Krutenau districts;
- Strasbourg canton 4 – the Quinze district;
- Strasbourg canton 5 – the Robertsau district;
- Strasbourg canton 6 – the Cronenbourg, Koenigshoffen and Hautepierre du Wacken districts;
- Strasbourg canton 7 – the Meinau district and west of Neudorf;
- Strasbourg canton 8 – the Neudorf district (new village);
- Strasbourg canton 9 – the Montagne-Verte and Elsau districts;
- Strasbourg canton 10 – the Neuhof and Port du Rhin districts.
Source: Wiki