Strasbourg

For centuries a bone of contention between France and Germany, this city of just over ¼ million inhabitants has a cultured past and dynamic present, acting as home to a large student population and several administrative seats of the European Union. With a wider area measuring 3 mls N to S and 4 mls E to W, most of tourist interest is situated on Grande Ile, a roughly oval island of 1¼ mls by ¾ ml, bounded by the fast-flowing River Ill on one side and a canal on the other. This is Strasbourg's historic centre and the location of many of its most interesting sights: the magnificent pink-sandstone Gothic cathedral, handsome squares and churches, attractive shops and traditional half-timbered buildings. In the SW corner is La Petite France - a picturesque collection of medieval dwellings, cobbled streets, and grassy quays with charming bridges, weeping willows and gliding swans - which is classed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Pedestrian-friendly streets make it easy to explore the island on foot, although visitors should watch out for the silent, hi-tech trams as well as cyclists making the most of the city's nearly 200 mls of cycle paths.

Lovers of culture, history and fine food, both young and mature.

A broad range of 2- and 3-star hotels with a few 4-stars; for modest purses there are at least half-a-dozen cheapies. Limited self catering.

Several department stores, myriad boutiques, all the fashionable names. Splendid epicurean products (pate de foie gras was invented in Strasbourg), glassware, pottery, carved wood, dolls, printed materials and artificial flowers. Flea markets on Wed and Sat.

Daytime: strolls around Grand Ile; cathedral with its astronomical clock; Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art; Rohan Palace including a fine arts museum, museum of decorative arts and archaeological museum; Old Butcher's Hall housing a folk-art museum; European institutions; planetarium; minitrain ride around the old city; cycling; free Alsatian folk-music performances (summer). Nightlife: active opera and theatre companies; more than 30 cinemas showing foreign films with French subtitles; choice of discos and bars, easily sniffed out by devotees.

A wide assortment of good restaurants, including ethnic. Regional specialities include sauerkraut, sausages, hams, 42 different kinds of pate and kidney, chicken, trout and salmon dishes; "Kougelhof" is a confection of flour, butter, eggs, sweetened milk, sultanas and almonds. It is difficult to pass by a lively "Winstub" or "Birstub" (wine or beer cellar) without entering: the wines and the beer are superb.

Good public bus service. Hi-tech trams. Bicycle hire.

Half day: boat trips on narrow River Ill. Full day: Rhine trip; visit to brewery.

In NE France, across the Rhine from Germany. 90 mls E of Nancy. 300 mls E of Paris. 88 mls N of Basle (Switzerland). 7½ mls NE of Strasbourg international airport.

On the River Rhine, in a broad, flat valley of cultivated fields, orchards and vineyards bordered by the Vosges Mountains and the Black Forest.

Post Code: 67000
Website: www.strasbourg.com

Airport : Entzheim
Airport Code: SXB
Flight time from ther U.K.: 1 hr 30 mins