In the morning, we will come and pick you up at your accommodation in Riquewihr. Meet your English speaking driver guide (other languages on request) who will go over the program and itinerary of this small group private half day trip to Strasbourg. Then board your air conditioned vehicle and begin your half day tour to the European Captital.
Follow a certified tour guide in the Grande Ile, a Unesco World Heritage site, around the old pedestrian areas, the Cathedral and the Petite France neighborhood. The tour includes major landmarks such as Maison Kammerzell, Gutenberg square, St. Thomas church, the former tanners’ houses, the Covered Bridge and many more.
The Cathedral
Begin your private guided tour of Strasbourg.The old city centers around its Gothic cathedral, Our Lady of Strasbourg, built of red sandstone and described by Victor Hugo as a “gigantic and delicate marvel”! Follow your expert guide for the Cathedral* visit including the marvelous façade that provides one of the finest picture books of the Middle Ages that you will ever see.
The hundreds of sculptures which almost seem to leap out at you from the wall make great use of light and shadow effects. Another major attraction that your guide will comment on are the stained-glass windows dating from the 12th and 14th centuries and that form a particularly enchanting sight along with the rose window.
Finally, the highlight of the visit to the Cathedral of Notre Dame is the amazing Renaissance astronomical clock. Built in 1843 it features an orrery, a rotating display of the sun and moon, a planetary calendar, and even a mechanical rooster. Each day at around 12:30, the bird crows and a conga line of apostles issues forth from the clockworks, led by a little Christ.
* Please note that you will need to purchase the audio headset rental that is compulsory to visit the Cathedral.
The Old Town & La Petite France district
After the visit of the Cathedral, reach the Petite France district. Historically, this was the poor section of the city occupied by mills and tanneries, both of which depended on the river and its downward flowing branches to support their work.
Today, the neighborhood is one of the most charming of Strasbourg with its colorful 16th and 17th century half-timbered houses such as the ‘Maison des Tanneurs’ that your guide will certainly point out.
Your private guided tour in this charming area will lead you to our final stop: a series of fortified bridges and their three towers. This succession of three bridges linking arms with the Ill River is dominated by three 14th century towers, remains of the ancient medieval ramparts, which totalized 90 towers. The bridges themselves were once capped by a wooden roof.
Of course Strasbourg offers so much more including the visit of the German district, the visit of the European Parliament or the different Museums located in the Palais Rohan. Since this is a private tour don't hesitate to reach out to our team of travel advisors if there is a highlight of Strasbourg that you would like to include on this tour.
After your walking tour, enjoy some free time for personal discovery. Then it will be time to make our way back to Riquewihr where we will drop you off at your hotel. End of our services.
Please note that for those with a bit more time in the Alsace region we organise full day private day trips and guided tours to the most important sites including the castle of Haut Koenigsbourg.
