Strasbourg Food Tour - A Taste of Tradition
4,9 (801)3h30Strasbourg, France
From€79
HistoricalCultureHiking
Strasbourg: Premium Tour with Tasting
5(6 reviews)Strasbourg, France
2h30DurationEnglish, FrenchOffered inMobile ticketTicketNot includedPickupEasyLevel
About this experience
Join a 2.5-hour guided tour in the historic heart of Strasbourg with a licensed local guide. This small group experience accommodates up to 8 participants, providing a personal atmosphere. Explore the Cathedral district and the scenic Petite France while learning about local legends and history. The tour includes a small wine and cheese tasting. Pets are welcome to join. This tour is easy walking but not suitable for wheelchair users. Minors must be accompanied by an adult.
Itinerary
1
Cathedrale Notre Dame de Strasbourg
The Strasbourg Cathedral is no mere monument; it is a Gothic masterpiece that tells four centuries of history. I will give you the keys to unlock its secrets. We will begin our discovery in front of the 3D model at the foot of the cathedral’s south façade, then continue our exploration before the western façade, a true stone book rich with sculptures and symbols. You will learn how the structure transformed over time, from its Romanesque foundations to its 142-meter-high spire (466-foot-high). Together, we will decipher its history and the anecdotes of its builders. Before continuing the tour, I will explain how this marvel was built, one step at a time, and how it became the tallest monument in Christendom until the 19th century.
2
Place Gutenberg
In the heart of the city, Place Gutenberg comes alive, watched over by the statue of the man who gave wings to knowledge. Your guide will take you on a journey through time, recounting how this square was a crucial location in history. It was here, in Strasbourg, that Johannes Gutenberg perfected his invention and where the very first Bible in German was printed. You will learn how, long before the era of social media, the world’s first newspaper was also born in this city. In the background, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the proud Renaissance building named Neue Bau, still seems to echo the intellectual ferment of the time. Its façades, typical of the Alsatian style, are silent witnesses to Strasbourg's prosperity and ingenuity. This is a square where the past, commerce, and innovation meet, and your guide will give you all the keys to unlock its secrets.
3
Eglise Saint-Thomas
On the square that bears its name, Saint Thomas Church stands like a stone sentinel. Considered the city’s Protestant cathedral, it is a majestic witness to the Reformation. I will take you on a journey through time to tell you its unique history. You will learn how, starting in the 16th century, Saint Thomas Church became the centerpiece of Alsatian Protestantism, a movement that shaped Strasbourg’s identity. Its architecture, both sober and elegant, is a true stone book that will speak to you of the beliefs and intellectual movements of the era. You will understand why it is a symbol of the Reformation, and how its sandstone walls still seem to echo a different faith.
4
Pont Couverts
Since the Middle Ages, the stone towers of Ponts Couverts (Covered Bridges) have stood like proud guards. Witnesses to an age of iron and stone, their 13th-century walls tell a story that is both military and carceral. I will reveal the secrets of this ancient fortification. You will discover how this defensive structure, which also served as a prison, has evolved over time. And finally, a riddle will be posed to you: if they are called the Covered Bridges, why don't they have a roof today? The answer is simpler than it seems!
5
Barrage Vauban
Barrage Vauban (Vauban Dam), a chapter of history written by the hand of Louis XIV, stands as a masterpiece of defensive engineering. I will tell you how, after the annexation of Strasbourg, the Sun King ordered his architect to build this dam to protect the city in case of attack. Yet, despite its ingenuity, the dam met with an ironic fate. I will recount how it was used during the Franco-Prussian War of 1870, but how its effectiveness was nullified by Prussian bombs. It is from its terrace, which offers a unique panorama of the city (subject to opening hours), that we will bridge the gap between past and present. We will be able to admire the architecture of Petite France and the Neustadt, and discuss Strasbourg's destiny today, in the heart of the magnificent Alsace region.
6
Le Square Louise Weiss
Square Louise Weiss is named after an exceptional woman: journalist, feminist, and Dean of the European Parliament. I will tell you more about the European institutions in Strasbourg. Lined with magnificent half-timbered houses, this location takes on a whole new dimension as Christmas approaches, as it hosts a section of France’s oldest Christmas market, dating back to 1570, and one of the oldest in the world. You will immerse yourself in a more authentic market, a favorite among locals. I will recount the story of this market, which was originally dedicated to St. Nicholas, but was banned after the Reformation in favor of the one we know today, the "Christkindelsmärik" (Christ Child's Market), explaining the fascinating story of St. Nicholas.
7
La Petite France
Petite France is so much more than a postcard-perfect scene where half-timbered houses are reflected in the water. Once a working-class district for tanners, millers, and fishermen, it has transformed its humble past into a universal charm that now attracts visitors from all over the world. I will immerse you in the soul of this place, which has a vibrant artisan history, notably with a presentation of the tanners' "poêle" (guildhall). This working district is also where the history of the guilds was written—these powerful groups of artisans and merchants who held the reins of the city. The traditional houses, dating from the 15th and 16th centuries, hide other secrets: I'll explain why their unique architecture was a clever trick to avoid taxes. This location is a living page of history, a bridge between the past and the present.
8
Malker
Discover the authenticity of Alsace at the famous local fine food store: Mon Oncle Malker de Munster. The shop is highly appreciated by locals for its authentic products. Your guide invites you to a convivial tasting, focusing on local, high-quality products: - A glass of dry white wine (Riesling or Pinot Gris), as in Alsace, cheese is also paired with white wine. Gewurztraminer is available upon prior request. - Accompaniments: Alsatian cheeses, including the famous Munster, the local star, and cured sausage (saucisson). - Non-alcoholic options: A soft drink (homemade apple juice or equivalent) is offered to minors or those who do not wish to consume alcohol. (Please inform your guide at the start of the tour.) Children aged 13 and under, for whom the tour is half-price, are not included in the tasting, but a soft drink will be offered to them if their parents requested it from the guide at the start of the tour.
What's included / not included
Free for dogs. They must be kept on a leash and be sociable.Tour led by an officially licensed tour guide.Snacks
GratuitiesEntrance feesNo interior visit of the cathedral.
Additional information
Accessibility and comfort
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Traveller reviews
56 reviews
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