A long weekend in May gave me the opportunity to visit Strasbourg. Introduction to the trip and its organization.
In the year 2023, the month of May is full of weekday public holidays, providing an opportunity to extend weekends. So after Bordeaux and Rouen, I decided to go to Strasbourg for a change of scene.
The destination
Just 1h30 by TGV (high speed train) from Paris, Strasbourg is one of the most easily accessible weekend destinations.
It’s renowned for its famous cathedral, its architecture and its typical town center. What’s more, it’s also one of France’s gastronomic strongholds.
I could also have told you about its Christmas market, but the timing wasn’t right in May.
I’ll be taking advantage of my stay to visit Colmar, about 30 minutes away by train.
Transportation
If you want to get to Strasbourg, there’s no question: train is the most convenient way. But since Strasbourg is also served by Deutsche Bahn and its ICE, I’ll choose to travel the German way.
The reason? Always the risk of an untimely strike with our beloved national railroad company, and the desire to try out another foreign carrier on a French route after the excellent Trenitalia to Lyon.
And when I can avoid giving a euro to the SNCF, I don’t deprive myself.
Once there, I’ll do everything on foot, as the city is so pleasant for that. Otherwise, it has a very good bus and streetcar network. Just once, to go out of town for dinner, I’ll take an Uber.
The hotel
There’s a bit of choice at Marriott in Strasbourg and I’d go for the Hotel Maison Rouge because of its very central location close to the station. What’s more, we’ve never been disappointed at Autograph Collection.
Restaurants
Whatever the style or range you’re looking for, Strasbourg is full of good, even excellent, restaurants.
As usual, I tried to do one gourmet table, one simple and one intermediate.
When it came to fine dining, I was spoilt for choice and chose the famous Au Crocodile almost by reflex.
As for the simple and local one it will be Chez Yvonne, an obviously renowned winstub.
For the in-between, I’ll be going out of town for a while to Miro, a rather creative gourmet restaurant that’s also getting good press.
Bottom line
This gives us the following program
| # | Type | Post |
| 1 | Diary | Planning a weekend in Strasbourg |
| 2 | Train | Paris-Strasbourg – Deutsche Bahn ICE – First Class |
| 3 | Hotel | Maison Rouge, Strasbourg |
| 4 | Restaurant | Au Crocodile, Strasbourg |
| 5 | Restaurant | Chez Yvonne, Strasbourg |
| 6 | Restaurant | Miro, Ostwald (Strasbourg) |
| 7 | Diary | Tour of Strasbourg |
| 8 | Diary | Tour of Colmar |
| 9 | Train | Strasbourg-Paris – Deutsche Bahn ICE – First Class ( without interest, no review) |
| 10 | Diary | Debrief of the weekend in Strasbourg |
