Strasbourg Cathedral of Notre Dame (Cathédrale Notre Dame de Strasbourg)
The Basics
The UNESCO-listed cathedral dates back to 1015, but the majority of the structure was built between the 12th and 15th centuries. Admire the 12th-century stained glass windows and magnificent 18-meter-tall astronomical clock, then climb the 300-step spiral staircase for a stunning view of the city.
Full-day tours of the UNESCO-listed Grande Île (the city’s historic center) include the cathedral along with other top attractions, such as the Rohan Palace. Some tours go farther afield, heading through the Black Forest to Lake Mummelsee and the Kurhaus casino in the spa town of Baden-Baden. You can also explore the city on a bicycle, take a boat through the canals, or opt for a gastronomy-focused tour and try local Alsatian specialties.
Things To Know Before Going
There is a small admission fee to enter the cathedral and an extra fee to see the astronomical clock and the viewing platform.
Children under 5 enter for free.
The church is wheelchair accessible, but the viewing platform is not.
The Strasbourg Cathedral is a place of worship; please maintain a respectful attitude when visiting.
How To Get There
Strasbourg Cathedral is located at Place de la Cathédrale on the east side of Grande Île, in central Strasbourg, and is walking distance from many of the city’s other major attractions. To reach the site via tram, take the the A or E to the Langstross Grand'Rue stop or the B, C, or F to the Broglie stop; both are about a 5-minute walk from the cathedral. Driving is not recommended in the Grande Île as the streets are very narrow and parking is limited.
Trip ideas
When To Get There
The cathedral is open daily from morning until evening. Strasbourg is a great place to visit at any time of year. Peak seasons are June–August, when the city hosts a number of outdoor festivals, and around Christmastime, when everything is festooned in lights and the city hosts one of Europe’s most famous Christmas markets.
Grande Île
The Grande Île—the historic center of Strasbourg—is an island separated from the rest of the city by the River Ill and the Canal du Faux-Rempart. This UNESCO-listed area is home to the majority of the city’s top attractions, including the cathedral, the Rohan Palace (Palais Rohan), the Archaeological Museum, the Museum of Decorative Arts, the Museum of Fine Arts, and the picturesque La Petite France, a neighborhood full of canals and half-timbered buildings.
- Rohan Palace (Palais Rohan)
- Alsatian Museum (Musée Alsacien)
- Place Gutenberg
- Grande Île
- Kamerzell House (Maison Kammerzell)
- St. Thomas Church (Eglise St. Thomas)
- Christmas Market (Christkindelsmärik)
- La Petite France
- Tanners House (Maison des Tanneurs)
- Strasbourg Covered Bridges (Ponts Couverts)
- Vauban Dam (Barrage Vauban)
- Orangerie Park (Parc de l'Orangerie)
- Fort of Mutzig (Feste Kaiser Wilhelm II)
- Château du Haut-Koenigsbourg