Rail Europe

Nestled on the French border with Germany, the Alsatian capital has long been a cultural oasis in the region. For a relatively small city, Strasbourg is home to over a dozen museums, a major opera house and the Strasbourg Philharmonic Orchestra, one of the oldest symphony orchestras in western Europe. The blending of French and German cultural elements, makes Strasbourg a unique destination for a day of museum hopping.


Morning

Palais des Rohans houses the Museum of Fine Arts, the Archaeological Museum and the Museum of Decorative Arts. Start in the basement in the Archaeology Museum and see displays of artifacts from the Neolithic period up to the 9th century. Highlights include Bronze and Iron Age burial remains, Roman legion pieces and Merovingian jewelry. Then proceed to the first floor for the Fine Arts Museum, which houses works by 14th to 19th century French, Italian, Flemish, Dutch and Spanish artists. Canvases displayed include those by Raphaël, Giotto, Botticelli, Greco, Goya, Delacroix, Van Dyck and Rubens. Finally, visit the Decorative Arts Museum, a set of ornate state rooms where cardinals lived in the 18th century. Its collections include the famous faience Hannong ceramics, exquisite silverware, furniture, sculpture and lavish gold work.

Afternoon

Designed by architect Adrien Fainsilber, Strasbourg’s Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (Musée d'Art Moderne et Contemporain) is a large, modern and controversial building, set on the edge of the River Ill. Arrive in time for lunch on the terrace at the Museum’s café and take in the magnificent view over the river and towards the Petite France district. Then make your way through the temporary exhibitions which feature emerging artists and more avant garde installations. The permanent collection is also worth a visit, with works spanning the period from 1870 to 1960 and artistic movements including Impressionism, Post-impressionism, Symbolism, Art Nouveau, Fauvism, Expressionism and Surrealism. There are major galleries devoted to two local artists -- Gustave Doré and Hans Arp plus pieces by Monet, Picasso, Kandinsky, Kupka, Ernst and Brauner.

Evening

Spend your evening at a performance by the Strasbourg Symphony Orchestra, or take a box seat for an opera or ballet at the National Opera du Rhin.

Details:

Palais des Rohans (Rohan Palace)
-2 place du Château, 67000 Strasbourg
-Tel. +33/3-8852-5000
-Open Wednesday to Monday 10am to 6pm
-Entry: €6 for all three museums

Musée d'Art Moderne et Contemporain de Strasbourg
-1 place Jean Hans Arp, 67000 Strasbourg
-Tel. +33/3-8823-3131
-Open Tuesday to Sunday (Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays 12pm to 7 pm,
Thursdays 12pm to 9 pm, Saturdays and Sundays 10 am to 6 pm)
Entry: €5

For €11.40 per adult and €5.70 for children, the Strasbourg Pass gives free entry to all monuments, museums and not-to-be-missed tourist sites in the city for three days

Opéra National du Rhin
-19, place Broglie, 67000 Strasbourg
-Tel. +33/3-8875-4823

Journey Time: 2hr20
Frequency: 20
Departure Station: Paris Est
Arrival Station: Strasbourg
Prices From: 46 (Economy) to 207 (Premier / Comfort Flexi)
(prices subject to change)

Uselful Links:

• http://www.musees-strasbourg.org
• http://www.opera-national-du-rhin.com

Book this Trip

Back