11 Must-See Sights for an Unforgettable Few Hours in Strasbourg

3. La Petite France

Photo: Nikolai Karaneschev (CC BY 3.0)

La Petite France is one of Strasbourg’s most picturesque and historic districts, located in the southwestern part of La Grande Île. The charming canals of the Ill River which was once home to guilds of fishermen, boatmen, tanners, and millers. Cobbled streets and half-timbered houses date back to the late Middle Ages and the Renaissance.

You’ll see iconic places like the Pont du Faisan, covered bridges, and old defensive towers that were once part of the city’s fortifications. There are also boutiques, traditional winstubs, and history-rich restaurants like the famous Maison des Tanneurs and Au Pont Saint-Martin.

Benjamin Zix Square and the Ill Navigation Canal (photo: aillard Aurèle – CC BY-SA 3.0)

Plan to spend at least an hour wandering through this scenic area.