Les Ponts Couverts and other Strasbourg, France Things to Do Tips

Les Ponts Couverts

by JLBG , 2 more photos

The Ponts Couverts (covered Bridges) were built from 1230 to 1250 on four arms of the Ill to protect the city. In the beginning, they were wooden bridges with a roof, protected by four square stone towers. Along the centuries, they were modified and built in stone. Finally, when the progresses of artillery made them useless as a protection of the city, the roofs were removed but the name remained.

Leave a Comment

Add to Your Trip Planner | Post a Question | Write a Tip

Visiting Strasbourg?

Read reviews about Strasbourg Hotels

Real Reviews from Real VirtualTourist Members.

Things To Do: Barrage Vauban

Tip Rating:

Written by JLBG

on Dec 20, 2006

Barrage Vauban

by JLBG , 1 more photos

The Barrage Vauban (Vauban dam) was built later, again as a protection against any attack of the city coming by the river. It is not really a dam but a building built across the river. Heavy iron gates could be lowered to forbid the passage of any boat on the Ill.

They can be visited and offer a nice view on the Petite France.

The first photo shows a typical building of Strasbourg, with several levels (two or three) of dormer windows. As the place was a swamp, no goods could be kept underground and they had to be kept in attics that had several levels. Until the 19th, the windows were not fitted with glasses for better air drying.

Leave a Comment

Add to Your Trip Planner | Post a Question | Write a Tip

Things To Do: Église Saint Pierre le Vieux from the Ill

Tip Rating:

Written by JLBG

on Dec 20, 2006

Église Saint Pierre le Vieux from

the Ill

Église Saint Pierre le Vieux (Church Saint Pierre the Old) is shown here from the Ill.

It should have been the first cathedral in the city, built along one of the main Roman streets, the Strata Superior. The present church was began to build in 1382. In 1529, it became a Protestant church. Louis XIV turned it back to the Catholics. In 1867 a second church was built, perpendicular to the first and was allotted to the Protestants.

If you enlarge the photo, you will see on the right one of the locks of the Ponts tournants (other tip)

Leave a Comment

Add to Your Trip Planner | Post a Question | Write a Tip

Things To Do: Église Saint Pierre le Vieux from the front

Tip Rating:

Written by JLBG

on Dec 20, 2006

Église Saint Pierre le Vieux

Actually Église Saint Pierre le Vieux is a double church. On the left, with a tower, the Catholic Church, built in 1529. On the right, the Protestant Church, built in 1867.

Next tip will give a closer look to the entrance of the Catholic Church.

Leave a Comment

Add to Your Trip Planner | Post a Question | Write a Tip

Things To Do: Église Saint Pierre le Vieux, entrance

Tip Rating:

Written by JLBG

on Dec 20, 2006

Église Saint Pierre le Vieux

by JLBG , 1 more photos

The entrance of the Catholic Church of Saint Pierre le Vieux is topped by three rows of sculptures.

On top a bearded bishop holds the keys of the city, framed by citizens, men and women on the left, and by priests and warriors on the right.

In the middle, several scenes from the crucifixion of Jesus.

In the bottom, several scenes of every days' life.

Leave a Comment

Add to Your Trip Planner | Post a Question | Write a Tip

Visiting Strasbourg?

Read reviews about Strasbourg Hotels

Real Reviews from Real VirtualTourist Members.

Things To Do: Decorated house

Tip Rating:

Written by JLBG

on Dec 20, 2006

Decorated house

On the small island in the middle of the Ponts Couverts, this beautiful house has been decorated on the occasion of the Marchés de Noël. On the right of the picture, you can see visitors to the Petite France hurrying for the visit. Many others are following!

Leave a Comment

Add to Your Trip Planner | Post a Question | Write a Tip

Things To Do: Quai de la Petite France

Tip Rating:

Written by JLBG

on Dec 20, 2006

Quai de la Petite France

On the Quai de la Petite France old half-timbered houses reflect on the waters of a rather still arm of the Ill river. The Petite France was the district with millers and tanners. It is now a highly praised (and visited !) part of Strasbourg. It is an absolute must see!

The whole old city, standing between two arms of the Ill river has been inscribed on the Unesco World Heritage list in December 1988 under the title "Strasbourg, large island". It includes the Gothic Cathedral, Saint Thomas church (XIIth - XVth), Saint-Pierre-le-Vieux (XIIth - XIVth), Saint-Pierre-le-Jeune (XIIIth - XVth), Saint-Etienne (XIIIth), the Musée de l'Oeuvre Notre-Dame, the Ponts Couverts, the Palais Rohan and the streets, alleys, quays, bridges, etc.

Leave a Comment

Add to Your Trip Planner | Post a Question | Write a Tip

Things To Do: Petite France, rue du Bain aux Plantes

Tip Rating:

Written by JLBG

on Dec 20, 2006

Petite France, rue du Bain aux

Plantes

by JLBG , 2 more photos

Rue du Bain aux Plantes (Plant Bath Street) bears a strange name that has actually nothing to do neither with plants nor with bath!. It was first called Glanzhof (something like shining yard), which was later miss-spelt into Pflanzhof (plants yard) and finally into Pflanzbad (plants bath). It seems that at one time there was a bath for women, which might explain why Pflanzhof became Pflanzbad. It is now the axis of the Petite France with several well-kept half-timbered houses

Leave a Comment

Add to Your Trip Planner | Post a Question | Write a Tip

Things To Do: Petite France, Maison des tanneurs

Tip Rating:

Written by JLBG

on Dec 20, 2006

Petite France, Maison des tanneurs

from the Ill

by JLBG , 3 more photos

The Maison des Tanneurs is one of the most beautiful half-timbered houses of the Petite France district. One side is overlooking the Ill river (first and second photo) with an oriel (bow window); The other side is standing on the Rue du Bain aux Plantes. It has been a restaurant since 1572! They serve excellent "choucroute".

Leave a Comment

Add to Your Trip Planner | Post a Question | Write a Tip

Things To Do: Groups with a guide

Tip Rating:

Written by JLBG

on Dec 20, 2006

Group with a guide!