CURRENT POPULATION: 272,700
% POP GROWTH: -0.32 %
CITY AREA: 78 KM2

CITY DENSITY: 3,374 INH/KM2
GDP PER CAPITA: €20,780
DIALLING CODE: +33

ENTERTAINING A CLIENT
LA PETITE MAIRIE
8 RUE BRÛLÉE
TEL. 03 88 32 83 06
Tucked in a narrow street behind the 18th-century city hall, the ‘Little Town Hall’ is also a pun on the name of the owner, Marie Wagner, who has run this traditional Alsatian winstub since 1990. The menu isn’t restricted to the Alsace, though, and the daily specials often range far from that region. But the Alsatian-style ham in honey sauce is unforgettable. The restaurant’s clientele is fiercely loyal, and no wonder – by your third visit Marie will greet you with a two-cheek kiss and a recommendation of the day’s special.

WITH FRIENDS
CHEZ MICHEL DES MOULES ET DES FRITES
8 RUE D’AUSTERLITZ
TEL. 03 88 25 17 66
The specialty of the house is in the name – this is Strasbourg’s best restaurant for Belgian-style mussels and French fries. There are several variations of moules on the menu, plus a wide selection of other seafood dishes.

CLOSING THE DEAL
L’ATABLE77
77 GRAND RUE
TEL. 03 88 32 23 37
Located not far from Strasbourg’s Petite France neighbourhood, L’Atable77 serves traditional French cuisine in a hip and modern setting, which is attracting the patronage of the city’s younger connoisseurs. The menu is updated monthly to reflect the seasonally fresh ingredients used in the kitchen.

RELAX
LE TAPAS CAFÉ
16 RUE DU BAIN FINKWILLER
TEL. 03 88 24 57 30
Le Tapas Café is a tiny patch of Spain located just off the historic Grand Ile. As the name suggests, guests can enjoy a selection of fine tapas, washed down with a pitcher of sangria. The décor is rustic with battered wooden tables and Spanish-themed wall hangings.

STYLE
RAVEN CAFÉ
5 PLACE CORBEAU
TEL. 03 88 36 49 35
The Raven Café takes its name from the nearby Corbeau bridge, from which murderers were executed in the Middle Ages while the mob looked on. Today the crowd is more benign – the Raven Café has quickly established itself as Strasbourg’s see and be seen hotspot.

VALUE
CITÔTEL COUVENT DU FRANCISCAIN
18 RUE DU FAUBOURG DE PIERRE
TEL. 03 88 32 93 93
This former monastery has been welcoming guests since the 13th century. Traces of its heritage linger in the décor, but today the modern hotel is well equipped for business travellers with a seminar room for meetings.

BUSINESS
HOTEL LES ALIZES
RUE DES VOSGES, LIPSHEIM
TEL. 03 88 59 02 00
Located about 10km out of the city in the picturesque village of Lipsheim, this hotel is not far from Strasbourg’s airport and business parks. A 21st-century take on the traditional half-timbered farmhouse, the hotel boasts modern amenities including an indoor swimming pool, spa and meeting room.

BESPOKE
REGENT CONTADES
8 AVENUE DE LA LIBERTÉ
TEL. 03 88 15 05 05
The Contades is housed in one of Strasbourg’s more notable 19th century buildings. The atmosphere retains all of the luxury promised by its billing as a Belle Epoque hotel. The 47 rooms are air-conditioned, there’s an internet area, relaxation centre and the Regency Bar.

Alsace is renowned for the quality and variety of its beers, so it makes sense that Strasbourg is hosting its first World Beer Festival from 16-18 October (festivalmondialbiere.qc.ca). There you can sample hundreds of brewery creations in the exhibition hall in Wacken.

The long-running Festival Musica runs from 18 September to 3 October, attracting musicians from across Europe and America to perform in several of the city’s venues (www.festival-musica.org). Open-air experimental works vie with modern operas and dance.

Strasbourg is the most-bike friendly city in France, with hundreds of kilometres of dedicated cycle paths in the city connected to 8,000km of trails on both sides of the Rhine. Maps are available from the tourist offices, and cycles can be rented at the two city-sponsored Vélolocation shops (www.velocation.net).

La Marseillaise – the French national anthem – was first performed in 1792 on Strasbourg’s Place Broglie. The piece was commissioned by Frédéric de Dietrich, but the then-mayor’s talent spotting did him no favours in the Republic – he was guillotined the following year during the Reign of Terror.