Strasbourg Travel Guide

City Facts

Location

Department of Bas-Rhin (Lower Rhine), Alsace region, northeastern France.

Time Zone

GMT + 1 (GMT + 2 from last Sunday in March to last Sunday in October).

Electricity

220 volts AC, 50Hz; round two-pin plugs are standard.

Average January Temperatures

1°C (34°F).

Average July Temperatures

19°C (66°F).

Average Annual Rainfall

610mm (24 inches).

Language

Alsatians speak French and many speak German as well. Some speak English or Elsässisch (Alsatian) – a High German dialect, which exists only as an oral language. Versions vary from town to town and Strasbourg has its own dialect. In spite of frequent attempts to restrict or ban the language, Alsatian is still spoken, particularly by the older generation. Owing to space restrictions in this guide, however, only the French names and phrases are given. There is an increasing interest to reassert Alsatian, demonstrated by the decision in 1995 to place bilingual (French/Alsatian) street names in key points of the town. Hence, place de la Cathédrale is also known as ‘Muenschterplatz’ and rue de la Douane as ‘Kaufhusgass’. Owing to space limitations in this guide, however, addresses are given in French only. PhrasesFrench is given first with Alsatian in brackets Yes - Oui (Ya)No - Non (Ne)Hello - Bonjour (Bonjour)Goodbye - Au revoir (Au revoir)Please - S’il vous plaît (Wen’s belebt)Thank you - Merci (Merci)My name is … - Je m’appelle … (Ich heiss …)How are you? - Comment ça va? (Wie geht’s?)I’m very well - Ça va bien (Es geht (mir) gut)I feel ill - Je ne me sens pas bien (Es isch mir net gut)How much does it cost? - Combien est-ce que ça coûte? (Wie viel koscht’s)Do you speak English? - Est-ce que vous parlez anglais? (Redener Englisch?)I don’t understand - Je ne comprends pas (Ich versteh net)Where is …? - Où est …? (Wo isch …?)Entrance - Entrée (Ingang)Exit - Sortie (Usgang)Danger - Danger (Gefahr)Open - Ouvert (Offe)Closed - Fermé (Zu)Toilets - Toilettes (Toilet)Doctor - Docteur (Dokter)Hotel - Hôtel (Hotel)Restaurant - Restaurant (Restaurant)Beer - Bière (Beer)Wine - Vin (Win)Menu - Menu (Menu)Today - Aujourd’hui (Hit)Tomorrow - Demain (Morie)Monday - Lundi (Monda)Tuesday - Mardi (Diensda)Wednesday - Mercredi (Mitwoch)Thursday - Jeudi (Donnersda)Friday - Vendredi (Frida)Saturday - Samedi (Samsda)Sunday - Dimanche (Sonda)One - Un / Une (Eins)Two - Deux (Zwei)Three - Trois (Drei)Four - Quatre (Fer)Five - Cinq (Fenf) Six - Six (Sechs)Seven - Sept (Seve)Eight - Huit (Acht)Nine - Neuf (Nin)Ten - Dix (Zehn)Twenty - Vingt (Zwanzig)Thirty - Trente (Drissig)Forty - Quarante (Verzig)Fifty - Cinquante (Fufzig)Sixty - Soixante (Sachzig)Seventy - Soixante-dix (Sewezig)Eighty - Quatre-vingt (Achzig)Ninety - Quatre-vingt dix (Ninzig)One Hundred - Cent (Hundert)One Thousand - Mille (Tausig)

Cost of Living

Special Events

Salon des Vins des Vignerons Indépendants (Independent Winemakers Show)
February
Displaying Alsatian wines from the region's independent small producers, with opportunities to taste and buy.
Wacken Exhibition Hall
http://salonsdesvins.vigneron-independant.com

Carnaval de Strasbourg (Strasbourg Carnival)
March
Dozens of dazzling floats and thousands of entertainers join the big procession through Strasbourg's city center.

Festival International de Musique (International Music Festival),
June
Founded in 1932, this is now one of the leading festivals of classical music.
Palais de la Musique et des Congrès
www.festival-strasbourg.com

Jazz Festival de Strasbourg
June-July
A major music event attracting top international names from the world of jazz.
Palais de la Musique et des Congrès
www.festival-strasbourg.com

Festival Musica (Festival of Contemporary Music)
September-October
Contemporary music in all its forms, from orchestral and choral pieces to rock, jazz and multimedia creations.
Cité de la Musique et de la Danse, and other venues
www.festival-musica.org

Nuits Européennes (European Nights),
October
Celebrating Europe's cultural diversity, from Scandinavia to the Balkans, with a week of musical evenings.
Locations in and around Strasbourg
www.lesnuits.eu

Jazz d'Or
November
A vibrant festival of the best European, especially French, contemporary jazz - with important links to Germany.
22 rue Bain aux Plantes, 67000 Strasbourg
www.jazzdor.com

Christkindelsmärik (Christmas Market)
November-December
This famous, centuries-old Christmas market offers traditional seasonal fare, vin chaud (hot wine) and a huge array of gifts.
In and around place Broglie and city center squares