Strasbourg is an easy city for families. The centre is compact and mostly pedestrian, the trams are simple to use, and many of the best sights are about stories and spectacle rather than quiet contemplation. With a little planning, children of most ages will find plenty to enjoy, and parents can mix in the cultural highlights without long museum marathons.
The astronomical clock and the cathedral
Start with the cathedral, because the astronomical clock is a show children remember. At 12:30 each day its figures are set in motion, with the apostles filing past Christ and a cockerel crowing, and the interior is full of dials, planets and automata. Buy the ticket at the south portal in good time, as places are limited. Older children who can handle 330 steps may enjoy the climb to the platform, which gives them a view over the city, but there is no lift and no reservation, so go early and expect to queue on busy days.
A boat tour
A Batorama boat trip is an excellent first outing, because it is seated, gentle and covers a lot of ground. The covered, heated boats make it a good option in cold weather, and a children’s commentary is available in several languages. Passing through locks and under low bridges is an adventure in itself. Take a morning departure in busy periods, when afternoon boats fill up.
Parks and storks
The Orangerie park is the best place to let children run. It has wide lawns, playgrounds, a lake with boat rides in good weather and, in the warmer months, storks, the symbol of Alsace, which are often seen on the grass and in the trees. Combine it with the European Parliament, where the Parlamentarium Simone Veil has interactive screens and games that suit older children, and remember that those under 14 must be accompanied by an adult and everyone needs a valid identity document.
Museums that work for children
The Palais Rohan museums are best for older children who like archaeology and decorative arts, and they close on Tuesdays. For younger children, the sweetest day trip is to Colmar, where Choco Story explains the history of cocoa with an audio guide, a demonstration by a chocolate maker and a tasting, and the Toy Museum fills several floors with toys, trains and games from different eras. Both are close to Little Venice, where a short punt ride over the canal adds to the fun. The Toy Museum closes on Tuesdays, so plan around that.
A castle adventure
The Haut-Koenigsbourg castle is the sort of place children draw in their sketchbooks, with towers, a drawbridge, a great hall and ramparts to explore. It is best by car, about an hour from Strasbourg, and it is easy to add a short stop in a nearby village such as Riquewihr for a gingerbread or an ice cream. Check the opening days, as the castle closes on certain winter holidays.
The Christmas market with kids
The market is magical for children, with lights, gingerbread, carousels and the giant tree on Place Kléber, but it is also crowded, especially on weekends and in the evenings. Come in the afternoon on a weekday, keep strollers to a minimum, because the lanes are narrow and the cobbles uneven, and agree a meeting point in case you get separated. Colmar’s children’s market in Little Venice is smaller and calmer. Remember that the Grande Île is closed to cars during market hours, so plan how to reach your hotel with luggage and a tired child.
Games and trails
If your children enjoy puzzles, look for city treasure hunts and escape-game trails designed for families, which turn a walk through the old town into a quest. Some are in English, so check the language before you book.
Practical tips
Choose a hotel with space or a family room and a central location, such as the Hilton Strasbourg for room sizes and parking or the ibis near the station for a budget option. Breakfast is often charged separately, so check your rate. Many restaurants offer a children’s menu, and tarte flambée is a dependable hit with fussy eaters. Cobbles make strollers hard work, so a carrier can be easier, and keep walking distances short on winter days when children tire quickly. Finally, mix active days with quieter ones, and use the tram to save little legs.