About this experience
I invite you to walk through the most vibrant and significant places in Strasbourg, without overloading yourself with dates and facts (unless you ask me to) - instead, I will tell you interesting urban stories and legends from different eras. You will journey into the past of Strasbourg following the footsteps of ordinary and extraordinary people who walked these same ancient streets. And then, you will find yourself in the charming Petite France - a district with beautiful half-timbered houses and an intriguing history.
What to expect
Medieval legends of the Old Town
Our walk will start in the heart of the old town - at the Cathedral Square, where life was bustling during the Middle Ages. You will discover curious stories about the cathedral and hear the ominous legend of Strasbourg's underground lake and its dark inhabitants. I will tell you about the pharmacy 'At the Deer', where even Goethe visited, and a medieval gadget used to test the professional aptitude of officials. You will stroll to the riverside, where the old customs house stands, and learn about the role this place played in the medieval life of Strasbourg. Right next to it, you will admire the Raven Bridge, where the most humane judgment in the empire was passed!
Strasbourg in stories and faces
Through the Gutenberg and Kleber squares, we will head to Petite France. Along the way, you will learn about interesting figures who once walked these same streets. I will tell anecdotal stories about the first book printer in Europe, about Napoleon and his general, about famous writers and poets - not only German and French, but also Russian: Karamzin, Tyutchev, and Kuechelbecker.
Gingerbread houses of Petite France
The atmospheric streets of Petite France will charm you with their cozy half-timbered houses - it is hard to imagine that until recently, the locals tried to avoid this charming area, and I will tell you why. We will walk through the quarter, where you will admire the unique architecture and appreciate the ingenuity of military engineer Sebastien Le Prestre de Vauban.
