11 Unusual Date Ideas To Try In Strasbourg

There are so many fun and interesting things to see and do in Strasbourg as a couple that it’s easy to stay within the tried and tested tourist sites. If you’re looking for something a little less ordinary, these ideas can get you started.

Photo safari

Concerted conservation efforts have made it possible for storks to make a comeback in France after their numbers had dropped significantly in the ’60s. Nowadays these beautiful birds – symbols of fertility and good fortune – perch their huge nests all over the place. A particularly good spot to see them is the scenic Parc de l’Orangerie.

Ride a tandem

Strasbourg is a bike-friendly city as it’s almost completely flat and has well-marked bike paths. A great way to see the old city and the beautiful parks and sites is to rent a bike – and since you are travelling à deux, why not rent a tandem? The Vélhop bike share system has pick-up and drop-off stations all around the city and has a handy online reservation system, but there are many rental shops with original and vintage bikes to make your ride even more fun.

Immersion in chocolate

Chances are either you or your beloved – or both of you – are chocolate lovers. Visit the Museé du Chocolat to learn about the preparation and history of this delicious treat, and enjoy a tasting. Afterwards, of course, buy your date a lovely edible gift from the boutique.

Lover's voodoo

Strasbourg is the unexpected home of the largest private collection of West African Voodooin the world. Château Vodou, located downtown, presents intriguing and eerie objects of worship, divination, and witchcraft. Nothing spices up a date like a tiny dose of frisson.

Dine on the Orient Express

Restaurant

Those who love vintage styling will adore this spot. The restaurant Les Secret des Grands Express is set up inside an original Orient Express railway carriage. Keep in mind to book ahead, as this train’s tables tend to sell out quickly.

Cook up a shared memory

Preparing food together is a great way to get to know each other’s tastes and preferences. Take a cooking class with professional chefs, such as the one offered at The Hôtel Suisse near the Cathedral, which hosts a pastry workshop offered at the School of Pastry-making, headed by virtuoso Chef Christophe Felder, former-pastry chef at the Hôtel de Crillon, Paris. You can also try L’ateliers des Chefs, where you can pick the theme or regional flavour of your menu. You’ll learn new skills, take great photos and above all make a lovely shared memory together.

Chase the sunset

Cathedral

Trek up the 332 steps leading to the Cathedral’s viewing platform about an hour before sunset to catch the best view in the city. You can sneak in your own mini-champagne bottle and flutes to offer a special toast to Strasbourg and the master builders who brought such a majestic place to life. The platform is open daily until 7.15pm, April to September, and until 5.15pm from October to March.

Run a Barathon

Strasbourg is known for its beer and great watering holes, and locals have taken it a step further by turning the bar-crawl into an (unofficial) Olympic sport. Download theBarathon Schloukapp (boire un schlouk is Alsatian for ‘having a drink’) and you’ll get the best itinerary. Find the best pubs and bars handpicked by the Shlouk team, the best happy hours in real time, and even enter to win prizes if you’re attending during an official Barathon event.

Sleep inside a piece of art

Hotel

The Graffalgar Hotel is like no other. It’s set in a converted classical hotel and is a portal to the young and thriving contemporary art scene in Strasbourg, where artists have been given carte blanche to decorate each room as they see artistically fit. Their imagination is the limit and the result is simply jaw-dropping and entirely singular.

Have a picnic in two countries

Forest

One of the most beautiful parks in Strasbourg is the perfect setting for an international picnic.As a symbol of Franco-German friendship, Strasbourg and the German town of Kehl built the Jardin des Deux Rives, a garden spanning the two banks of the river, linked by a stunning footbridge. On the German side, a viewing perch offers a panorama of Strasbourg, the Vosges and the Black Forest.

Eclectic encounters

If you’re simply looking for a unique place to have a drink and encounter creative energy, then La PopArtiserie is for you. While you’re there, ask about the ever-changing calendar of events they host, as there are concerts, both pro and amateur, exhibitions and art performances.