The Most Beautiful Parks In Strasbourg

Parc de l’Orangerie, located in the European quarter, right opposite the European Parliament, is Strasbourg’s oldest public park. With a surface of over 26 hectares, the park is especially popular amongst locals and invites its visitors to jogging, Sunday strolls and relaxation in the sun. The park also has a small farm and zoo, where the stork, threatened by extinction, was successfully reintroduced to the region’s natural environment. In addition to this, Parc de l’Orangerie features a beautiful lake with a romantic waterfall, as well as Pavillion Joséphine, which is home to numerous exhibitions and temporary events throughout the year. Allee de la Robertsau, Strasbourg, France © Pil/Flickr

The Citadelle Park, designed by local architect Vauban in 1681, was primarily intended to defend the Rhine Bridge after the surrender of Strasbourg at the time. Today, the park, which is spread out over 12 hectares, highlights both the beautiful flora and fauna of the region and invites guests to admire the impressive architecture of the citadelle. There is also a water playground, called Oasis, and sports fields in the park. Moreover, since 2009, the Citadelle Park is the site of a musical and cultural festival that takes place every year in early September.

The Jardinet Gothique du musée de l’Oeuvre Notre-Dame is a charming little garden in front of the museum that was first designed in 1937. Inspired by medieval traditions, the garden has a Gothic style and is home to an impressive collection of ancient plants, taking the form of nine squares, and a very rich herb garden. The garden invites guests to rest and relax for a little while after a cultural visit to the Musée de l’Oeuvre Notre-Dame, which showcases fascinating artefacts of the cathedral. 3 Place du Chateau, Strasbourg, France Strasbourg | © Stephen Colebourne/Flickr

The Botanical Gardens, located within Strasbourg’s main university campus, is home to nearly 6,000 exotic and indigenous plant species. It is used by students and university staff for research and observation; however, it is also open to the public every day. The romantic pond and the magnificent trees surrounding it, invites visitors to relax in the sun and to admire the beautiful nature surrounding them. The Botanic Gardens include an arboretum, ecological beds and, most notably, a two-storey tropical greenhouse that is the destination of many researchers. The gardens also propose events on a regular basis, which are especially worth a visit on long summer nights. 28 Rue Goethe, Strasbourg, France

Pourtalès Park is named after the famous Countess Mélanie de Pourtalès, who was an integral part of European high society at the time and is said to have been a close friend of Napoleon III. The park is designed in an English style around the Pourtalès Castle with vast lawns, neatly trimmed bushes and romantic rose flower beds. The impressive works of art by contemporary artists, that are scattered in the park, not only give the park a special character but also form an additional highlight to explore for visitors. 161 Rue Mélanie, Strasbourg, France Chateau de Pourtalès | © Aurélien Ebel/Flickr By Sophia Karner