Strasbourg’s Best-Kept Secret: A Stroll Along the Picturesque River L’Ill

Strasbourg’s landscape is punctuated by the Ill River, which flows through the city and provides a beautiful backdrop to many sights. It’s a place of peace and tranquillity for locals, tourists, and visitors alike.

Strasbourg is the city of my heart; since I left this place, it has changed tremendously. It’s not just that bicycles and pedestrians are at the centre; they also got rid of cars in downtown Strasbourg! Whenever I visit my family in Alsace, I plan an early morning walk along the River l’Ill in Strasbourg.
A walk in Strasbourg always feels like a gift. I took the Ill Rive walk 100 times and always felt the same joy. The best is to find some time early in the morning to avoid the crowds, but beware of the bicycles 😂

In this blog post, you’ll be taking a walk along the l’Ill River with me for a city walk in Strasbourg that will start at Strasbourg Train station.

Strasbourg Train station to Place Benjamin Zix

From the station take the Rue du Maire Kuss and follow the river l’Ill trail towards Quai de Turkheim, in front of you will see the “barrage Vauban” also called the Great lock built by the admiral Vauban in the 17th century. The function of this lock was to protect the city by raising the river level in case of an attack. The building on the right of the great lock used a to be a prison for women, it was also a former convent, nowadays it’s the headquarter of the French school of administration (ENA).

Continue to walk towards the Pont Couvert Bridge, which has four towers erected in the 13th century to defend the city.

On the bridge, you will spot a gorgeous villa with an alleyway covered in Wisteria. The wisteria is usually in bloom during May. I invite you to walk down the river behind the restaurant l’Ami Schutz. This will give you a nice view over the half-timbered houses opposite and the restaurant au petit bois vert.

Walking along the river, spot the beautiful half-timbered houses. This path will take you to the turning bridge called the Pont du Faisan, leading into the rue du Moulin. Continue walking along that street and turn right towards the square Benjamin Zix. This is a beautiful square to wander during summer and dine al fresco.

Strasbourg Petite-France

Place Benjamin Zix to the Cathedral

From the square, Benjamin Zix continues towards the lock. You are walking on the river; if you’re lucky, you will see a riverboat waiting for the water to level inside the lock. This will give you a beautiful viewpoint of the Maison des Tanneurs, one of Strasbourg’s most famous restaurants, to eat a choucroute. Continue walking along the river, where you will cross under the bridge Pont St Martin and spot another famous restaurant on your right called the Pont St Martin and the half-timbered houses next to it.

Strasbourg Quai des Bateliers

Spot the imposing French building in front of you, The Palais Rohan. You’re at the back of the Palais Rohan Museum. This museum was the former residence of the Rohan a noble french family from Brittany and was built in 1730. The palace has hosted a few French “celebs” like Louis XV, Marie-Antoinette, Napoleon and Josephine. The Cathedral is on the other side, but I invite you to walk along the river further. When you come out the of the back of the Palais, cross the bridge towards the Quai des Bateliers, but don’t forget to stop in the middle for a beautiful panorama over the river on the right towards the Pont du Corbeau and the left over the Passerelle de L’abreuvoir how many bicycles can you spot over the passerelle?

The Quai des Bateliers is now wholly pedestrian, and the waltz of bicycles makes it a typical sight. Continue along the Quai to cross the River again over the Pont St Guillaume. Stop on the bridge for a beautiful sight right and left of the river. Eglise St Paul on your right and Passerelle de l’Abreuvoir on your left. Continue walking along the river over the Quai St Etienne to the Pont St Etienne, where you will spot the Lycée International des Pontonniers Strasbourg, the very selective International school.

Walk back into rue de la Courtine towards place Ste Etienne and take the Rue des Frères, which will lead you to the Cathedrale. Don’t forget to stop en route at the Place du Marché Gayot, a very animated square and gorgeous outdoors, to dine or have lunch at Al Fresco.

Strasbourg Place du Marché Gayot

This will lead you to the most famous monument in Strasbourg, the Cathedral, entirely built in pink sandstone. The cathedral was a massive project launched in 1015 and completed 400 years later! Due to the fragility of the sandstone, the building is in constant repair. The building is one of the most famous examples of Rayonnant Gothic. You’re brave enough to visit the inside and walk up to the tower. Celebrate your walk with lunch or dinner at Strasbourg’s famous Maison Kammerzell, a well-preserved medieval building in Gothic architecture. The house was erected in 1427 and belongs to the German Renaissance style. Take the time to wander around the Cathedral building and the small streets that will take you back to medieval Strasbourg.

I have worked with Rachel multiple times. I love working with her she is very professional, always on time, stays positive, she is kind and patient. I would highly recommend Rachel for any photography needs you may have. We worked together in an outside shoot, a promotional business brand shoot, several lifestyle shoots and others. Thank you!