The cultural history of Strasbourg – one of France’s largest cities, and the capital of Alsace – is reflected in its mix of architectural styles. Medieval timber-framed dwellings in the touristy ‘Petite France’ quarter (see p83) denote a thousand-year link to the Germanic Holy Roman Empire, as does the Strasbourg cathedral: built between 1015 and 1439, it is considered an exceptional example of Gothic architecture. After the Thirty Years War, Louis XIV made Alsace part of the French kingdom, only for it to later change hands twice with Germany in the 19th and 20th centuries, which explains some impressive Wilhelmine buildings at Place de la République.
Such architectural variety matches a hodgepodge of the region’s vineyard
