How do I get to Parc de l’Orangerie?

Access by streetcar, bus and Vel’hop

The Parc de l’Orangerie is located in the north-east of the Alsatian capital, in the middle-class district that bears the same name, l’Orangerie. Bordered on one side by the River Ill, it is also the proud neighbor of the Council of Europe.

To get there, you can take the streetcar (Line E, Droits de l’Homme stop), but don’t forget to hop on a Vel’hop – I really recommend the bike ride. From the city center, take the Mullenheim quay, then continue the tour to the Wacken district, where you’ll see the European Parliament and the headquarters of the Arte TV channel.

Don’t miss: the Russian Orthodox Church

If you start out on the Neudorf/Esplanade side of town, take the cycle path along the Quai des Belges and Rue du Général Conrad, where you’ll find a really pleasant ride. Along the way, you’ll have the opportunity to stop (and even visit) a rather unusual building.

With its white façade, ice-blue petal roofs and golden bulbs, the Russian Orthodox Church (Church of All Saints) doesn’t go unnoticed. This astonishing place of worship adjoins the Parc de l’Orangerie.

The interior is just as flamboyant: look up to admire the central dome. Combine your visit with lunch at the excellent Slavonic restaurant Dostoyevsky: a change of scenery is guaranteed, and there’s always room to spare.

What to do in the Parc de l’Orangerie? Leisure and activities

Whether you’re a sports fan, a family looking for entertainment or a couple in search of romance, the Parc de l’Orangerie offers a thousand and one faces. Here’s how to make the most of its 26 hectares.

Observing animals: from storks to the Micado project

It’s the soul of the park: the storks. Strasbourg wouldn’t be quite the same without them, and the Orangerie is their headquarters: many of them have set up their nests here.

The spectacle is magical during the breeding season (March-April), when they crackle noisily overhead. From late April/early May, you may also have the opportunity to see storks in their nests, which is a delightful sight.

The animal park underwent a minor revolution in 2026. The former mini-farm gave way to Micado (Maison d’initiation au comportement animal), a facility managed by the Ethosph’R association.

• A peaceful retirement: The new residents (mini-pigs, rabbits, guinea pigs and chickens) are “rehabilitated” animals from scientific laboratories.
• Observe without touching: here, respect is the watchword. Unlike a traditional educational farm, you don’t come in to pet the animals, but to learn how to decipher their behavior (ethology).
• How do I get there? Please note that there are no longer any self-guided tours. The site is accessible for educational workshops or during special times (generally the 1st Sunday and 3rd Wednesday of the month), by reservation via the sortiesnature.org website.

Please note: The former zoo continues its transformation to become, by 2028, a care center for injured wildlife. The Parc de l’Orangerie thus confirms its commitment to animal protection and education.

Family fun: vintage cars and playgrounds

L’Orangerie is children’s paradise (and parents’ salvation!). The park is dotted with play areas for all ages, but the undisputed star is the vintage car circuit. It’s a veritable local institution: what Strasbourg resident doesn’t have childhood memories of driving these little cars?

For a quieter break, head for the book shack at the entrance to the park (on the corner of Boulevard de l’Orangerie and Rue François-Xavier Richter). Open during the summer months, it offers a multilingual selection of books, perfect for finding a story to read in the shade of a plane tree without getting too crowded.

If the clouds are rolling in, or your teenagers are crying out for a bit of action, the new BAD Bowl complex is the ideal refuge. With bowling lanes (accessible to children), pool tables and an arcade, it’s guaranteed to save the afternoon if the rain comes!

Relaxation and sport: canoeing, picnicking and lounging

For sports enthusiasts, the Parc de l’Orangerie is an exceptional playground. It’s a haven for runners, who flock here for lunch breaks or evenings out. There are also yoga and qi-gong enthusiasts, and even slackliners testing their balance between two trees. In summer, the town often offers free sports activities (Zumba, stretching, etc.).

But the Orangerie is also about taking your time:

• The place to be for picnics: With its vast lawns, it’s the ideal place to set down your tablecloth with family or friends. We come here to enjoy the fresh air, read a book in the shade of the hundred-year-old trees or simply “bubble” in the grass.
• Pétanque and ping-pong: To extend the afternoon, get out your boules or rackets! You’ll find dedicated areas for a game of pétanque or ping-pong (just remember to bring your own equipment).
• The lake and its canoes: This is the classic “date” par excellence. Renting a rowboat to row to the foot of the waterfall is a must if you want to admire the Josephine Pavilion from the water.
• Le Temple d’Amour: This little wooden kiosk at the entrance to the park is a favorite spot for bridal photo shoots… or for a discreet kiss under the bower.

BAD Bowl: the revival of the legendary Orangerie bowling alley

The Orangerie bowling alley has been given a facelift under a new name: BAD Bowl (a nod to the first names of the manager’s children, Brice, Arnaud and David). Gone is the outdated building, replaced by a modern showcase that gives the park a boost in both summer and winter.

Whether you’re a strike pro or a weekend warrior, here’s what’s in store for you:

• 32 bowling lanes: a state-of-the-art facility capable of hosting international competitions.
• Games area: If you’re not into bowling, you can opt for the billiards room or the arcade.

Where to eat in the park? Gourmet addresses

At the Orangerie, the digestive stroll has never been more aptly named. Whether you’re looking for a prestigious table or a sweet treat to nibble on a bench, the park has something to satisfy every appetite.

Gastronomy: the Buerehiesel starred institution

If you want to make your mark, this is the place to stop. Nestled in this magnificent 17th-century half-timbered house (moved piece by piece from Molsheim, remember!), the Buerehiesel is a Michelin-starred restaurant run by the Westermann family. The cuisine is top-notch, and honors Alsace’s terroir with elegance. The setting, with its large glass roof overlooking the greenery, is simply magical for a special occasion.

On the go: Glacier Franchi and the new bowling alley restaurant

It’s impossible to talk about the Parc de l’Orangerie without mentioning the Franchi artisanal ice cream parlour. It’s the sacred ritual of every self-respecting Strasbourgeois!

• In summer: we queue up for their artisanal ice creams. You’ll see their van on Boulevard de l’Orangerie, but they’ve also set up shop on the corner of Avenue de l’Europe.
• In winter: the van gives way to the locomotive, which changes its menu and offers hot chestnuts that light up the aisles.

As an added bonus, the BAD Bowl offers a more casual dining experience, ideal for lunch after a game of bowling or a drink on the terrace overlooking the canoes. It’s a great option for families looking for a lively, accessible venue.

Heritage and Culture: the secrets of the alleys

A short history of an imperial garden

The genesis of the Parc de l’Orangerie is still the subject of much speculation. Although it began as a simple promenade of lime trees, its design is often attributed to André Le Nôtre (1692). The park retains the heritage of the French garden: a perfect symmetry that can still be discerned when strolling along the Allée des Platanes or the Allée Joséphine.

The secret of the name: orange trees and an Empress

But where does the name “Orangerie” come from? It all began in 1807 with the construction of the Pavillon Joséphine. This building provided winter shelter for 138 orange trees rescued from the Revolution. Its name is a tribute to Empress Joséphine de Beauharnais, Napoleon’s wife, who enjoyed her stays in Strasbourg. Although the orange trees tragically disappeared in a fire in 1968, the pavilion was rebuilt identically and remains the emblem of the park.

A stylistic tug-of-war

The history of the Orangerie park is also that of a radical change of look:

• 1830: The park turns its nose up at French rigor and adopts the British style. The pathways become winding and deliberately “disorganized” for a more romantic feel.
• 1895: During the Industrial Exhibition, the park takes on its current configuration. At the instigation of the German authorities, it doubled in size, gaining its own lake, waterfall and famous half-timbered farmhouse: the Buerehiesel.

Did you know?

The historic 1607 mansion that houses the Buerehiesel is not from Strasbourg! It was bought in Molsheim, then dismantled and reassembled piece by piece in the park for the Exhibition. Today, it houses one of the city’s most renowned gourmet restaurants.

Architectural treasures and sculptures to discover

The Parc de l’Orangerie is a veritable open-air museum, where different eras mingle. As you wander along its paths, you’ll come face to face with surprising buildings and works of art steeped in history.

A varied built heritage

From ancient classicism to half-timbered houses, l’Orangerie surprises with its architectural diversity:

• Le Pavillon d’Octroi: A small ancient temple nestled opposite the Council of Europe.
• Le Monoptère: A charming wooden kiosk with a romantic allure.
• La Cabane des Pêcheurs: Situated by the lake, this is one of the last vestiges of the 1895 Industrial Exhibition.
• Pavillon Joséphine: Now used for receptions and exhibitions, it remains the centerpiece of the park’s heritage.

Works in bronze and stone

The park also conceals a number of sculptural nuggets that it sometimes plays at hiding:

• The Gänseliesel (Goose Mink): Created by Albert Schultz in 1898, this is the park’s doyenne.
• Hercules striking down the lion: A powerful work by Alfred Marzolff (1905) that leaves no one indifferent.
• Les amours du poète: Just behind the pavilion, this more contemporary sculpture (1994) by Jean Claus adds a touch of mystery with its drapery and angel heads.

The lake: the backbone of the park

We can’t leave the Orangerie without mentioning its ponds and artificial fountain. This is where the park becomes spectacular: the water flows via a canal, over a stone terrace and into the lake in a majestic cascade. A rock grotto and a footbridge separate the two bodies of water, making this one of Strasbourg’s most photographed spots.

My guide to Strasbourg

Plan an unforgettable stay in Strasbourg and the surrounding area without wasting any time, thanks to my guide ! You’ll find the best places to visit, activities not to be missed and the best addresses! The guide is only avaliable in FRENCH for the moment.

> Click here