My opinion of the visit to Strasbourg Cathedral

The history of Strasbourg’s Notre-Dame Cathedral: a thousand-year challenge

The Cathedral of Notre-Dame de Strasbourg was founded in 1015 on the remains of a Carolingian cathedral, by the Bishop of Strasbourg Werner of Habsburg and Emperor Henry II. Its foundations (unique in the world), to be precisely on the place where the first Christians had prayed, were laid on a water table and required years of work and a specific ancient technique to be stabilized.

The Cathedral was destroyed in a fire in 1176 and the new one was built in 1220, on the old foundations and in a gothic style. It is unique for its single steeple, topped by a spire some 142m high (making it the world’s tallest building until the 19th century) and completed in 1439. Its construction took more than three centuries and assumptions about its unique bell tower are varied.

With the Reformation, the Cathedral was devolved to Protestant worship in the early 16th century. A disputed seat until the concordat of 1801, it is now exclusively dedicated to the Roman Catholic cult. However, its history remains troubled in the 20th century, with two world wars, bombings, a fire and the threat of the tower collapsing due to the water table.

What to see at Strasbourg Cathedral (Exterior and interior)

Strasbourg Cathedral has an infinite number of things to admire, both inside and out. Follow our guide to make sure you don’t miss out on any of the nuggets of this“Prodigy of the gigantic and the delicate“, as Victor Hugo called it.

The façade and spire: a masterpiece of pink sandstone

Even before you enter the gates, take time to contemplate this incredible Vosges pink sandstone façade. Its color changes with the light of day, from pale pink to blazing red at sunset.

It’s a veritable “lace of stone”: the thousands of sculptures and portals depict biblical scenes with surgical precision. Admire the frontispiece, wildly modern for its time, and the large rose window that seems to radiate above the entrance.

Finally, look up at the 142-metre spire: a feat of engineering unheard of in the Middle Ages, which ensured that Notre Dame de Strasbourg remained the world’s tallest cathedral until the 19th century.

The nave, the great organ and medieval stained glass windows

Onceinside Strasbourg Cathedral, visitors are immediately struck by its Gothic elevation. You’ll be able to admire many remarkable works of art as you wander around:

• The stained glass windows: dating from the 12th to 15th centuries, they form one of the most complete ensembles in France. The light that shines through them creates a unique mystical atmosphere.
• The monumental Great Organ: recognizable by its richly decorated “swallow’s nest” case, it is quite simply spectacular.
• The Gothic pulpit: A piece of stonework sculpted by Hans Hammer, of absolute finesse.
• The Baroque altar: Located in the Saint-Laurent chapel, it adds a touch of contrasting elegance to the ensemble.

The crypt: a journey to the origins

Don’t leave without visiting the crypt of Strasbourg Cathedral. This is the oldest part of today’s cathedral, a vestige of the Romanesque edifice founded in 1015. It’s a quiet place steeped in history, where you can better understand how the monument has evolved over the centuries.

The Astronomical Clock: the genius of the Renaissance

A masterpiece of precision and history

One of the great sights of Strasbourg Cathedral is its astronomical clock, which has a worldwide reputation and is undoubtedly one of the highlights of your visit to the cathedral.

This Renaissance masterpiece is fascinating for its complexity and precision: it’s the fruit of collaboration between artists, mathematicians, watchmakers, sculptors, painters and automaton designers. Its current mechanism dates from 1842. It is very impressive when the automatons (representing the four ages of life) come to life!

It can be viewed freely during a visit to the cathedral, but can only be seen in motion once a day during the Parade of the Apostles.

The Apostles’ Parade show (12:30 pm)

The Parade of the Apostles, during which you can watch the complete play of the automatons, takes place every day at 12:30 pm sharp.

Before that, at 12:00, the presentation of the astronomical clock takes place, which consists of the projection of a film about the clock and its history. I strongly advise you to attend this presentation of the clock before attending its animation, because you will be able to understand much better what you will observe. I recommend you to enter a little bit in advance because the film starts at 12 o’clock precisely and it is often crowded.

Please note that this projection does not take place on Sundays or holidays when a mass is celebrated at 11:00 am (but access to the clock is then free after the 11:00 am mass).

How to buy tickets for the Astronomical Clock?

You must purchase a special ticket to attend the presentation of the clock and the Parade of the Apostles. These cannot be purchased in advance but only on the day:

• Until 11am: at the stalls of Strasbourg’s Notre-Dame Cathedral;
• From 11:30 am: at the Place Saint-Michel entrance (access via Place du Château)

Climb the cathedral platform: Strasbourg at your feet

The platform: a 360° panoramic view

332 steps and, as a reward, a 360° view of Strasbourg, the Vosges and the Black Forest. The climb to the platform of the Strasbourg cathedral is a must-see, to be done and done again!

It begins in the guards’ lodge, which is accessible from the cathedral, on the Castle Square side. There are three other platforms, but they are not accessible to the public.

Please note that access to the platform may be temporarily closed due to unfavorable weather conditions or a large number of people (100 people maximum).

Climb the 332 steps of the cathedral tower

I really advise you to take your time for the climb. The ascent is done by a spiral staircase, within a turret with regular openings on the outside. This offers splendid views of the buttresses, roofs and sculptures of the cathedral. You won’t be able to admire these details from as close as the top of the platform.

I have alreadyclimbed the platform of the cathedral of Strasbourg with people who are subject to a slight vertigo. It went well because both the stairs and the platform are well secured. However, if your vertigo is more important, it may not be a good idea… It is also better to be in good physical condition.

The Guardian House and the squirrel wheel

Once the 332 steps are climbed, we arrive in the guards’ house. This small building was built in 1782 to monitor the city and to intervene quickly in case of fire. From now on, an exhibition will allow you to discover the history of the cathedral of Strasbourg and of the city.

One can also observe the “squirrel wheel”, a winch dating from the 15th century intended to bring up the materials necessary for the construction of the cathedral. And the mechanism of a clock designed by Jean-Baptiste Schwilgué, author of the third astronomical clock, located in the heart of the cathedral.

At the summit: a breathtaking panorama and a journey back in time

Then go out on the platform to enjoy the breathtaking view of the roofs of Strasbourg, which we overlook at 66 meters high. 12 eyelets point out Strasbourg’s remarkable districts and buildings, such as Petite France, the European Parliament, the Russian Orthodox Church and St. Thomas Church. In good weather, it is even possible to see far beyond the city with a beautiful panorama of the Vosges and the Black Forest. A breathtaking view!

Don’t forget to look up to admire the 142-meter high spire of the cathedral as well as the tower of the transept crossing and the copper roof of the cathedral. With a little luck and attention, you will also see peregrine falcons or kestrels, titmice, hawks, swifts or passerines. The cathedral is home or hunting ground for many birds! However, no storks nearby: they nest in the Orangery park 🙂

How about a trip back in time? There is a free application, VR Strasbourg Cathedral, to discover reconstructed views of Strasbourg in 1730 (east side) and in 1490 (west side) and follow the evolution of the city over the centuries through 3D reconstructions. Finally, the observation table shows the public the direction of several major world cities.

The descent is also made via the spiral staircase of another turret, on the north side of the cathedral this time. Here again, it is worth stopping regularly to admire the city, the buildings and the cathedral in a different light.

Prices and access to Strasbourg Cathedral Tower

You need to buy a special ticket to climb the platform of Strasbourg’s Notre-Dame cathedral. The purchase is made directly at the foot of the tower before going up to the south by the Castle Square. The entrance fee is donated to the Fondation Oeuvre Notre-Dame.

This structure ensures the preservation and restoration of the cathedral of Strasbourg for more than 800 years. It has about thirty people specialized in stone cutting, sculpture, masonry, locksmithing, restoration or historical studies. This work is always done by hand, thus preserving a traditional know-how. The Fondation Oeuvre Notre-Dame is a unique case in France! Only a few cathedrals in Switzerland, Norway, Germany and Austria have dedicated workshops. I recommend that you visit the Foundation’s museum, a few steps from the cathedral.

FAQ : Everything you need to know to visit Strasbourg Cathedral