Best of Grand Est

Grand Est Essentials

This selection spans the historic regions of Alsace, Champagne, and Lorraine, highlighting the architectural transition between French and Germanic influences. It includes the UNESCO-listed Notre-Dame Cathedral in Reims, where French kings were crowned, and the timber-framed heritage of Strasbourg’s Grande Île. The list also features the medieval Château du Haut-Koenigsbourg, the Baroque elegance of Nancy’s Place Stanislas, and the World War I memorial at the Douaumont Ossuary, providing a comprehensive overview of the region's diverse cultural and military history.

Grand Est Essentials — Map

A

Cathédrale Notre-Dame et Palais du Tau

A UNESCO World Heritage site where 33 kings of France were crowned. The 13th-century Gothic cathedral is paired with the neighboring Palais du Tau, which houses the cathedral's original treasury and stone statues.

Justus Blümer / CC BY 2.0

B

Cathedral of Our Lady

Historic Gothic cathedral known for its impressive architecture, towering height, and astronomical clock. It is a national monument and a significant religious and cultural landmark.

Martin Kucera / CC-BY-SA

C

Stanislas Square

The Place Stanislas is a large pedestrianised square in the French city of Nancy, in the Lorraine historic region.

Photo Claude TRUONG-NGOC / CC BY-SA 3.0

D

Grande île

The Grande Île is an island that lies at the historic centre of the city of Strasbourg in France.

Olivier / CC BY 2.0

E

Château du Haut-Koenigsbourg

The Château du Haut-Koenigsbourg, sometimes also Haut-Kœnigsbourg, is a medieval castle located in the commune of Orschwiller in the Bas…

Wladyslaw / CC-BY-SA-3.0

F

Unterlinden Museum

The Unterlinden Museum is located in Colmar, in the Alsace region of France.

Martin Kucera / CC-BY-SA

G

Metz Cathedral

Metz Cathedral is the cathedral of the Catholic Diocese of Metz, the seat of the bishops of Metz. It is dedicated to Saint Stephen.

Gzen92 / CC BY-SA 4.0

H

Petite Venice Pont Rue de Turenne

A scenic viewpoint in Colmar's Krutenau district, offering views of colorful timber-framed houses lining the Lauch River. This area historically served as the city's tanner and fishmonger quarter.

Alf van Beem / CC0

I

Douaumont Ossuary

The Douaumont Ossuary is a memorial containing the skeletal remains of soldiers who died on the battlefield during the Battle of Verdun in…

Jonathan Martz / CC BY-SA 3.0

J

Covered Bridges

The Ponts Couverts are a set of three bridges and four towers that make up a defensive work erected in the 13th century on the River Ill in…

Diliff / CC BY-SA 3.0

K

European Parliament

The city of Strasbourg in France is the official seat of the European Parliament.

Sami Mlouhi / CC BY-SA 4.0

L

Kammerzell House

The Kammerzell House is one of the most famous buildings of Strasbourg, France, and one of the most ornate and well-preserved medieval…

DXR / CC BY-SA 3.0

M

Abbey of Saint-Rémi

The Musée Saint-Remi is an archeology and art museum in Reims, France.

Sting / CC BY-SA 3.0

N

Maison Pfister

Built in 1537, this Renaissance-style house features an octagonal turret, a two-story wrap-around wooden gallery, and murals depicting biblical and secular scenes.

Other Lists

Editor's Choice Hidden Gems of Alsace Architectural Heritage Sites Museums & Art Galleries Castles and Fortresses Historic Religious Sites Architectural Highlights Parks and Scenic Spots