After traveling in France for a while, you've seen a lot of cathedrals. They are wonderful amazing buildings, such as Notre-Dame de Paris, the Cathédrale de Reims, or the Cathédrale Notre-Dame in Rouen, often painted by Monet.

But the Strasbourg Cathedral stands out, for its unique and delicate structure and its distinctive red sandstone. With its soaring spire, it was the tallest building in the world from 1647 to 1874.

The building is covered in exquisite carvings and statues. The central door depicts the passion of Christ, while the left (north) door shows virtues overcoming vices, and the right door presents the "wise virgins" and the "foolish virgins." Over the years some of these have been replaced, and the originals can be seen at the nearby Musée de l'Oeuvre Notre-Dame.

Higher up, various kings are shown on horseback, and they seem to be riding right out of their perches. There are several pairs of these, visible from different angles.

The rose window, visible over the central door, is impressive from the outside, but stunningly beautiful when seen from the inside. More...

The cathedral is also known for its lovely stained glass windows, many of which date from the 13th and 14th centuries. The Great Organ, a so-called "swallow's nest" construction, overlooks the nave.

Also inside is the Astronomical Clock, renovated in the 19th century. Visitors can see it in action daily. More...

The cathedral has a single spire, but it makes up for this by the tremendous height and grace of the tower: 132 meters (433 feet) high, plus the 10 meter (33 foot) point. The spire is visible for miles around and is a symbol of the city of Strasbourg.

Visitors can climb up to a viewing platform at the top of the cathedral (below the spire) and enjoy lovely views of the city. More...

The cathedral was built over a period of four centuries, from 1015 to 1439. It is considered an excellent example of late Gothic architecture.

The parvis, or area in front of the cathedral, is the heart of Strasbourg. During the daytime it is packed with people, both locals and tourists who have come to admire this beautiful building. A number of restaurants, hotels, and shops can be found on the Place de la Cathédrale and the nearby Rue du Maroquin. In good weather, street musicians join in to make it even more lively.

Also on the Place de la Cathédrale is La Maison Kammerzell, dating from the 15th and 16th centuries. Next door to it is the Tourist Information Office, and just around the corner is the lovely Palais Rohan, which now houses several museums. More...

The Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Strasbourg is a jewel that should not be missed. We found ourselves drawn back to it each day we were in Strasbourg, always finding something else to discover and admire.

Note: The Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Strasbourg is closed to visitors from about 11:20 AM - 12:35 PM Monday through Saturday. A separate admission (2€) allows you to observe the astronomical clock during this time.) More...

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