Geographical location
Strasbourg, the capital of the Alsace region and of the Bas-Rhin department, is located in the east of France, on the left bank of the Rhine River. Strasbourg is the seat of various European and international institutions, such as the Council of Europe, the European Parliament, the European Court of Human Rights and the European Ombudsman. Strasbourg thus fully plays its role as the "Capital of Europe".
Bordering Germany, Strasbourg has a markedly bicultural identity. Its rich, turbulent history has left a remarkable architectural heritage behind. Strasbourg has also become the emblem of Franco-German reconciliation.
The city centre, situated on the Grande Île ("Big Island"), has been classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1988. Must-see attractions are Notre Dame Cathedral, Kammerzell House, the Palais Rohan, Pont du Corbeau and Place du Corbeau, Gutenberg Square, the Covered Bridges, the County Hall, Place de l'Hôpital, the Historic Cellar of the Civil Hospice of Strasbourg and the Petite France quarter.
There are also numerous parks in Strasbourg - among them are Parc de l'Orangerie and Parc de la Citadelle.
La Meinau is Strasbourg's most southern district, delimited by the Rhin Tortu to the east, the Forest of Neuhof to the south, Schulmeister Park to the north and the Rhone-Rhine Canal to the west.
The Meinau district is served by three tram lines (Lines A, C and E) leading to the city centre.
Enjoy a walk or bike ride in the forest (just 200m from the cottage).
For children, there are two parks with play areas and a beach just 10 minutes on foot from the gîte.
Schulmeister Park
Refurbished in 2010, this park is what is left from a green area over more than 200 hectares which was part of the grounds of the castle built in 1807 by Charles Louis Schulmeister, a spy for Napoleon I.
Various footpaths under the shade of the large trees make strolling around the waterbody all the more enjoyable.
Play areas for children of all ages and plenty of benches make an ideal place for family outings.
This park is also a symbol of new types of green space management - with wild grass meadows and shortly-mown grass side by side.
Baggersee Beach
The body of water at Baggersee (artificial lake in an old gravel pit) is a white sand beach just 10 minutes away from Le Krimmeri which has a swimming area and play areas for the children. Another part of the waterbody is wilder and many kinds of waterfowl can be seen and admired there. It's a place not to be missed for those spending summer in Strasbourg and who want to enjoy themselves, relax or simply get a breath of fresh air.
Le Krimmeri... Here is a well that never runs dry!
