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🏙️ Towns & cities

Cities to visit in the Grand Est

Within a few dozen kilometres of one another, the Grand Est lines up strikingly different historic centres. Strasbourg combines its medieval Grande-Île with its German-built Neustadt, both World Heritage listed; Nancy offers 18th-century royal squares and Art Nouveau; Metz plays on the stone of its neighbourhoods and the stained glass of its cathedral; Reims keeps the cathedral where France’s kings were crowned. Further south, Troyes with its half-timbered houses, Langres on its fortified spur and Colmar with its canals complete a rare line-up.

For a successful city break, think about the calendar first: late November and December transform Strasbourg, Colmar and Nancy, but bring big crowds; spring and autumn make for more relaxed visits. Most of these cities can be explored on foot from the railway station, so you can combine two stops by train in a single day – Metz and Nancy, for example, or Reims and Épernay. Allow one to two days for the larger cities and half a day for Sélestat, Bar-le-Duc or Chaumont. Guided tour and cruise times: check the official websites.

What to do this month?

Pick a month: our seasonal ideas and a tip to make the most of it.

October: Lovely light and fewer visitors: a good time for Troyes, Langres or Verdun, and for Saint-Dié-des-Vosges before the Vosges winter.

Troyes — Medieval Old Town📍 Aube Langres📍 Haute-Marne Verdun📍 Meuse Saint-Dié-des-Vosges📍 Vosges

Map: Towns & cities in the Grand Est

Our tips

  • In December, book accommodation in Strasbourg and Colmar very early, or stay in a nearby town with a rail link; visit the Christmas markets on weekdays and in the morning to avoid the crowds.
  • Take the train: the centres of Strasbourg, Metz, Nancy, Reims and Troyes are within walking distance of the station, and parking in the historic centres is often limited.
  • Combine a guided tour with a cruise in Strasbourg: Batorama runs several routes on the River Ill, but some may be suspended depending on the time of year; check which landing stage is given for boarding.
  • Save the first Sunday of the month for Strasbourg’s municipal museums and Nancy’s Musée des Beaux-Arts (Fine Arts Museum), which are free that day – a good complement to walks around town.
  • In Langres, use the inclined lift linking the car park below to the upper town, then walk the full circuit of the ramparts.
  • Bring good shoes and a warm layer: cobbles, ramparts and quays are exposed to the wind, and the Grand Est’s continental winters can be cold and damp.

All places and activities: Towns & cities (18)

🏆Boat Trip in Colmar📍 Colmar · ActivityA flat-bottomed boat ride through “La Petite Venise”, gliding at water level past the flower-decked half-timbered houses of old Colmar. 🏆Boat Trip on the Ill in Strasbourg📍 Strasbourg · ActivityDiscover the Alsatian capital by boat: La Petite France, the Ponts Couverts, the imperial Neustadt and the European Quarter, along the River Ill. 🏆Colmar — La Petite Venise (Little Venice)📍 Haut-Rhin · PlaceFlower-decked canals and an old town at the heart of the vineyards. 🏆La Petite France, Strasbourg📍 Bas-Rhin · PlaceA quarter of half-timbered houses lining the River Ill. 🏆Langres📍 Haute-Marne · PlaceA town of art entirely encircled by ramparts, overlooking the Marne; birthplace of Diderot. 🏆Reims Tour, City of Coronations📍 Reims · ActivityNotre-Dame Cathedral, where the kings of France were crowned, the Basilica of Saint-Remi and the Art Deco centre of the Champagne city. 🏆Troyes — Medieval Old Town📍 Aube · PlaceA half-timbered centre and the historic capital of Champagne. 🏆Verdun📍 Meuse · PlaceA world capital of remembrance overlooking the Meuse, with medieval gates and a fortified centre. Bar-le-Duc📍 Meuse · PlaceFormer capital of the Dukes of Bar, a Renaissance gem with its well-preserved Ville-Haute (upper town). Chaumont📍 Haute-Marne · PlaceThe main town of Haute-Marne, famous for its railway viaduct with three tiers of arches. Épernay & the Avenue de Champagne📍 Épernay · ActivityThe capital of champagne on foot: the “most expensive avenue in the world” and its prestigious houses, above kilometres of cellars. Guided Tour of Metz📍 Metz · ActivityThe Moselle city on foot: Saint-Étienne Cathedral and its vast stained-glass windows, the German Imperial Quarter and the old town built of golden Jaumont stone. Guided Tour of Strasbourg📍 Strasbourg · ActivityThe cathedral, La Petite France and the quays: a journey through 2,000 years of history in the heart of the Alsatian capital. Medieval Troyes Tour📍 Troyes · ActivityA guided stroll through the former capital of Champagne: half-timbered lanes, hidden courtyards and Renaissance mansions, in a historic centre shaped like a champagne cork. Nancy & Art Nouveau Tour📍 Nancy · ActivityUNESCO-listed Place Stanislas, the old ducal town and the Art Nouveau gems of the École de Nancy, with a guide. Saint-Dié-des-Vosges📍 Vosges · PlaceThe “godmother of America” (the name America was coined here in 1507), a town rebuilt after the war. Saint-Dizier📍 Haute-Marne · PlaceA town of art and industry renowned for its Art Nouveau ornamental cast iron, on the doorstep of the Lac du Der. Sélestat📍 Bas-Rhin · PlaceA Town of Art and History, famous for its Humanist Library (UNESCO Memory of the World).

Frequently asked questions

Which city should I visit first in the Grand Est?

For a first visit, Strasbourg is the most complete, with the Grande-Île and the Neustadt both World Heritage listed. If you prefer classical architecture and Art Nouveau, choose Nancy; for Gothic architecture and royal history, Reims. Metz and Nancy, close together and linked by train, are easy to combine.

When does the Strasbourg Christmas Market open in 2026?

Strasbourg Tourist Office announces that the chalets and illuminations open from 27 November 2026. December weekends are the busiest: come on a weekday if you can and book your accommodation well in advance.

Can you visit Strasbourg, Colmar and Nancy without a car?

Yes – these cities can be explored on foot from the station, and rail links connect the region’s main cities. Parking is limited in the historic centres, so the train is often more practical, especially during the Christmas markets.

Which UNESCO sites can you see in the cities of the Grand Est?

In Strasbourg, the Grande-Île and the Neustadt; in Nancy, Place Stanislas, Place de la Carrière and Place d’Alliance, built from 1752 to 1756; in Reims, Reims Cathedral, the former Abbey of Saint-Remi and the Palace of Tau. In Épernay, the Avenue de Champagne is part of the “Champagne Hillsides, Houses and Cellars” site.

Information checked in October 2026. Opening hours, prices and conditions may change: check the official websites before you travel.

Sources consulted (16)

More ideas

Heritage & castles Picturesque villages Vineyards & tastings Lakes & swimming Hiking, nature & summits Snow & winter sports Sports & thrills Cycling & touring Wellness & spas Parks & family fun Remembrance & the Great War Museums Camping Festivals & markets Off the beaten track

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