Since it was built in 1439, the platform of the Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Strasbourg has been a popular tourist attraction, and, until recently, a strategic fire lookout:
Strasbourg Cathedral: climbing to the top to get the best view over the city
1. Tickets, schedule, etc.
We tried to get to the Cathedral as early as possible to avoid the summer crowds and extreme heat. At the entrance to the stairs we were asked to use sanitizer and show bags. We paid by card 8 euro for me and Artem (adult rate) and 5 euro for Erika (5 years and under free).
Strasbourg Cathedral platform hours are here.
2. Staircase and climbing with kids
There are two staircases: one for climbing up and another, (on the other side of the building), to get down.
Coming in:
The spiral staircase has narrow windows to pick in and one small flat area to catch your breath (when you are 2/3 way to the top).
We “did” the platform first thing in the morning, when kids were full of energy and barely noticed the ascending.
3. What I and kids especially liked a lot: gargoyles!
There are dozens of gargoyles at the Strasbourg Cathedral, just keep your eyes open ;). We saw some shaped like dogs, lions, and .. pigs(?). They formed with sprouts to convey water from the roof and away from the building:
4. What we saw from the Strasbourg Cathedral platform on a clear sunny morning
- Distant views of Vosges, low mountain range in France, Black Forest, – mountainous region in Germany
- Bridge to Germany we were biking recently
- Town squares, beautiful half timbered houses with red roofs
- Glorious gothic St. Paul’s Church of Strasbourg
- IKEA, – kids were delighted :D. (We used to go there on foot and on bikes)
- Our new home!
5. Building the Strasbourg Cathedral: medieval treadwheel crane
To build an outstanding masterpiece (started in 1015, finished in 1439) using a wooden treadwheel crane was a must. The crane was human powered and still standing there, more than millennium later.
Such devices were primarily used during the Middle ages to build cathedrals and castles. (And they have to stay on site for maintenance.)
6. Beautiful signs of the gothic cathedral walls
The inscription carved in the walls, are a real stone “album”! Scan the side of the wall on the left and right from the kids:
The oldest survived inscription dates back to the 1552! The guards were often former stonemasons, and had the task of welcoming visitors who came to admire the view. Some of them asked to carve theirs name in exchange for a tip :).
7. What else to do around/after climbing
- Checking the Cathedral from inside
- Listen and watch Cathedral’s astronomical clock (check the schedule)
- Hop on Little Train with audio-guides for 40 minutes ride around Petite France
- Water fountain is right near the Cathedral, we filled our bottle right after we climbed down:
- Amorino ice cream – pricey but very worth trying! French gelato, shaped like a rose with multiple flavors and macarons on top:
Strasbourg Cathedral platform, good to have:
Water bottle, comfy shoes, baby carrier for little travelers, camera 🙂
Don’t forget to check the hours, conditions, and fees before you go
Thank you for reading!
Our recent adventure: day trip on rental bikes from France to Germany
Our beloved home, Washington, nature wonders: volcanoes, caves, etc
– your Grazy Goat 🙂
Read more about the Strasbourg things to do:
