Walk around in Strasbourg: Quai Rouget de Lisle

Quai Rouget de Lisle runs along the river Ill from place Brant (near Palais Universitaire) in the Neustadt quarter, to Strasbourg’s European quarter. The quay was named after Claude Joseph Rouget de Lisle, the army officer who wrote the French national anthem, La Marseillaise, in Strasbourg in 1792.

Starting at place Brant, follow the quay towards the European Institutions, taking a leisurely stroll at the speed of the current, along a lovely, tree-lined riverside path. 

Admire the beautiful mansions and elegant manor houses lining the street.

Relax on a bench for a while, watching the sightseeing boats, canoes, kayaks, and scull boats go by.

Make a short detour by rue Schiller to see the incredible wrought-iron Art Nouveau gate (at n°10).

Cross the Ducrot footbridge and take a selfie with the Giraffe Man statue (by artist Stephan Balkenhol) in front of French-German TV channel ARTE’s head office. 

Want to keep exploring? 

Here are 3 different options to extend your walk: 

• Continue along the river on quai du Bassin de l’Ill. The path runs around the Council of Europe, revealing the iconic façade of the European Parliament on the opposite bank. (The quai du Bassin de l’Ill is closed to the public during parliamentary sessions). Then cross the pont de la Rose Blanche and take a left onto quai Ernest Bevin, which runs along the tram tracks, to enjoy the best view of the European Parliament.

• Take boulevard Paul Déroulède and walk to parc de l’Orangerie, Strasbourg’s most famous park.

• From the ARTE offices, take rue du Général Ducrot to amble around parc des Contades and admire the surrounding houses. Afterwards, you can keep exploring the Neustadt quarter.