Walk around in Strasbourg: parc du Contades

Parc du Contades is one of the most iconic urban parks in Strasbourg. This idyllic green space was created in the 18th century and is the perfect place to relax, walk or enjoy outdoor activities. With its shaded walkways and large greens, this nearly 2.5-acre park is a charming green lung in the middle of the Neustadt quarter.

We particularly enjoy parc du Contades for its peaceful and community-centered atmosphere. Its large walkways lined with centuries-old trees are ideal for a stroll, and its large, grassy greens are perfect for a picnic or just to lounge in the sun. There are also several benches dotted around the park, where you can take a nice, quiet break.

The park was created in 1764 by Marshal Louis Georges Erasme de Contades, commander of the province of Alsace, in the location of an old firing range. It has undergone several transformations since, most notably during the German occupation at the end of the 19th century. Some of its landmarks include: the bandstand, where concerts are played on summer weekends, and the Synagogue of Peace, at the western end of the park.

In addition to walking and relaxing, runners might want to head to Contades for their daily (or weekly!) run, and children can have fun on the playground.

The park is surrounded by apartment buildings and beautiful old villas, such as Villa Osterloff, in rue des Arquebusiers. Built in the early 1900s, the villa’s historicist architecture consists of a combination of medieval and Renaissance references.