Also one of the top wine producers in the country, Strasbourg lies 250 miles away from Paris and charms with half-timbered houses, rivers, quintessentially French cafés, lovely parks and canals, a world-renowned cathedral and the iconic Grande Île, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is also an urban center with the ninth-largest metro area in the nation and home to the European Parliament, where members of the EU meet for their plenary sessions.

Choose from guided walking tours of various levels or see Strasbourg like many locals do—on a bike. Strasbourg was named one of the most bike-friendly cities by Condé Nast, with over 18,000 bike racks and bike-friendly streets crisscrossing the city. Either way you’re sure to fall in love with this magical city and enjoy some of these magical highlights:

The Strasbourg Cathedral, officially known as the Cathedral of our Lady of Strasbourg, was the highest building in the world from 1647-1874 and is built in Gothic style. Standing on the site of a former Roman temple, it is one of the top Catholic shrines in the world and features stained glass windows. Artists and writers have been inspired by the cathedral for centuries. Victor Hugo wrote that the cathedral was a “gigantic and delicate” marvel.