To spot Place d’Austerlitz, look ahead for an open square framed by tall, classic Strasbourg apartment buildings and dotted with a few leafless trees rising grandly at its center.
Welcome to Place d’Austerlitz, a spot that’s had more names than a secret agent-“Place Dauphine” in 1771, “Metzgerplatz” if you dropped by during the 1870s, and, of course, back to “Austerlitz” after 1918. As you stand here, picture the clatter of horse-drawn carriages and the buzz of old market traders, because this square has been a busy heart of Strasbourg for centuries.
Why “Austerlitz?” Let’s rewind to 1805. Imagine Napoleon himself, striding out through the city gate nearby, off to fight the Russians and Austrians at the legendary Battle of Austerlitz. Spoiler alert: he wins big-so big that Strasbourg named this very square to honor him. Picture rows of cheering townspeople as Napoleon finally marches back home in triumph months later.
But Place d’Austerlitz isn’t just about military glory. For decades, it was bustling with tourists being dropped off by bus, until a major makeover in 2012 transformed it into the elegant, people-friendly plaza you see today. It’s a place to stroll, breathe, and enjoy the sun, with the soft shhh of bicycle wheels on the paths and the gentle chatter of folks on benches.
Now, don’t miss the playful bronze fountain, “The Girl with the Turtle”-like Strasbourg’s answer to Copenhagen’s Little Mermaid, only with fewer scales and more turtle. And right here on the ground, you’ll find a unique relief map, a “Point of Convergence,” that invites you to feel the city beneath your fingers.
So take a deep breath-if these trees could speak, they’d tell you they’ve seen emperors, butchers, and ordinary folks all making history here. Onward to the next adventure!
