The Orangerie Park is one of Strasbourg’s most popular places to relax and escape the bustle of the city. Most visitors come to stroll and cycle the tree-lined pathways; watch the swans on the lake, see the resident storks, admire the statues, waterfall, and fountains; and picnic on the lawns—all perfect respite from shopping and sightseeing.
The park also boasts other attractions. Paddle the lake in a rented rowboat, admire the Josephine Pavilion—a pretty garden lodge built in 1804 for Empress Josephine, wife of Napoleon Bonaparte—and take the kids to the petting zoo, mini-farm, vintage car circuit, bowling alley, and playgrounds.
Located in Strasbourg’s European District just across the Avenue de l’Europe from the Council of Europe building, the Orangerie is easily accessed by foot or public transit. Allow for a 30-minute walk to the park from either Strasbourg Cathedral or Neustadt via the Allee de la Robertsau. The nearest bus stop is Parc de L’Orangerie, while the closest tram stops are Parc de L’Orangerie and Droits de l’Homme.
The Orangerie is open all day, every day. While it’s always popular, its size means it rarely feels crowded. Unsurprisingly, the park is busiest in summer and at weekends—arrive early or later in the day to enjoy the quietest times. Another good time to visit is fall, when the foliage lights up in a blaze of colors.
Storks are a symbol of the Alsace region and the Orangerie is a great place to see these elegant birds. As the breed was threatened with extinction in the mid-20th century, a colony was introduced to the park—a move that has seen 800 birds born here since 1971. View them at the stork sanctuary, see them flying overhead, and don’t miss the stork-nesting season—in early spring every year, the birds construct nests on many of the park’s trees, chimney pots, and nesting poles.
