Home to arguably the world’s best Christmas market – just ask the 2 million yearly revellers – Strasbourg offers the Franco-fairytale romance that Paris has outgrown. Even better, the joys are all-season. Tucked on the French side of the Rhine, this city was only “strategically” bombed during the Second World War. As such, its medieval and Renaissance history was mostly spared, and its Grande Île historic heart became the first urban centre in France to be recognised in its entirety by UNESCO. Grab a bike and get gawking. Strasbourg has worked diligently for its “French Cycling Capital” honours (ranking #9 in our Biking subcategory), with more than 600 kilometres of cycling paths, winding from the quaint Petite France district to its central Place Kléber (and ideally a bistro in between).
Compelling transformations are ahead for the formal seat of European Parliament. A Populous-led renovation of its Stade de la Meinau is giving football fans reason to anticipate summer. Meanwhile, along the Rhine, former port facilities will become new housing and public spaces as part of the multi-year Deux Rives project. With the eighth-best internet infrastructure, Strasbourg is a natural host to start-ups, too. They build happily in innovation parks and accelerators across the city.