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Strasbourg is an old city. A really, really old city. It was first permanently settled by the Celts 3300 years ago, developing into the town of “Argentorate”. But people lived there much earlier, as artifacts dating back to 600,000 years ago have been found in the area.

You won’t find a time travel train to take you back to prehistoric Strasbourg. But you can take the train to the Starsbourg of the 21st century right now. And what you will find when you get there is much more than a few artifacts for 600,000 years ago.

Strasbourg is known for its architecture and cityscape. The medieval of black and white timber-framed buildings in the classic Rhineland style make for a picturesque environment. Keep in mind that this area has been at various times in history occupied by German and French kingdoms, so it stands at the cultural crossroads of both peoples.

And at the warfare cross-roads, too – each time a war broke out between Germanic and Frankish kingdoms, guess which city got trampled on most by the invading and retreating armies? It is amazing that so much ancient architecture remains for us to enjoy.

Strasbourg’s sandstone gothic cathedral is probably the architectural highlight of the city. It is located of course in the old section of the city, surrounded by the Rhineland buildings.

And for those rainy days, there are plenty of museums – not bad for a city of under 300,000 inhabitants and an urban area of under 500,000 people. At last count there were 11 museums, not counting the six “university museums” administered by the Universite de Strasbourg.

The most interesting thing about the museums in Strasbourg is that six of them are art museums, each displaying different types of art. There is one for engravings and prints and woodcuts. Another museum is just for medieval and renaissance art. Another one houses nothing but decorative art – specifically furniture and chine from 18th century homes.

Beside the art museums, there are topical museums where people can explore local culture, science and technology (mostly for the children), regional history, navigation of the Rhine river, archeology, artifacts from Egypt and Sudan, rocks and minerals, zoology (including a renowned display of birds) and medical curiosities.

The two most “unique” museums that are yet somehow related are the basement museum beneath the Strasbourg observatory, which displays old astronomical devices, and the museum of measurements, which displays antique instruments of measurement.

Strasbourg is home to many cultural events, again pleasantly surprising for a city of its small size. With a philharmonic orchestra, an opera and a number of theatres playing year long, it doesn’t even matter if you miss the special events. But if you can time your visit, there are two well-loved film festivals, one dedicated to emerging film makers and the other dedicated to horror, science fiction and fantasy.

And there are two music festivals, one dedicated to contemporary classical music, and the other devoted just to Jazz.

Now that you know all that awaits in this city that lies at the crossroads of cultures, yet somehow tucked away and off the beaten path within France, why not grab yourself a train ticket from Paris to Strasbourg for a couple days. Or rent yourself a villa or an apartment and enjoy the city for a week or two.