Strasbourg-Ville Train Station, Strasbourg

The Strasbourg-Ville Train Station stands as the second largest in France and likely holds a position as one of the most distinctive in Europe. This station was opened in 1883, where the Basle–Cologne and Paris-Vienna routes intersected. It was designed by German architect Johann Eduard Jocobsthal to replace a smaller station that was in a dead-end location.

The station is 120 meters long and has two floors. The ground floor is on the same level as the square in front of it, while the upper floor is a bit higher than the train tracks. The front of the building, done in a Neo-Renaissance style, served both travelers and goods, and there was also a yard for marshaling.

In 1901, a post office was added on a single facet of the structure, and later, a police station was constructed on the opposite side of the building. Initially, the station had nine tracks, but in 2007, during a renovation, they added four more tracks, mostly for the TGV arrivals.

The 120-meter-long dome made of steel and glass that stretches across the old building was designed by Jean-Marie Duthilleul, an architect from the French railroad company (SNCF). There's a 25-meter space between the dome and the station's front. Here, you'll find the entrance to the subway, a reception area, the Tourist Office, and a cafe/snack bar.

From this station, you can catch trains to Switzerland, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany, as well as to most towns in France. If you're interested in a day trip to Paris, the TGV will get you there in a little over two hours.