Straßburg (Frankreich), Petite France. Photo By Dietmar Rabich – Wikimedia Commons

Top 10 Little known Facts about La Petite France


 

La Petite, also known as Tanners Quarters, is one of the historical districts of France. It is located in Strasbourg city, on the western side of Grande Ile. Between the 13th and the 18th century, La Petite was the main center of city tanning, corn milling, and fishing.

La Petite has retained its old architectural structures maintaining both their interior and exterior. It was named part of the Grand Ile UNESCO World Heritage site in 1988. Strasbourg was the first metropolitan to have its entire city center on the list!

La Petite is crossed by River III, a tributary of River Rhone. The river flows through Barrage Vauban before splitting into the Canal du faux Rempart in central Strasbourg. The waterways in La Petite are safe enough for navigation therefore, some city tours are explored through boat rides.

La Petite focuses on enhancing walkability by prohibiting motorized transport within the district. Its urban design is socially inclusive with adequate street furniture and dedicated cycling lanes.

Strasbourg hosts festivals and outdoor events during the months of June and August making this its peak season of tourism. However, La Petite is always a beehive of activities because of its many on-street restaurants, galleries and souvenir shops.

1.  La Petite France Was Named After A Hospital

Unlike most city names, La Petite France ‘Little France’ was named after the hospital, Hospice des Veroles. The hospital was built in La Petite France in the 1400s to treat the first recorded syphilis outbreak.

Before 1530, syphilis was known as the French disease. This was because it was spread by French troops after the return to Europe from invasion of Naples. The hospital’s association with the disease gave birth to the name Little France.

2. It Is One Of Strasbourg’s Main Tourist Attractions

The breathtaking La Petite has the perfect balance of nature and man-made features. The vibrant town is a warren of narrow alleyways colored by flower baskets along its waterside promenades making it an ideal place for touring and photography.

The medieval buildings are well preserved while others were converted into restaurants and hotels. La Petite is most appealing during the warm months as the flowers are in full blossom.

3. The Waterways Of River III Are A Major Part of La Petite France History

View of Waterway in Strasbourg – ‘La Petite France’. Photo Source Wikimedia Commons

River III is one of the tributaries of the Rhine River. It was once used as the main source of power for mills and tanneries and was a major factor in the economic stability of the district during the middleages.

 In La Petite, River III passes through the covered bridges at Strasburg with one of its channels Canal du Faux Rempart surrounding it. The waterways are navigable and both locals and tourists can explore La Petite by boat.   

4. Its Tanneries Were Converted To Commercial Buildings 

Before the tanneries moved to Lingolshein in the 19th century, La Petite was the main tannery and milling district of the middleages. Buildings such as the Maison des Tanneurs were repurposed for other uses.

Towards the end of Rue du Bain Aux Street, several tanners’ houses from the 16th and 17th centuries are preserved as a form of historical heritage.

5. There Are Numerous Souvenir Shops In La Petite France

Strasbourg, Souvenirs, place de la Cathédral. Photo By Ralph Hammann – Wikimedia Commons

Being a tourist destination, many souvenir shops are set up along the streets of La Petite France. There are a variety of personal prints, postcards, apparel, and small trinkets to carry home as souvenirs.

Like other commercial businesses, the buildings which the shops occupy were once tanneries and old mills

6. La Petite’s Urban Design Is Mainly Non-Motorized


Pedestrians and Cyclist In Quarter of La Petite France. Photo By Zairon – Wikimedia Commons

Streets in La Petite were officially pedestrianized in 1978. Due to the compact nature of its built form, the streets of La petite are quite narrow and focused on accommodating pedestrians and cyclists.

The urban design of the district is aimed at enhancing walkability through designated pedestrian walkways and cycling lanes. However, the cobblestone walkways are a bit of a challenge to the handicapped or those who have mobility issues.

7. It Has A Viewpoint On The Top Terrace Of The Barrage Vauban Dam

Covered bridges and cathedral from the Vauban dam in Strasbourg Photo Source Wikimedia Commons

The Vauban Dam is La Petite’s most noticeable feature. It was constructed in the 1600s as a navigation lock during times of battle and was labeled a national heritage site in 1971.

 Today, the Vauban Dam is a lapidarium with an array of sculptors and plaster-casts from Palais Rohan and Strasbourg Cathedral. On the top of the dam lies a terrace top with a great view of the La Petite quarter, the cathedral, and the Covered bridges.

8.  La Petite France Has A Dedicated Playground Square

The Square des Moulins is a green space at the centre of La Petite set aside for children to play while adults rest. The square borders River III and is adjacent to the Covered Bridges. From here, one can see the landscape of the district.

The square is equipped with swings, sandboxes, a trampoline, and water slides.

9. Tanners House In La Petite Is A Major Landmark Of Strasbourg City

Tanners House, Maison des Tanneurs, is one of the oldest tannery buildings in La Petite. It was built in 1572 when La Petite was a manufacturing district. It is located on the north bank of River III.

It is popular for its slanted roof and timbered galleries. Though the building design is preserved, Tanners House was reopened as a restaurant in 1956. It was restored by a group of winegrowers and opened as an eatery specializing in Alsatian cuisine.

10. La Petite France Is Adjacent To An Iconic Strasbourg Symbol

The Covered Bridges are a set of three arched bridges over River III. They are locally known as Ponts Couverts and are an iconic symbol in Strasburg city. During the medieval eras, the bridges were used as fortifications while the wooden canopies were a form of protection for the Vauban dam.

In 1928, the four fortified towers marking the bridges were listed as historical monuments of France. The view of the bridges can be seen from the square des Moulins in La Petite.