Paris may have gone cycle-mad this summer with Velib', but they are Jean-ny come lately compared with Strasbourg - officially France's first city of cycling.

After all that lolling about in comfort on the train anticipating a bit of stork-spotting and flammekueche-chomping (well-known top activities in Strasbourg), what better way to explore the city than from its 480km cycle network – and it’s flat! Plan your trip before you leave with the comprehensive help of www.velolocation.net - a bike-rental service managed by Vélo-Emploi and supported by Strasbourg city council. As their motto says, "Good bicycles for true jobs".

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A visit to the sumptuous Etablissement de Bains, built to exacting German standards between 1904 & 1911, is a must.

Enjoy a Turkish bath, sauna, thermal bath or a swim in opulent surroundings unlike anything available in Britain all for a very reasonable entrance fee.

A perfect and affordable pick-up, particularly revitalising during the winter months.

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The absolute must eat in Strasbourg, or anywhere in the Alcace region, is Tarte Flambe.

It's a kind of thin pizza like thing, but minus tomato and tadtionally made with a topping of cream, bacon and onions.

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As well as seeing the usual sights, you must visit the Orangerie, a park or more accurately, pleasure garden just north east of the city centre.

There are beautiful gardens, stately buildings,a small zoo, an aviary,a boating lake, an unusual outdoor planetarium and a stylish cafe and restaurant.

A lovely place to spend an afternoon away from the busy city centre.

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For the cheese lovers: La Cloche a Fromage, a restaurante specialised in chesses.

It has an entry in the Guiness Book of Records for the largest cheese board.

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The best place to stay in Strasbourg for travellers on a shoe-string budget is Ciarus.

It offers clean, comfortable en-suite hostel accommodation, which is often booked up by MEPs.

For the best tarte flambees go to Les Trois Brasseurs at 22 Rue des Veaux. It often has special deals on tarteflambee and beers.

For great beers, go to Academie de la Biere on Rue Adolphe Seyboth. It is a great place to have a few drinks after wondering around beautiful Petite France.

www.ciarus.com

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Top restaurant to enjoy tarte flambee - Les Trois Brasseurs, 22 rue des Veaux

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From the beginning of December Strasbourg has the best Christmas market in Europe, with hundreds of stalls selling reasonably priced presents, hot wine, Christmas decorations, Christmas trees and many other things.

It is beautiful to photograph and wonderful to visit.

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Try and avoid visiting in the one week in four when the European Parliament is sitting - it means there are hardly any hotel rooms available!

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It may not be the first Eurostar city that you associate with cutting edge European culture, but in fact Strasbourg is the home of television channel Arte – a station that many would assume is broadcast from Paris or even Amsterdam.

The ‘Channel 4’ of the European world, they bring ambitious, cultural programming to France and surrounding countries.

Check out their website in advance to see if there is a themed evening of films and discussions showing when you are in town. If you are lucky you may even catch a live opera broadcast!

www.arte-tv.com

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Cheese is often undervalued but not at La Cloche a Fromage, Strasbourg.

The restaurant (a closely guarded secret amongst MEPs) is tucked down a cobbled street. Inside, it is dominated by an enormous, temperature-controlled Cloche.

All recipes contain cheese, apart from the chocolate fondue.

A selection of cheese from the Cloche is scientifically ordered in a "snail" on your plate and you eat your way into the middle saving le grand fromage for last.

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Strasbourg is lovely toured by bike. The city has a number of bike rental shops and provide bikes with big baskets and locks, which allow yo to get on and off and carry all your shopping as you go.

www.velocation.net/en/index.php

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Strasbourg is a brilliant place for food. For original and inexpensive experiences, try to get away from the touristy venues around the cathedral and head to ‘Broc en Stock’ (15, quai des Pêcheurs), an Italian restaurant where everything, from the chair you’re sitting on to the bikes and lamps surrounding you are for sale.

To enjoy Flammekueche (specialty from Alsace, like a square thin crust pizza with cream, onions and bacon), go to the trendy ‘Le Flam’s’ (29 rue des frères).

And to experience superior jacket potatoes French-style, head to ‘La robe des champs’ (4, Rue de l'Ecurie).

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The Cathedral of Notre Dame de Strasbourg - once the world's tallest buildings - is an absolute must-see in Strasbourg.

A very well crafted astronomical clock chimes "noon" at 12.30pm each day, when figures of the 12 apostles appear in parade.

Fancy burning some calories? Have a go at the 330 steps to the platform..

However it's worth it, as the spectacular view on the Black Forest and Vosges are a wonderful reward.

Besides, Strasbourg is linked with the Alsace's wine route and is one of its civic centres.

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You must try the Cloche au Fromage; the only all-cheese restaurant I've ever seen.

Right in the heart of the city, and not a gimmick: it is an excellent choice for eating.

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