Saarbrücken – Paris

The Saarland capital brings a little savoir-vivre to Germany. This border city is where the Franco-German lifestyle, cuisine and culture of both countries meld into one. The city’s proximity to Saarland’s natural landscape makes it particularly appealing. Saarland is the only federal state to have been awarded the TourCert certification as a sustainable travel destination.

Things to do

Although the Saarland capital is compact, it still has a lot to offer. The old town is of particular interest for visitors, with its half-timbered houses and historical buildings such as the Baroque castle, Basilica of St. John the Baptist, Ludwigskirche and neo-Gothic town hall. A stroll along the Saar to the historic crane is also a must for all visitors. The building harks back to the city’s time as a trading hub. If you continue your walk towards the French border, you’ll end up in the Franco-German Garden, designed in the style of the 1950s and 60s and offering plenty of greenery and tranquillity. Do you prefer to explore a city through the food it serves? Then St. Johanner Market Square is the right place for you. This is where locals meet in the many bars, cafés and restaurants.

Green and (almost) free

• Experience culture: All museums that are part of the Saarland Cultural Foundation are free to visit on the first Sunday of the month and on Tuesday afternoons from 3 pm. Among the free museums are the Modern Gallery, the Alte Sammlung at the Saarland Museum, the Museum of Pre- and Early History and the German Newspaper Museum.
• Family fun: The perfect destination for travellers with children is the Saarbrücken wildlife park, which is free to enter. It is home to approximately 120 local wild and domestic animals. Children get to learn more about the animals on guided and adventure tours. 
• Edible city: The green spaces of Saarbrücken are not only planted with flowers, but also with edible fruit and vegetables. The best part is that everyone is allowed to pick what they want. So if you feel like snacking on a few berries while you’re out and about, you don’t have to go to the nearest supermarket, but to the city’s green spaces.

Pure indulgence

When it comes to cuisine, Saarbrücken combines the best of Germany and France. There are also a few food spots for meat-free cuisine that you should try out. Cucina Verde is the city’s first vegan bistro, offering delicious cakes and seasonal cuisine. Delicacies for any time of day are available at Luuc Cafe Deli Wein – from bountiful breakfasts to bowls and vegetarian tapas plates, there is something for everyone. At Lilli’s Kuchenwerkstatt, anyone with a sweet tooth can indulge in cakes (not all vegan!), breakfast, organic fair trade coffee and vegan chocolate.

Outdoor adventures

Those planning an excursion into nature will be spoilt for choice, as 66% of Saarland’s natural landscape is protected. One example is the Hunsrück-Hochwald National Park. The best way to experience this virgin European forest is by hiking. The Saar-Hunsrück Climb is the ideal option, leading right through the national park. It can also be hiked in stages. Stage one from Perl to Hellendorf is particularly beautiful. The route runs for 17 kilometres through the tri-national region and enchanted forests. Stage two offers plenty of panoramic views, leading from Hellendorf to Mettlach (both hikes are about 1.5 hours by train from Saarbrücken).

The Saarschleife, or Great Bend, near Cloef also affords great views. You’ll have the most beautiful view of the picturesque bend in the river and the surrounding woods from the treetop trail (about 1.5 hours away by train).

If you want to explore the state by bike, you can follow the approximately 110-kilometre Saar-Rundweg circular trail. It runs across the entire federal state – past vineyards in Saarburg to wetland landscapes and marsh meadows with many animal and plant species in Bliesgau, south of Saarbrücken.

Summer in the city

Fancy cooling off? Then head to the Saar to experience the city by boat or stand-up paddle board on the water (both can be rented from Salt Yacht). For those who want to escape the city, a day trip to the Bostalsee is ideal. This 120-hectare lake is located in the low mountain landscape of Saar-Hunsrück and provides plenty of space for water sports. If you would prefer a leisurely cruise, you can head to Mettlach (about 45 minutes by train) to discover the Saar and the Great Bend from the water on a boat tour.

After cooling off, it’s back to the busy streets of Saarbrücken. Numerous festivals send music floating through the streets. In the Franco-German Garden, local artists of various genres perform in the music series Die Muschel rockt, while the Saarklang event celebrates pop and rock. At the Old Town Festival, the mix of local and international artists attracts a large number of visitors, and at the Nauwieser Viertel Festival, the trendy artists’ quarter celebrates three days of alternative music.

Paris in summer is a city of contrasts. As everyday life in Paris becomes calmer, the city blossoms and comes to life at the same time. This is the most fun time to explore the city by bike – and now you can even feel safe and relaxed while doing so. The French capital is constantly extending its network of cycle paths in order to make this means of transport more attractive and at the same time reduce particulate pollution. 

Things to do

The Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, the Arc de Triomphe, Notre Dame and Sacré Cœur – there is so much to discover in Paris. Our tip: conquer the city on foot or by bike. Not only will you get a good view of the absolute must-sees, you will also experience the Parisian flair. Since most of the sights are located near the Seine, you can’t go wrong with a simple stroll along the river and from there make detours to the sights. Only Sacré Cœur and the Jardin de Luxembourg are a little further away. 
L’Alternative Urbaine’s city tours offer you a chance to be shown round the city by locals. The initiative gives the long-term unemployed the opportunity to find their way back into everyday employment.

Tip: If you get thirsty during the walk, you can fill up your water bottle at one of the many Wallace fountains in the city.

Green and (almost) free

• Bike: The city is working to make Paris more attractive for cyclists and is adding more and more cycle paths. Part of this is the Velib’ Metropole service. You can rent bicycles and return them at many docking points across the city via this service. The first 30 minutes are free, and day passes cost five euros.
• Views: You don’t have to pay for panoramic views in Paris – you can get them for free at the Galerie Lafayette (eighth floor) and Printemps (ninth floor) department stores. All you have to do is go straight to the top.
• Art & culture: People under the age of 26 benefit from cheaper or even free admission to museums. Those who have already passed this age limit will be in luck on the first Sunday of the month, when they too can visit some of the city’s museums free of charge (up-to-date information can be obtained from the Paris Tourist Office). Other museums such as the Petit Palais, the Musée d’Art Moderne and the Musée du Parfum are free all year round.

Pure indulgence

French cuisine is famous around the world – but not so much for meat-free dishes. This is gradually changing and the French capital now offers more and more restaurants for vegans and vegetarians. The city’s oldest veggie restaurant – Le Potager du Marais – is named after the Marais vegetable garden and reinterprets French classics. Perennial favourites can also be found at Le Grenier de Notre-Dame. Healthy cuisine features at Wild & The Moon and Judy as well. Raw vegan dishes are served at 42 Degrés.

Creative sandwich fillings, burgers and homemade cakes await visitors at the vegan concept store Aujourd’hui Demain. And, of course, croissants are on every visitor’s must-taste list. They are available at VG Patisserie and Land & Monkeys – and there are even vegan versions. 

Outdoor adventures

The city has many famous green spaces, such as the Jardin des Tuileries and the Jardin du Luxembourg. Less well known, but no less beautiful, is the Coulée Verte René Dumont. The former railway line has been planted with lime trees, roses and hazel bushes and forms a 4.5-kilometre hiking trail in the middle of the city. The Bois de Vincennes is another of the most beautiful recreational areas in the city, with its roses, playgrounds, a pond and a small farm.  If you’re looking for something a little more romantic, then a detour to the Parc des Buttes-Chaumont in the northeast is worth the trip. The hilly park is designed in the English style and offers panoramic views of the city of love. Fancy getting out of town for a bit? Then hop on the train at Gare de Lyon for 40 minutes and head to the Fontainebleau UNESCO Biosphere Reserve to hike, climb or just relax.

Summer in the city

Every year, 14 July is the day when the French let loose. The National Day isn’t just celebrated in the capital, but across the entire country – under the open sky, with parades, concerts and fireworks. But there’s plenty happening out on the streets during the rest of summer, as well: for example, the Fête de la Musique, where amateurs and professionals perform on the streets and in parks. Meanwhile, at Rock en Seine, things get really wild in otherwise calm Paris for three days. And at the smaller version, Fnac Live, you can listen to the artists for free, just like at the free La Défense Jazz Festival.

Every summer, the banks of the Seine are transformed into a large beach. The summer event Paris Plage sees many small bathing areas being created along the river and the waterways, including the Bassin de la Villette swimming pools. What else should you not miss out on to feel like a fully fledged Parisian? Playing pétanque (boules) in the park!