Kehl Harbour Festival
Annual cultural festival in July celebrating the history of the Kehl Rhine harbour with music and a special cultural programme by the port.
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Kehl
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City
ℹ️Practical info — Kehl
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🌤 Weather — 5 days
📍 Nearby
Sights nearby
💡 Tips
- Take Tram Line D; it's the fastest way to get from Kehl Town Hall to the heart of Strasbourg in just 15 minutes.
- Walk across the Passerelle des Deux Rives, the pedestrian bridge to France, and stand right over the middle of the Rhine.
- Avoid visiting drugstores (DM/Rossmann) on Saturday midday, as they are very crowded with cross-border shoppers.
- Climb the Weißtannenturm observation tower in the Rhine park for views of the Black Forest and the Vosges mountains.
- Explore the Garden of Two Shores, a cross-border park connecting Kehl and Strasbourg with beautiful flower beds.
🍽 Food
🍽
Flammkuchen
A regional thin-crust pizza with cream, onions, and bacon, best enjoyed in a beer garden by the Rhine.
🍽
Badischer Wurstsalat
Thinly sliced sausage salad with cheese (Strasbourg style), typically served with fried potatoes.
🍽
Bibeleskäs
A local herb-seasoned curd cheese, traditionally served with 'Brägele' (pan-fried potatoes).
🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots
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City Center Kehl
A modern shopping mall right next to the train station with a variety of brands.
🛍
Hauptstraße
The pedestrian main street, lined with cafes and local shops, great for a relaxed stroll.
🧘
Rosengarten
An idyllic rose garden within the Garden of Two Shores, especially beautiful during summer bloom.
🧘
Altrhein
Walk along the old Rhine arms for pure nature and birdwatching in complete peace.
Water temperature…
Kehl stands as a unique gateway between Germany and France, its destiny forever entwined with the city of Strasbourg just across the Rhine. First documented in 1038, it grew into a formidable fortress town by the 17th century, designed to protect the crucial Rhine crossing. Throughout history, Kehl has been a focal point of Franco-German conflict, changing hands and facing destruction multiple times. Its post-WWII history is particularly notable, as the entire population was displaced while the city remained under French administration until 1953. In the modern era, Kehl has transformed into a bustling symbol of European unity. The 'Passerelle des deux Rives', a pedestrian and cyclist bridge, links the two nations in a shared parkland, and a cross-border tram system makes commuting between Kehl and Strasbourg seamless. Economically, the city is bolstered by its strategic inland port and its role as a retail hub for visitors from Alsace.
- Location: Baden-Württemberg, Germany
- Top sights: Bridge of Two Shores · Silver Fir Tower · Rose Garden
- Nearby: Rheinau (14 km)
- Population: ~38.721
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | 0 | 1 | 5 | 9 | 13 | 17 | 19 | 19 | 14 | 10 | 5 | 1 |
| Rain mm | 84 | 63 | 70 | 58 | 99 | 83 | 92 | 89 | 65 | 81 | 74 | 91 |
Geography
Facts
- Kehl was first mentioned in a document in 1038.
- The first permanent Rhine bridge was completed in 1861.
- The city was returned to German control in April 1953.
- The Garden of Two Shores opened its gates in 2004.
- The Port of Kehl covers an area of 320 hectares.
- Tram line D linked Kehl and Strasbourg in 2017.
Explore nearby
Notable places around
Route planner — Car & Motorhome
Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.
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Sights in the town Kehl (19)
Frequently asked questions
How do you get from Kehl to Strasbourg?
The easiest way is via tram line D, which directly connects to the city center of Strasbourg.
What is the Passerelle des Deux Rives?
An elegant pedestrian and cyclist bridge connecting Germany and France across the Rhine.
Is the Garden of the Two Shores worth a visit?
Yes, the extensive park provides great views, play areas, and cross-border walking paths.
Are there good shopping opportunities in Kehl?
Yes, Kehl city center and the City Center Kehl are popular with both German and French visitors.
What can you do at the Altrhein in Kehl?
You can go jogging, walking, or admire the nature from above at the Weißtannenturm observation tower.
Kehl: where is it located?
Kehl is located in Baden-Württemberg, Germany.
Kehl: what is there to see?
Highlights include Bridge of Two Shores, Silver Fir Tower, Rose Garden.
Kehl: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Aug.
Kehl: why is it worth visiting?
Kehl stands as a unique gateway between Germany and France, its destiny forever entwined with the city of Strasbourg just across the Rhine.
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