Seat of the European Parliament in Strasbourg
Seat of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, Parliament building in Wacken district, Strasbourg, France
The Seat of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, known as the Louise Weiss building, is a modern complex in the Wacken district with a circular glass tower rising to 72 meters (236 feet). The structure combines this tower with a curved wing along the Ill River and a broad domed section housing the debating chamber.
Construction began in 1993 and finished in 1999, creating a permanent home for sessions previously held at the Council of Europe's Palace of Europe. The completion marked the shift to a dedicated facility for the European Union's parliamentary work in Strasbourg.
The building's official name honors Louise Weiss, a French journalist and feminist who campaigned for women's suffrage before becoming a member of the European Parliament. Her life and work connect the institution with the early struggle for democratic representation across Europe.
Visitors can enter the building during plenary sessions, but advance registration is required to pass security checks. The location in Wacken provides good connections to public transit and walking paths along the river.
The top of the glass tower remains deliberately unfinished, symbolizing the ongoing construction of the European project. This architectural choice expresses the idea that European integration continues to develop and remains a work in progress.
Location: Wacken
Location: Strasbourg
Inception: 1999
Architects: Architecture-Studio, Architecture-Studio
Official opening: July 19, 1999
Floors above the ground: 17
Floors below the ground: 3
Height: 72 m
Address: Allée du Printemps
Opening Hours: Monday-Friday 09:00-18:00; Saturday 09:30−12:00, 13:00−18:00
Phone: +33388174001
Website: https://europarl.europa.eu
GPS coordinates: 48.59702,7.76929
Latest update: December 5, 2025 22:23
In Strasbourg, each step crosses several centuries of history. You walk from medieval alleys lined with half-timbered houses to glass buildings housing European institutions. The cathedral, 142 meters high, has dominated the city since the Middle Ages, while modern structures along the Rhine reflect the city’s European role. The sound of bells blends with tram noise, and the smell of gingerbread drifts through the contemporary administrative districts.
Alsace stretches between Strasbourg and Mulhouse, presenting historical monuments from various periods. The region contains medieval castles such as Haut-Koenigsbourg, military fortifications by Vauban, and Romanesque and Gothic churches. Old town centres display characteristic half-timbered houses, while museums like the Railway Museum in Mulhouse or the Automobile Museum showcase technical collections. Strasbourg features its historic quarter La Petite France with canals and half-timbered buildings, along with the cathedral and its astronomical clock. Colmar offers the Unterlinden Museum housing the Isenheim Altarpiece and preserved old town districts. The Alsace Wine Route connects villages such as Riquewihr, Kaysersberg and Eguisheim, which have maintained their medieval structures. The Vosges mountains form the natural backdrop of the region with hiking trails and viewpoints. Fortifications like Fort de Mutzig reflect the military past. Religious buildings such as Murbach Abbey or the Church of Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul in Rosheim document Romanesque architecture. The region combines German and French heritage in its architecture, cuisine and culture.
Parc de l'Orangerie
755 m
Palace of Europe
298 m
European Court of Human Rights building
400 m
Cité-jardin Ungemach
304 m
Palais de la musique et des congrès
804 m
Parc du Contades
1.1 km
Villa Schutzenberger
584 m
Manoir du Contades
935 m
Villa Knopf
874 m
Maison de la Radio
751 m
Square du Tivoli - Tomi Ungerer
725 m
56, Allée de la Robertsau
754 m
Église protestante de la Robertsau
1.2 km
Église Saint-Louis de la Robertsau
984 m
Kaysersguet
620 m
Villa Stempel
969 m
Villa Faist
894 m
Restauration de la composition murale de la Maison de la Radio à Strasbourg
751 m
Immeuble au 37, allée de la Robertsau à Strasbourg
949 m
Maison au 2, rue des Fleurs à Strasbourg
749 m
Immeuble au 26, allée de la Robertsau à Strasbourg
1 km
Maison au 3 allée Kastner à Strasbourg
621 m
Statue of Jean Hultz
972 m
Pont de la Protestation
798 m
Cinéma Star
1.2 km
Buste de Victor Nessler du Parc de l'Orangerie de Strasbourg
723 m
Maison des Droits de l'Homme
340 m
Pont Joseph-Bech
310 mVisited this place? Tap the stars to rate it and share your experience / photos with the community! Try now! You can cancel it anytime.
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