Kehl-Strasbourg (Germany Baden-Wurttemberg)

Kehl is a Rhine River cruise port and town in Germany's Baden-Wurttemberg state (Ortenaukreis district) with population around 35,000. The town is directly opposite to Strasbourg - the capital and largest city in France's Alsace-Champagne-Ardenne-Lorraine region. Strasbourg has population around 280,000 (metro around 0,8 million) ranking it France's 9th-largest.

Strasbourg France

In 1988, the historic downtown (Grande Ile / Grand Island) was designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. Though violently argued throughout history, the city has been a cultural bridge between Germany and France for centuries. University of Strasbourg is France's 2nd largest. Strasbourg Grand Mosque (inaugurated in 2012) is France's largest Islamic place of worship. The city is also famous for its Gothic Cathedral with astronomical clock, the medieval cityscape (timber-framed buildings, particularly in district Petite France).

The city's economy is based on engineering and manufacturing, as well as transportation (rail, road and river).

Strasbourg is the seat of a number of European institutions, including the Council of Europe (with the European Court of Human Rights, European Directorate for Quality of Medicines and European Audiovisual Observatory) and Eurocorps, as well as the European Ombudsman of the EU and the European Parliament. The city is also the seat of Central Commission for Navigation on Rhine and International Institute of Human Rights.

Kehl Germany

Between 1842-1847, in Kehl was constructed the first port facility (built and managed by Baden State Railway Administration). The first railway bridge was built in 1861, thus establishing the first-ever direct connection Paris-Vienna, with trains changed over in Kehl.

After WW1 (1914-1918), under Treaty of Versailles (article 65), Kehl Harbor (port) was given to France for 7 years to prevent possible German attacks on Strasbourg. During WW2 (1939-1945), after the Battle of France (aka Fall of France / May 10 through June 25, 1940), Kehl became Strasbourg's suburb. After the war, all German citizens were expelled. In 1953, the town was returned to Germany and the refugees returned.

Kehl train station is near Pont de l'Europe (Europe Bridge) connecting directly with Strasbourg. Bus line 21 and a tram also connect both cities.

Kehl-Strasbourg cruise terminal