| Freiburg im Breisgau (Freiburg im Breisgau) | |
 | |
| Information | |
| Country |  Germany |
|---|---|
| Area | 153,04 km² |
| Population | 230 241 hab. ( and ) |
| Density | 1 504,45 inhab./km² |
| Postal code | 79098–79117 |
| Spindle | UTC 01:00, UTC 02:00 |
| Location | |
 47 ° 59 ′ 54 ″ N 7 ° 50 ′ 34 ″ E | |
| Official site | |
| Touristic site | |
Freiburg im Breisgau is an important city in the region of Baden-Württemberg in southwestern Germany, located on the edge of the Black Forest («Schwarzwald"). Picturesque, it is located on the Dreisam river, between green mountains, it enjoys one of the sunniest and warmest climates in German cities.
Freiburg was founded in 1120 and has been an important city since that time, which is reflected in the rich medieval and renaissance architectural heritage of its old town ("Altstadt"). Having said that, having been a university town for centuries, it also has a very forward-looking vision, and is a center of sustainable development. Many solar-related companies are headquartered there, and much of the city, especially the newer neighborhoods, has been developed using the latest ideas in sustainability.
Freiburg is in fact closer to the France and some Swiss than most of Germany, being in a corner where the borders of the three countries meet. This is reflected by the EuroAirport shared by the city, that of Basel in Switzerland and Mulhouse in France, the only one whose terrain straddles national borders. Note that if it is most of the time from this Friborg that is referred to when this name is pronounced, there are several places bearing this name. When buying train and other tickets online, be careful not to confuse Freiburg (Brisgau) with Freiburg / Elbe en Saxony or Friborg in Switzerland.
Understand
Capital of the southern Black Forest, it is also a pioneer city in terms of ecology. Its mild climate and historic city center attract more than 3 million visitors each year.
To go
By plane
- 1 Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg Airport (EuroAirport; IATA : EAP) (Frequent buses enter towards Friborg) – It is the closest airport, with a good choice of international destinations, although they are much less frequent than the major airports in Frankfurt or Zurich.
- 2 Karlsruhe-Baden-Baden Airport (IATA : FKB) (To 40 min by train north of the city, plus a bus to the station) – Another airport near Freiburg welcoming some international flights with the companies RyanAir, Airberlin and some other low cost companies. You should check in advance the timetables of the connections between your flight, the bus and the train (information available on the website of the Deusche Bahn).
- 3 Stuttgart Airport (IATA : STR) – Much closer than Frankfurt, but less has less convenient train connections.
Many people visiting Friborg also come via the airports of Frankfurt and of Zurich, both around 2 h by direct train. ICE (InterCity Express) trains leave for Freiburg approximately every hour from the Fernbahnhof at Frankfurt Airport. Follow the signs once you arrive and purchase your ticket at Deutsche Bahn Reisententrum (DB travel center). Most trains travel directly to Freiburg, with some requiring change in Mannheim. Booking the train ticket online can reduce its price to 29 € with a special rate, which requires taking certain trains. If your plane is late, you will need to purchase another ticket. A standard ticket at the Fernbahnhof counter in Freiburg is 62 €.
By train
- 4 Central Station (Hauptbahnhof) – Freiburg train station is located near the city center. Frequent connections run north to Frankfurt and south to Basel, high-speed ICE trains departing in both directions every hour. Buying your ticket in advance allows you to have cheap tickets for 29 € the go. From the station, you can directly take the tram (Straßenbahn) which runs above the main station and provides easy access to the city. The Hauptbahnhof is also within walking distance of the city center and several good hotels.
Among the direct connections:
- Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof (train station) and airport (Flughafen), 2 h
- Zurich, 2 h (Swiss)
- Basel, 40 min (express) 1 h (local), (Swiss)
- Mannheim (near Heidelberg), 1 h 30
- Berlin, 6 h 05
- Cologne, 3 h 10
- Hamburg, 5 h 45
- Munich, 4 h 30
- Amsterdam, (Netherlands), 6 h
- Paris, (France), 3 h 30
- Milan, (Italy), 5 h 30
Local and regional trains can be good for day trips or for traveling to nearby towns. At the main station, ask for Ländertickets where the Regio-tickets. They can be used by a group of up to 5 people on RB, RE and S-Bahn trains and also for local trips. They are a much cheaper alternative for a group of travelers heading to nearby towns or leaving for the day.
Circulate
 | Freiburg im Breisgau has a restricted traffic area. Entering this area without the appropriate badge may result in a fine of 80 €. This also applies to foreign road users. The entry ban concerns vehicles emitting groups of pollutants 1 2 3 (Federal agency information). Date of entry into force of the measure: (for more information, see the section "Germany »Of the article on low emission areas) |  |
It is advisable to leave your car in a parking lot and explore the city by bike, on foot or by using the city's public transport (RVF network), excellent but a bit expensive.
the public transport network is managed by several companies, but the ticket office is unified by the local transport association RVF. Tickets can be used on all local buses, trams and trains in the area. The RVF zone is divided into three zones on which the price of the ticket depends. A single trip costs 2,2 € for zone B (zone of the city of Friborg), 3,8 € for zone A / B and 5,4 € for areas A / B / C. You can buy at the VAG Pluspunkt store, located near Martinstor, a set of 8 tickets valid in zone A for 15,4 €. You can also take tickets using a points system; 20 points cost 13,7 € and for a one-way ticket you will use 3 for zone A, 5 points if you go through zone B and 7 points if you go through zone C. You will probably only use the tram and bus in zone A for the majority of your stay. If you are coming for a short time or a weekend, buy a Regio 24 who will give you 24 h unlimited journeys within zone A for one person (5,5 €) and up to 5 people for 9,9 €. the Regio 24 is also available for 2 or 3 zones. These cards allow you to use all public transport in Friborg, and also to take DB Regio trains within the same areas. Timetables and prices on the website VAG Freiburg.
the bike is another convenient way to get around, as the sidewalks and streets of Freiburg have cycle paths. Many residents of Freiburg use their bikes and you can easily get a real feel of the city this way. They can be rented at various stores, the most convenient for tourists being the Mobile at the train station (Hauptbahnhof).
Most of Freiburg's important sites are located next to each other in the city center. You can cross this on foot in about 10-15 min or by taking the tram. Even if passengers are rarely screened, traveling without a valid ticket (Schwarzfahren) will be worth a fine of 40 € ! The same applies for regional trains which are checked about 25% of the time. Those who get caught multiple times without a valid ticket may risk appearing in court as it is considered a crime.
If you came to Friborg in car (rented or not), you can quickly reach most areas with your car. Be aware that parking is relatively expensive but there are plenty of parking lots where you can park and then walk to nearby places. Like most European cities, car use is limited to parts of the city center; cyclists will have to walk next to their bikes.
To see
- 1 Notre-Dame Cathedral of Friborg (Freiburger Münster) – It is the biggest attraction in the city. Built in XIIe century, it is one of the oldest and most beautiful in Europe. She is known for her set of arrows and gargoyles, to be studied with attention. Entirely built in red sandstone, it overlooks the half-timbered houses of Münsterplatz. Make the effort to climb to the top of the tower for a fabulous view (1,5 €).
- Marlet (in the square surrounding the cathedral)
Mon.- Fri. up to 13 h, sat. up to 13 h 30.. – The best day is Saturday morning, when the market is the biggest and the coolest. The vendors are pleasant and sell local products and goods. Buy a Bratwurst mit Brötchen (roasted sausage in a bun) or a Currywurst (curried sausage) for approx. 2,2 €, it will make an inexpensive, authentic and delicious lunch or snack. - 2 Altes Kaufhaus (on the cathedral square) – A historic store that was born in XIVe century.
- Marlet (in the square surrounding the cathedral)
- 3 Schlossberg (To 15 min walk east of the old town) – The wooded hill of Schlossberg (castle mountain) is the highest point in the town. It is located right next to the city and has a tower at its peak. You can get there on foot or by funicular. You will enjoy magnificent views of the Black Forest, Freiburg, the Kaiserstuhl and the Vosges mountain range in France. A good place to make a Trek.
- Bächle – These small canals, located in the old town of Friborg, were once used to drink livestock. In summer they are particularly popular for cooling the feet.
- 4 Town Hall Square (Rathausplatz) – The town hall square offers a most friendly atmosphere, we like to lounge there next to the fountain and in the shade of the chestnut trees.
- 5 Altes Rathaus and tourist office – The old town hall now housing the tourist office.
- 6 Neues Rathaus – The new town hall.
- City gates – The city of Freiburg im Breisgau has 2 old medieval gates, both in very good condition and really worth a look:
Mon.- Fri. up to 
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- 7 Saint-Martin gate (Martinstor)
- 8 Swabian Gate (Schwabentor)
- 9 Seepark (in the residential district of Betzenhausen) – An artificial lake and a popular hangout from the Betzenhausen district. Complete with a beer garden and restaurant, Seepark is popular with families and or for those who come to walk around this stunning green belt.
- 10 Botanical Garden Mon.- Sun. : 8 h - 18 h; tight: Mon.- Game. : 12 h - 16 h, sun and holidays 14 h - 16 h.
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Museum
- 11 Augustinermuseum – Reopened in March 2010, with a spectacular new exhibition.
- 12 Modern Art Museum (Museum für Neue Kunst)
- 13 Colombischlössle Archaeological Museum (Colombischlössle Archaeological Museum)
- 14 City History Museum (Museum für Stadtgeschichte)
- 15 Museum of Nature and Men (Museum Natur und Mensch)
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Do
- 1 Schauinsland (tram 2, then bus 21 to cable car (out of service in bad weather)) – The top of this mountain (1 284 m) offers great views to the Swiss Alps. You can also hike from the station (1 Schauinslandbahn cable car ) to the top. Check that the weather forecast is good and count 3 to 5 h for the ascent, and 1-2 h for the descent.
To buy
- As in most German cities, the city center is the place for shopping. You'll find everything from H&M to stores selling Armani.
- Two department stores and other boutiques can be found on Kaiser-Joseph Strasse (street), the many lanes housing many small independent shops. Outside the city there are several large supermarkets like Real, E-Center and Kaufland.
- Münsterplatz market (at the foot of the cathedral) every weekday until early afternoon and Saturday morning. – This large, bustling farmer's market is where locals buy locally produced flowers, fruits and vegetables and enjoy a 'wurst »(German sausage) as a snack.
- Food stores – Migros, located in the basement of Karstadt at the northern end of Kaiser-Josef-Straße, is the biggest, but is expensive. Rewe, on Fahnenbergplatz, and Aldi, in the basement of Schwarzwald City, are among the cheapest. Kaufland north of the city on Waldkircher Strasse has an impressive range. Budget Treff supermarkets are great for those on a budget.
- Bookstores – Because of the university importance of the city center, there are large bookstores within Freiburg, selling new and used books.
- Kartoffelmarkt (near the Stadttheater (municipal theater)) – This market (meaning potato market) has a few stalls selling alternative hippie-style clothing, jewelry, and accessories every weekday.
Eat
Have a drink / Go out
- Feierling (just east of Augustinerplatz) Sun.- Game. : 11 h - 0 h, Fri.- sat. : 11 h - 1 h.
2,60-15 €. – Try the homemade beer from this beer garden, a fantastic fresh Weizen (approx. 2,6 € the small glass). You can buy a bottle of 2 liters (10 €) that you can fill in at any time to 5 € (you can take it home and come back with it). The beer garden is nice in summer, and when the weather is good hundreds of people gather at the nearby Augustinerplatz (many with the bottle of 2 liters) for drinking and socializing.
2,60-Housing
- 1 Black Forest Youth Hostel Kartäuserstr. 33 (at the east exit of the city),
49 761 881 78 70 – You can cook in their kitchen, but they don't offer breakfast. - 2 Freiburg Hostel (Jugendherberge Freiburg) (out of town, to 4 km east of the center; tram 1 from the central station, get off at Römerhof and walk 10 min following the signs) – A Hostelling International establishment, aimed more at young people enjoying a rural setting than at young adult revelers spending the evening in the city center.
Communicate
Security
There is not much to worry about in Friborg. That said, take the same precautions you would take when traveling anywhere else. Don't tempt pickpockets. You should avoid the banks of the Dreisam at night. You should also avoid the area near the tram stop at night. Runzmattenweg west of the station. It is known to be a place of aggression against international students.
Around
- Europa-Park – TO 30 km from Friborg, one of the largest amusement parks in Europe will delight young and old.
- Black Forest (region east of the city) – Freiburg is a good starting point for the Black Forest, a large region made up mostly of low, forested mountains. A good way to leave city life and go for hikes, staying in guest houses or hotels with typical architecture. Among the areas of interest are the Schluchsee and Titisee lakes, the Feldsberg mountain and the Triberg waterfalls. By car, you can also take day trips there (the return train journeys can be too long).
- Colmar (in France, to the east, to 1 h by car) – A beautiful little town on the other side of the border. Many locals like to bring visitors there for a taste of France. In summer, take the side roads for magnificent views of the sunflower fields.
