Embalmed in the nostalgia of its past grandeur, the former capital of the Habsburgs has kept a special flavor. Vienna celebrates art all the time: opera, theater or classical music concerts, the city is full of high quality shows. Enchanting, it reveals itself more than ever in the heart of winter at the time of its famous Christmas markets..
From the Ring to the museum district
Wandering through the historic center is a joy and there is nothing like a horse-drawn carriage tour to visit the city's main sights. We start of course with the St. Stephen's Cathedral, without forgetting the Hofburg, the Habsburg imperial residence, and the numerous churches and baroque fountains located within the Ring. The Ring separates the first district from the rest of the city; the circular avenue took the place of the old wall demolished by Franz Joseph in the mid-19th century to allow the city to modernize. Outside of it are the neighborhoods imbued with the effervescence of the turn of the century, when a wind of non-conformist rebellion shook the certainties of the empire. In the architecture, this rupture is expressed through Art Nouveau, present around the Place Saint-Charles. Its emblem, the golden dome of the Secession, deeply divided the Viennese. In the basement of this building, you can admire the famous Beethoven frieze by Gustav Klimt. After the visit, do not hesitate to visit the Café Museum. In this spacious café, you can still breathe in the freedom of this era of artistic and intellectual ferment. One name remains inseparable from the twilight of imperial Vienna: Sigmund Freud. The inventor of psychoanalysis lived in the university district of Alsergrund. His house in Berggasse was a place of pilgrimage for his many disciples
During the same period, "revolutionary" currents also appeared in painting. The Leopold Museum in the museum district houses the largest collection of paintings by Egon Schiele, one of the greatest talents of 20th century painting. In the upper Belvedere, the great works of Austrian Expressionism are exhibited, including the unmistakable Kiss by Gustav Klimt. This splendid palace was built in the early 18th century. The Upper Belvedere is connected to the Lower Belvedere by a terraced garden with numerous fountains, a popular motif for photographers.
Between culture and history
Inside the Ring, in the maze of streets, time seems to stand still. There is a harmonious atmosphere, enlivened by the many street artists around Stephansplatz. It is here, at the foot of St. Stephen's Cathedral, that the tour of the city begins. At 136 meters high, St. Stephen's is more than just an imposing cathedral: the "Steffl", as it is affectionately called, symbolizes the resistance of the Viennese people to the hazards of history. Its bell was melted down with the cannons of the Turkish army after they tried - unsuccessfully - to besiege the city in 1683. It weighed 21 tons. During the last jousts of the Second World War, it fell to the ground and broke. In order not to lose this historical symbol, it was decided to make a copy in the 1950s.
It is nice to stroll around the cathedral. Walk along the Graben, sit in front of the Plague Column and enjoy an ice cream like the Austrians do; look around the myriad of stores; daydream on the edge of a baroque fountain; then take the path of the museums - dozens in the first district alone. Do you like modern art? The museum district and the Museum of Applied Arts await you. Classical art? The pompous Museum of Classical Art is at the top of the list for Flemish and Dutch paintings. Would you rather relive the time of Empress Sissi? Be sure to set aside some time at the museum dedicated to her in the Hofburg, the former imperial palace. This large museum complex where the Habsburgs resided until 1918 remains the highlight of any visit to Vienna. The Sissi museum exhibits the furniture and personal objects of the empress. The imperial treasure rooms give a glimpse of the splendor of the Habsburg monarchy. On certain Sundays, it is also possible to attend a performance by the Spanish Riding School, where the famous Andalusian thoroughbreds, the Lipizzaners, perform. This show can be booked several weeks in advance.
Another imperial residence, Schönbrunn Palace, with its two million visitors, is the most popular monument in the country. It is in a way the Versailles of the Habsburgs, built for Empress Maria Theresa. It takes less than twenty minutes to reach it by subway. You can explore the apartments of the protagonists of Austrian history, Maria Theresa and Franz Joseph, as well as the Hall of Mirrors, which served as a ballroom during the incredible Congress of Vienna. The palace grounds offer a multitude of points of interest, from the beautiful view from the elegant gazebo overlooking the park, to the oldest zoo in Europe, to the majestic glass greenhouse, the Palmgarten, which is filled with exotic plants from every continent
Great music and culinary delights
It's easy to spend a weekend looking at the empire's masterpieces. But that's not all. No other city can boast of having shaped so many musical geniuses: Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, Strauss, to name but four. All have at least one monument to their glory
Taking a ticket for a concert is a good solution. Unless you prefer the theater. Or the opera. As far as cultural outings go, it's hard to beat that
A trip to Vienna is also a treat for the senses. Restaurants abound and cuisine is an indispensable part of the art of living. If you are wondering what the Viennese cuisine offers, beyond the famous Wiener Schnitzel, the capital has absorbed the best of the empire: Tafelspitz, Franz Josef's favorite dish, comes from Bohemia; Liptauer, the cheese spread that is not missing from any cold buffet, is spiced with Hungarian paprika. Even the Schnitzel is the national appropriation of the Milanese escalope. As a crossroads of Germanic and Slavic civilizations, Vienna claims cultural diversity. To feel the influence of the Balkans, go to the Naschmarkt, a popular market perpetually perfumed with oriental aromas. Vendors with Slavic accents will hand you zucchini and peppers with goat cheese. Delicious!
Vienna celebrates Christmas!
The Austrian capital is famous all over the world for its charming Christmas markets. And this reputation is not usurped! From mid-November onwards, the stalls take place in the city and usually remain in place until December 24. In Vienna, they are particularly aesthetic and specialized, each with a different character. The Rathausplatz market is the best known and largest. The Schönbrunn Palace Christmas Market will again be the most refined and artistic with its beautiful traditional handicraft stands. Children's workshops, concerts, handmade decoration stands, there is something for the whole family. You should also visit the Christmas village on the Maria-Theresien square for original gifts to put under the tree or the market of the Infant Jesus on the Freyung, which has been held every year since 1772. As you can see, Christmas and Advent in the Austrian capital are truly magical!
Smart info
When is Christmas? Vienna is at its most romantic in winter. The Christmas markets are held from mid-November to the end of December.
How to get there. It takes about two hours to fly from Paris
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