Hôtel des Deux-Ponts

The Hôtel des Deux-Ponts stands on Place Broglie, on the Grande Île in the historic heart of Strasbourg.

What exactly is the Hôtel des Deux-Ponts?

Despite its name, this is not a hotel where travelers can book a room. In French, "hôtel" also describes a grand townhouse, and that's what this building is — a stately mansion once known as the Hôtel Gayot. Today it serves as the official residence of the local military garrison commander, hence its other name, Hôtel du gouverneur militaire. Since 1921 it has held the status of monument historique, France's legal designation for buildings recognized as part of the national architectural heritage.

Where is it located within Strasbourg?

You'll find it facing Place Broglie, one of the city's grand historic squares, right in the middle of the Grande Île — the river-island old town that UNESCO has listed as a World Heritage Site in its entirety. Walking distance from here gets you to Strasbourg Cathedral, the picturesque Petite France district, and the Opéra national du Rhin, which also sits on Place Broglie. For anyone navigating by GPS, the coordinates sit around 48.5851°N, 7.75188°E.

Can visitors go inside?

No. Because the building currently functions as an official military residence, it isn't open to the public as a museum or heritage site would be. What visitors experience is the exterior — best appreciated by simply crossing Place Broglie on foot. The square itself rewards a slow walk, lined as it is with elegant townhouses, the city hall, and the opera house, all part of the same protected streetscape.

Why does it matter to a visitor strolling through?

Its monument historique status, granted back in 1921, signals that French heritage authorities considered the building significant enough to protect legally — a recognition tied to its architectural and historical value rather than to public access. For travelers exploring Place Broglie, the building is one more reason the square, and the Grande Île around it, earned a place on the UNESCO World Heritage list: the mix of period façades tells the story of Strasbourg's civic architecture as much as any single monument does.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Hôtel des Deux-Ponts an actual hotel where I can stay? No. Despite the name, it's a historic mansion that now serves as the residence of the military garrison's governor — it offers no accommodation.

Where exactly is the building located? On Place Broglie, on the Grande Île, in Strasbourg's historic center, surrounded by other landmark buildings facing the same square.

Is the building protected as a heritage site? Yes, it has been listed as a monument historique since 1921, France's register for architecturally and historically significant structures.

Can I go inside to see it? No, since it functions as an official residence, visitors can only view it from the outside, from Place Broglie.