Enjoyment for everyone: Saarbrücken

Saarbrücken is a friendly city with a vibrant cultural scene, baroque architecture and a French ambiance combined with the joie de vivre of the Saarland. This state capital, university city, economic hub and trade fair venue is situated at the centre of a region that is home to half a million people and spans three countries. If you are looking for an easygoing, relaxed and cheerful destination, Saarbrücken is the place to visit.

Delightful districts and the Saarbrücken way of life

Saarbrücken's 1,000-year history has been an eventful one. Wonderful baroque buildings created by Friedrich Joachim Stengel, such as the palace and those around Schlossplatz square, bear witness to the town's heyday in the 18th century. The palace affords the most spectacular views of a city where Stengel's influence is still evident today. Ludwigskirche church is widely regarded as the pinnacle of his achievements and one of Germany's purest examples of a Protestant baroque church. Other attractions include the neo-Gothic town hall, the mining headquarters, which were designed by Walter Gropius and Heino Schmieden, and St. John's Church – a basilica minor designed by Stengel.

St. Johanner Markt square, surrounded by boutiques, bistros, restaurants and picturesque narrow lanes, is the heart of Saarbrücken and the ideal place to stroll around or relax and watch the world go by. The market fountain, also a 'Stengel', is the focal point of the attractive pedestrian area. A 15-minute or so walk from here takes you to the oldest part of Saarbrücken, St. Arnual and its Gothic collegiate church from the 13th century, which is set amidst late-medieval houses. All the districts, from Mainzer Strasse to Nauwieser Viertel, are all as tranquil as they are delightful and have plenty of pretty beer gardens and culinary finesse with a hint of France combined with the region's own particular style. "Hauptsach' gudd gess" (the main thing is to have eaten well) as the people of Saarbrücken would say – and that really says it all.

Cultural life: great names and a high calibre

Art lovers will be enchanted by Saarbrücken, especially if they visit the Saarland Museum. Its Modern Gallery is one of the most absorbing in Germany and includes works by Rodin, Matisse, Liebermann, Picasso, Ernst, Kirchner and Feininger – to name but a few. One of the key pieces is Franz Marc's world-famous 'The Little Blue Horse'. Plays and ballet can be seen at the State Theatre venues and on smaller stages.

There is also a thriving variety and music scene. Venues include the Small Theatre in the town hall and the Sommerszene festival, which features international street performers. Every June, the Franco-German Perspectives festival stages new forms of contemporary theatre, plus dance, circus acts and chanson française – all of the highest calibre. The biennial Saar Music Festival is organised in cooperation with the Saarland, Rhineland-Palatinate, Lorraine and Luxembourg regions and focuses on the music of a different European country each time. On Sundays between June and August, the palace hosts open-air concerts featuring international folk music, rock, chanson, blues and jazz, while 'Kultur für Kids' offers up theatre, music, clowns and mime.

Relaxation in the fresh air in Saarbrücken's green lungs

Besides its architecture, culture and festivals, Saarbrücken is a leafy city with plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities. Its beautiful green spaces include the palace gardens, the Franco-German Garden and the banks of the river Saar, which attract joggers, sunbathers and leisurely strollers. "Hauptsach' entspannt" (the main thing is to relax) could almost be the city's second motto.