Kehl & Strasbourg (The Rhine Border)

The Flight Experience This is one of the most politically and geographically interesting photogrammetry regions in Europe. You are effectively flying over two nations at once: the historic French city of Strasbourg on the west bank and the German town of Kehl on the east, separated only by the wide, grey ribbon of the Rhine River.

The area sits in the heart of the Upper Rhine Plain. For VFR pilots, this offers a massive, flat corridor for easy navigation, but it is dramatically framed by the dark, wooded hills of the Black Forest (Schwarzwald) to the east and the Vosges Mountains to the west. Flying here offers a mix of dense medieval autogen, complex modern EU architecture, and scenic river running.

Visual Highlights

• Strasbourg Cathedral: This is the absolute monarch of the skyline. Its massive single spire (made of pink sandstone) rises 142 meters high. It is rendered in exceptional detail in modern sims, visible from miles away as you approach from the German side.

• The European Parliament: Located in the "European Quarter" near the river, the Louise Weiss Building is a stunning piece of modern architecture. Its circular, glass-heavy design looks fantastic from the air and contrasts sharply with the old timber-framed houses of the city center.

• Grande Île: The historic center of Strasbourg is an island surrounded by the River Ill. From 1,500ft, the specific shape of the island and its tight network of canals (Petite France) are clearly distinguishable.

• Passerelle des Deux Rives: Keep an eye out for this double-suspension pedestrian bridge that physically connects the public parks of Strasbourg and Kehl across the Rhine—a symbol of the open border.

Pilot’s Note: Fly the "Institutions Tour." Depart from Strasbourg-Entzheim (LFST) and head northeast. Follow the river Ill to the Cathedral, orbit it once, then head east to the Rhine. Fly low over the European Parliament building, cross the water into German airspace over Kehl, and turn south to follow the Rhine toward the distant Black Forest hills.