Germany’s shining star in the state of Saarland, the capital city of Saarbrücken thrives as an economic, political and cultural centre near the border of France. With the vivacity of a high-tech university town and deep roots reflected in widespread Baroque architecture, the cultural emphasis in Saarbrücken life impacts the entire metropolitan area.

Visitors and locals in Saarbrücken naturally gravitate toward St. Johanner Markt square, chock-full of charming French-style boutiques and bistros dotting narrow lanes and twisting alleyways. People-watching tourists flock to the central fountain, an obelisk Baroque structure created by architect Friedrich Joachim Stengel, designer of the Saarbrücken Castle and historical buildings around Schlossplatz square. Tourists take leisurely strolls along the banks of the River Saar or admire green spaces such as the Franco-German Gardens, a 50-hectare park with a narrow-gauge railway, cable car and an impressive collection of cafes and restaurants.

Drivers access sections of Saarbrücken from Autobahn 6 near the French border, but walking is a popular way to get around within the compact city centre. An extensive public transportation system includes city buses and a widely used tram line. Regional buses service Saarbrücken Airport, about 15 kilometres from the city centre, and direct trains connect to Frankfurt and Paris.

Saarbrücken Castle began as a fortress, replaced with a Renaissance-type castle in the early 1600s, which was torn down in 1738 to create the Baroque castle by Stengel. With periodic renovations, it now houses the Saarland Regional Museum of History. Even older structures in Saarbrücken include the Old Bridge, commissioned in 1546 by Holy Roman Emperor Charles V.