This weekend, you may come across people from Zurich in historical costume, boats on the Ill and even a public serving of millet porridge in central Strasbourg. It is all part of the Hirsebreifahrt, an unusual tradition linking Strasbourg and Zurich that only takes place every ten years.
On Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 August 2026, Strasbourg will celebrate 570 years of friendship with Zurich through a series of events across the city.
What is the Hirsebreifahrt?
The Hirsebreifahrt, which can be translated as the “millet porridge journey”, dates back to 1456. Strasbourg and Zurich had just entered into a mutual defence agreement. To prove that they could reach their allies quickly if needed, a group of young men from Zurich travelled down the Rhine in less than 24 hours carrying a pot of hot millet porridge.
The feat was repeated in 1576 during a major shooting competition held in Strasbourg. This time, 45 men covered nearly 200 kilometres before reaching the Pont-aux-Chats in the evening with the porridge still hot. This is the episode that left the strongest mark on the city, notably through the Zurich Fountain and the remains of the famous pot now kept at the Historical Museum.
Why is the Hirsebreifahrt back in 2026?
Since 1946, the Hirsebreifahrt has been organised every ten years. Crews from Zurich regularly set off for Strasbourg again to keep this long-standing friendship between the two cities alive.
The 2026 edition is particularly symbolic, as it marks 570 years since the alliance signed in 1456 between Strasbourg and Zurich. Participants left Zurich on Wednesday 19 August and are making their way towards Strasbourg in stages along the Rhine. Their arrival is scheduled for Saturday afternoon in the city centre.
Saturday 22 August, the boats arrive in Strasbourg
This is the main event of the weekend. The boats are due to arrive at Place du Marché-aux-Poissons (where the Batorama boats depart from) at 3.45 pm, following a concert by the Zurich brass band from 3.15 pm. The famous millet porridge will then be handed over and served to the public.
At around 5 pm, the participants will set off in historical costume through the city centre towards the Town Hall.
At the same time, Place Gutenberg will host tourist stands and children’s activities from 2 pm to 6 pm. A free guided tasting of Swiss and Alsatian wines is also planned between 2 pm and 3.30 pm.
Sunday 23 August, water jousting and a shooting competition
The celebrations continue on Sunday morning with several events directly linked to the history of the Hirsebreifahrt.
At 9.30 am, shooters from Zurich will face the Racing Club de Strasbourg at the Baggersee shooting range. From 10 am, water jousting will take place on the Ill near Quai au Sable, weather permitting.
The Zurich brass band will also perform on Place Gutenberg at 10.30 am, while the tourist stands and family activities will remain open until 5 pm.
Guided tours to understand the story behind the Hirsebreifahrt
The weekend is also a good opportunity to discover the traces this history has left across Strasbourg.
The Historical Museum will be exceptionally free on both Saturday and Sunday. It houses the remains of the famous Zurich millet pot. Several activities are planned, including the guided visit The Rhine, between brotherhood and division at 2.30 pm on both days, as well as Picnic for Zurich’s little ones for families.
The Strasbourg Tourist Office is also offering a guided tour of the city’s “Swiss Quarter” at 5 pm on Saturday and Sunday. The route includes the Zurich Fountain and several Art Deco buildings linked to Strasbourg’s long relationship with Switzerland. The price is €5 and booking is recommended.
Finally, the exhibition Strasbourg and Switzerland – 570 years of friendship and solidarity can be seen until Sunday 23 August in the Salle Conrath at the Town Hall.
If you only have time for one part of the weekend, I would clearly recommend the arrival of the boats on Saturday at around 3.45 pm at Place du Marché-aux-Poissons. If the story intrigues you, continue afterwards with a visit to the Historical Museum or the guided tour of the Swiss Quarter.
