Strasbourg, France

Our FIRST adventure and travel to France was to Strasbourg. This French City is located in Alsace and is only about a three our drive from our home in Germany.

We started out at “Oh-Dark-Thirty” so as to beat the traffic on the German Autobahns. Just before the border of France, we saw signs for a local Saturday flea market. Since we made good travel time, we decided to stop and see what “treasures” the market had to offer.

My husband, ever on the hunt for militaria, found a vendor with some excellent old photographs of German soldiers, circa 1930’s to 1940’s. For myself, I found a couple of pieces of the Bavarian White porcelain of which I can never have enough! With my limited Deutesche and even less spoken French, I managed...or so I thought to haggle for good prices!

Then it was on to Strasbourg. which was only about 10 minutes away from the flea market location.

As this was a “Day Trip” we decided to head straight for Strasbourg’s Notre Dame, which was located in the center of the town. This Cathedral was the touted to be the tallest structure in Christendom until the 19th century when the Cathedrals in Ulm and Cologne were built. We were very much amazed at the intricate carvings and “lace-like” appearance of the stenciled arcades! The interior of the Cathedral contains many beautiful pieces of artwork, stained glass windows, and Angelic carvings. There is even the famous Astronomical Clock located inside the south side of the Cathedral. This clock has a Copernican planetary system as well as an ecclesiastical calendar! Everyday at 1230, automated figures from within the clock, parade before those who are watching. These figures parade before Christ who blesses them three times before blessing the crowd. There are other wonderful attributes to this clock and we are still amazed at how such an item could have been built during the late 16th century! Being adventurous (?)...we decided to climb the 300+ steps to the viewing platform! After MANY rests on our way to the top, we were not disappointed with the view that awaited us once we reached the platform! Quelle vue à voir ! (What a sight to behold!) The entire city view was ours!

After our descent from the Cathedral’s viewing platform, we decided to get a bite to eat and chose a bistro which offered outside seating affording us a view of passersby. Now you would think since we were in France that we would pick dishes that were peculiar to the region...well, we did and we didn’t! My husband dined on scallops served over a pasta and I chose (you will love this!), Quiche Lorraine! But...I must say the dishes we chose were delectable! Si manifique! The Quiche melted in my mouth as did the crust! Between the wine, the bread, the salad and the main course for lunch...we even “forced” ourselves to stop about fifteen minutes AFTER the meal to have Cappuccino and desserts!

Of course, we had to “walk” off the lunch and desserts and Strasbourg is exactly the city in which to do this. Strasbourg was built over the Ill River. There are canals, which are “tributaries” of the Ill. These canals run thru Strasbourg and offer viewers the opportunity to view the city as it should be seen—on foot. We crossed the canals/river through Ponts Couvert (covered bridges), we strolled thru Petit France. Many of the small doorways on the residences and buisinesses have dates etched above the archways. Some that we saw were 1597, 1572, etc. The Ponts Couvert and the four towers which were a part of the City's fortification built in about 1230-1250. Four of the 80 towers are still standing and are in perfect condition!

Our day was coming to an end and what better way to finish our walking tour of the City than to have “One for the Road”!!! No! Not alcohol...but some refreshing mineral water!

We will definitely return to this beautiful city that reminded us so much of Venice—only on our next return...we will stay a little longer so that we may linger over more wine and more local cuisine!