Strasbourg
Strasbourg was only a 45 minute drive away from Gérardmer but seemed worlds away in terms of traffic. We had liked the quiet roads of the Vosges mountains and so getting used to the volume of traffic on the short stretch of motorway approaching the city demanded a lot more concentration especially because my sat nav app decided to offer some confusing directions. Eventually, after seeing the same section of motorway twice, we arrived in the relative tranquility of the hotel car park. Even though it was 11.00 am we were checked in early and given a top floor room with views over the city.
In no time at all we had hopped on a tram and made our way into the old town. Strasbourg's centre is a compact area crammed with picturesque colourful medieval buildings. It sits on a island in the river Ill, a tributary of the Rhine and the old centre is full of cobbled streets, beautiful medieval buildings many decorated with flower boxes and, at the centre, is a magnificent gothic Cathedral, Notre Dame. The outside is a riot of sandstone carving, with flying buttresses, gargoyles stain glass windows and an intricate spire. There's too much for the eyes to take in and I suspect one could spend hours simply standing and looking up at the detail created by the masons and craftsmen of the middle ages - although the penance for giving in to this pleasure might be a very stiff neck!
It would be very easy to spend an afternoon simply wandering around the narrow cobbled street of Strasbourg - and that is what we did - after a substantial lunch including, for Mrs B. a mini Kugelhopf, an Alsace cake baked in a bundt tin, (the recipe is essentially a sweetened bread dough with added raisins). I settled for an apple slice and for both of us our cakes were preceded by substantial slices of quiche.
We needed to walk after this lunch and made our way to what is probably the most photographed part of Strasbourg, Petit France. This area is full of colourful old timber framed buildings that sit aside one of the arms of the river that splits into two to encircle the old city.
We wandered through the beautiful streets and found our way to St Thomas' Church.
Although somewhat plain on the outside the church contained an organ played by Mozart and some interesting carvings. An afternoon of rambling through streets and alongside the river continued with every corner throwing up delights.
Eventually our tired legs returned us to Notre Dame and there was time for a look inside. The cathedral has an astronomical clock, around 500 years old, a masterpiece of engineering and design. Despite being covered with scaffolding for much needed restoration work it was still possible to admire the skill and artistry that had gone into its creation as well as the beautiful light created by the stained glass throughout.
After many miles of walking our legs decided enough was enough and we took the tram back to our hotel to recharge our batteries. However before the evening was out I had persuaded Mrs B to walk round the block to see the European Parliament building. It seemed somehow appropriate on a Brexit Exit tour! I had seen photographs of this building but was surprised to find it at the bottom of someones garden. I couldn't help wondering what the occupants view had been like before it was built!
We called it a day after this final little exploration, having packed a lot into our brief time in Strasbourg, a city that invites superlatives and is definitely in the frame for a return visit.
Watching the sun set over the rooftops of the old town from our hotel window was a lovely end to a tiring but rather wonderful day. In the morning we were crossing the border, our time in France having come to an end. It was time to get to know Germany.
In no time at all we had hopped on a tram and made our way into the old town. Strasbourg's centre is a compact area crammed with picturesque colourful medieval buildings. It sits on a island in the river Ill, a tributary of the Rhine and the old centre is full of cobbled streets, beautiful medieval buildings many decorated with flower boxes and, at the centre, is a magnificent gothic Cathedral, Notre Dame. The outside is a riot of sandstone carving, with flying buttresses, gargoyles stain glass windows and an intricate spire. There's too much for the eyes to take in and I suspect one could spend hours simply standing and looking up at the detail created by the masons and craftsmen of the middle ages - although the penance for giving in to this pleasure might be a very stiff neck!
It would be very easy to spend an afternoon simply wandering around the narrow cobbled street of Strasbourg - and that is what we did - after a substantial lunch including, for Mrs B. a mini Kugelhopf, an Alsace cake baked in a bundt tin, (the recipe is essentially a sweetened bread dough with added raisins). I settled for an apple slice and for both of us our cakes were preceded by substantial slices of quiche.
 |
| Kugelhopf |
We needed to walk after this lunch and made our way to what is probably the most photographed part of Strasbourg, Petit France. This area is full of colourful old timber framed buildings that sit aside one of the arms of the river that splits into two to encircle the old city.
 |
| In Petit France, Strasbourg |
We wandered through the beautiful streets and found our way to St Thomas' Church.
 |
| Inside St. Thomas's Church, Strasbourg. The organ played by Mozart. |
Eventually our tired legs returned us to Notre Dame and there was time for a look inside. The cathedral has an astronomical clock, around 500 years old, a masterpiece of engineering and design. Despite being covered with scaffolding for much needed restoration work it was still possible to admire the skill and artistry that had gone into its creation as well as the beautiful light created by the stained glass throughout.
 |
| The Astronomical Clock, Strasbourg Cathedral |
After many miles of walking our legs decided enough was enough and we took the tram back to our hotel to recharge our batteries. However before the evening was out I had persuaded Mrs B to walk round the block to see the European Parliament building. It seemed somehow appropriate on a Brexit Exit tour! I had seen photographs of this building but was surprised to find it at the bottom of someones garden. I couldn't help wondering what the occupants view had been like before it was built!
 |
| The European Parliament at the bottom of someone's garden. |
We called it a day after this final little exploration, having packed a lot into our brief time in Strasbourg, a city that invites superlatives and is definitely in the frame for a return visit.
Watching the sun set over the rooftops of the old town from our hotel window was a lovely end to a tiring but rather wonderful day. In the morning we were crossing the border, our time in France having come to an end. It was time to get to know Germany.
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