Strasbourg, France

It’s my last full day in Strasbourg and I have to say I have enjoyed it so much. It’s been a great relaxing break from the hectic crowds of Paris - although I do still love Paris. And the weather has been fantastic. Bright blue sky everyday and not too bad with the heat. The two things mainly on my list today were to visit the huge cathedral and do one museum. There are 6 museums here that all sounded good but here’s a shock - I’m only up to see one! What’s wrong with me? I’m learning to relax I guess🤷🏼‍♀️

This is my best attempt at getting a picture of the Strasbourg Cathedral - Cathédrale de Notre-Dame. It’s enormous! And what you can’t see from the front is that it extends for about a block. It was begun in 1176 and completed in 1439. The tower is 466 feet - the tallest spire in the world until the mid-1800’s. It has a unique lacy see-through design and the dark red stone is from the northern Vosges Mountains.

It has beautiful stained glass windows, a rose window with wheat symbolizing their fertile land, an exquisite gold-leafed organ and an enormous wide center aisle.

It also has something very unique. An astronomical clock! Enormous and dates from the 1500’s and still is totally accurate. Every quarter hour the bells ring and a stage of life parades past the grim reaper. Kind of scary that I get closer to the grim reaper everyday😱

Maybe it’s time to think about going home. This was my lunch today. It’s a slippery slope! Why the pretzels? They bring them automatically. Maybe to balance out the sugar? Covering all the food groups😂

On the way to the museum I chose I saw a few fun things. Looks to me like Barbie has her own boat here!

The Customs House where all the river trading occurred. A great picture of one of the pretty bridges with gorgeous flowers that are so numerous. Also bikes. So many bikes here but unlike in Paris where the bikers adhere to the stoplights they do not here so watch out!

Second stop was the Alsatian Museum. Got the senior discount so quite a bargain! It’s in one of Strasbourg’s oldest and most traditional houses and presents an extensive collection of Alsatian folk art, furniture, toys, clothing, culture and history. I really loved all the painted furniture. And all apparently easy to deconstruct and reconstruct- so IKEA before IKEA I guess.

No surprise but I especially loved the detailed description of how half-timbered homes are constructed. Feeding my obsession of them as I try to photograph every single one I see. Just like the furniture the house could be dismantled and built again in a new location. After putting in the wood beams the spaces between were filled with straw, mud and water. Cheap to build.

One more pretty pic of the colored homes along the canal.

It’s my last night so decided to treat myself to a nice dinner. I did some research and this place got great reviews. I was a bit nervous as everything I read said a reservation was essential but figured it was worth a try. I put on a dress and got there about 15 minutes before they opened and the owner told me he had one table remaining and it was mine. Lucky! So I came back when they opened and he wasn’t kidding. I saw them turn away people every few minutes. I had a lovely dinner of salmon in a delicious sauce and a nice glass of Pinot Gris sitting outside in a sweet courtyard. Now that I know it’s the wine they make the most of in this area it’s my new favorite.

Well Strasbourg you have made it into my heart. I have loved my time here in the Alsace Province and highly recommend it. Tomorrow I’m heading back to Paris for a few more days. Now I need to make my list of what I must do when I’m there. There are always so many choices. Au revoir Strasbourg💕