Blogs from Strasbourg, Alsace, France, Europe - page 2

Friday 15th to Sunday 17th June Besancon We have enjoyed a city break over the last three days. The old town of Besancon nestles in a loop of the Doubs River, surrounded by hills and dominated by the rocky outcrop upon which stands the impressive citadel designed by Vauban. We spent a day exploring the well preserved citadel which houses several museums covering the history of the citadel, local life and a museum of French Resistance and Deportation. The citadel was occupied by the Germans in the Second World War and 100 Frenchmen were executed within its walls for being part of the french resistance. The citadel also has a small zoo, insectarium and aquarium. We had a day exploring the city itself which is very charming. It was home to many famous people; Victor Hugo ... read more

Nach dem gestrigen Tag, der doch etwas vollgepackt war, habe ich es heute locker angehen lassen. Ich bin vor allem in der Altstadt, auch Grande Ile genannt, da sie von der Ill und einem Kanal begrenzt wird, herum gelaufen. Hier dominieren wieder deutsche Fachwerkhäuser. Ein französischer Bekannter in Berlin hat mir mal gesagt, die Architektur im Elsass wäre etwas komisch für Frankreich. Ich habe ihm erwidert, das liegt daran, dass sie wie viele Ortsnamen deutsch ist. Ich bin also vom Hotel die Grand Rue entlang zum Place Gutenberg und weiter zur Kathedrale. Ich habe ja schon viele dieser Art gesehen. Von dort bin ich weiter zum Palais Rohan und habe dort eines der drei Museen besichtigt. Weiter ging es zu einem kleinen Restaurant im Zentrum, wo ich einen Tisch reserviert hatte. So kurz nach dem Frühstück ... read more

Strasbourg, also known as Capitale De Noel (Christmas Capital) is a must visit around the winter festive period. We visited during the Xmas break of 2017. The timing could have been better, as we were bang in the middle of the holiday period from Xmas eve to St. Stephen's day (celebrated on 26th of December in Alsace region). The shops were closed and many were resting at home spending time with their families. Yet, we found our own ways to walk around and explore. From Paris, we took the rather long and tiring bus route to Strasbourg on the 24th of December. If we are to go there again, we would either drive or take a train. On reaching Strasbourg around 5 PM, we rushed to the famous Christmas Market to explore it as much as ... read more

À quelques pas de l'Allemagne, Strasbourg offre aux amants des belles villes, les clichés de l'Alsace que l'on reconnait à l'influence germanique: architecture chargée, art de vivre légendaire, bières et vins blancs qui accompagnent dignement spécialités de choucroutes et tartes flambées! C'est aussi le charme incomparable de son centre historique animé et des maisons bourgeoises à colombages qui se dressent partout dans la ville. C'est sa cathédrale gothique millénaire imposant ses 142 mètres de hauteur qui est le point central et culminant de la ville. Elle défend jalousement le gigantisme de sa structure et la délicatesse de ses dentelles sculptées dans la pierre rouge ce qui lui confère amplement son titre de plus haute cathédrale de France après celle de Rouen et la deuxième plus visitée après Notre-Dame de Paris. En ressortant de l'église, la rue ... read more

Charming Alsace. Can we move here? Can we? Can we? ?? M U L H O U S E Based for 4 lovely days in Obernai, we drove up and down La Route des Vins, admiring the endless, rolling vineyards, the mesmerizing villages, taking photos, buying tons of souvenirs and eating many Tartes Flambées☺! We visited Mulhouse last as it is at the very end of La Route des Vins and dedicated Strasbourg a whole day. These two cosmopolitan cities, jam packed with tourists as expected are a nice blending of old and new, modern and traditional, quaint and en vogue! The sun was setting when we got to the town square of Mulhouse after a long day sightseeing. A band was performing live and playing old and new covers. I had a lush strawberry mojito ... read more