Strasbourg, France: Day 1
Many years ago, my husband had a work-related trip to Strasbourg and he took many photos as per my instructions. I was so jealous that I've been campaigning for a trip to Strasbourg ever since. And finally, my wish came true. After a 1.5-hour-drive from Heidelberg, we arrived in Strasbourg and my dream came true. My husband then looked at me and said, "You can stop nagging me about Strasbourg now."
Strasbourg is unique in the sense that it has changed its national identity five times. Before the 17th century, it was part of the Holy Roman Empire. In 1681, it was annexed by France. Then it was given to the German Empire in 1871. In 1918, it was returned to France after the WW I. Then in 1940 it was taken by Nazi Germany during the WW II. Finally, in 1944 it was liberated and returned to France where it remains today. Who knows when Germany and France will play pass the ball (Strasbourg) again.
This afternoon's stop in the Old Town was a perfunctory look-see at the Old Town as there is a scheduled guided tour the following day. Despite this, the Tour Manager had taken the time to walk us towards the center of the Old Town and from there we made our way through the alleys independently.
I must say the Strasbourg Old Town did not disappoint. It aimed to impress the first-time visitor, like me. The shops were transformed into an artistic Christmas wonderland. Every doorway featured unique displays, ranging from whimsical stuffed toys to classic Christmas balls. Because each detail was styled with impeccable taste, the streets felt incredibly charming. The festive atmosphere was palpable, perfectly capturing the magic and spirit of the holiday season. I was in heaven.
The Ill River runs through the old town of Strasbourg.
I lost count of the patisseries/boulangeries we passed. I could just watch from the window and salivate.
The confiserie/cholaterie shops necessitated a closer look. Many of the shops didn't allow photography.
My friend wanted to sample the crepe.
Across from the creperie is this shop that sold stollens and that's the store I was looking for. We brought some home to savor during Christmas.
We were intrigued by these "dolls" on the window that we had to go inside the gift shop and learned that these were umbrellas that were folded. How cute are they?!
And of course, the main attraction to me is the Notre Dame Cathedral, which serves as a landmark of the city and is a must-see for its historical significance and stunning architectural detail. The cathedral is also part of the guided tour the following day.
You can see stalls in front of the church for the upcoming Christmas Market.
At the time of visit, there was a staff that controlled the flow of people going in.
The stunning rose window is a 13th-century Gothic masterpiece created by architect Erwin von Steinbach. . Measuring 15 meters in diameter, it uniquely features carved ears of wheat instead of religious figures, symbolizing the city's medieval wealth. The rose window is so iconic you can see it on souvenir bags, shirts, etc.
Another reason to visit the cathedral is the astronimical clock. Dating back to 1842, it features animated automatons that perform daily, including a procession of apostles at 12:30 p.m. A minimal fee is collected to see the clock show. We got to see the show the next day.
There is an area of the Old Town where there is an explosion of colors. I believe the flowers were mums. It was packed with people trying to get the best spot for a selfie. On the way back it was all empty, the crowd has left, and it's time for me to photograph it. Serendipitously, Starbucks is next to it, because my friend collects the mugs from every place she goes.
The dinner was 3-course meal included in the tour. We had a satisfying Day 4 where I ticked two off my bucket list - Heidelberg and Strasbourg.
The Ill River runs through the old town of Strasbourg.
I lost count of the patisseries/boulangeries we passed. I could just watch from the window and salivate.
The confiserie/cholaterie shops necessitated a closer look. Many of the shops didn't allow photography.
My friend wanted to sample the crepe.
Across from the creperie is this shop that sold stollens and that's the store I was looking for. We brought some home to savor during Christmas.
We were intrigued by these "dolls" on the window that we had to go inside the gift shop and learned that these were umbrellas that were folded. How cute are they?!
And of course, the main attraction to me is the Notre Dame Cathedral, which serves as a landmark of the city and is a must-see for its historical significance and stunning architectural detail. The cathedral is also part of the guided tour the following day.
You can see stalls in front of the church for the upcoming Christmas Market.
At the time of visit, there was a staff that controlled the flow of people going in.
The stunning rose window is a 13th-century Gothic masterpiece created by architect Erwin von Steinbach. . Measuring 15 meters in diameter, it uniquely features carved ears of wheat instead of religious figures, symbolizing the city's medieval wealth. The rose window is so iconic you can see it on souvenir bags, shirts, etc.
Another reason to visit the cathedral is the astronimical clock. Dating back to 1842, it features animated automatons that perform daily, including a procession of apostles at 12:30 p.m. A minimal fee is collected to see the clock show. We got to see the show the next day.
There is an area of the Old Town where there is an explosion of colors. I believe the flowers were mums. It was packed with people trying to get the best spot for a selfie. On the way back it was all empty, the crowd has left, and it's time for me to photograph it. Serendipitously, Starbucks is next to it, because my friend collects the mugs from every place she goes.
The dinner was 3-course meal included in the tour. We had a satisfying Day 4 where I ticked two off my bucket list - Heidelberg and Strasbourg.
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