Eguisheim, France

South of Colmar, about 15 minutes is the cute town of Eguishem where everything is out of a storybook.  The houses are painted bright colors, the flower boxes are filled with every type of flower imaginable, and storks are flying high in the air.

The charming streets that encircle the center of town was once a moat; I could definitely walk in circles all day looking at the half-timbered charm.  

Again, nothing but winding streets, but I don't care I could walk this cobble stone all day!

This was my favorite street, which way do we go?  Either way is a pretty street!

Such beautifully colored homes, I got a little snap happy and took lots of pictures of them, and of Jordan.

I want one of these houses! They are characterized by their stone ground floors that are good for supporting a timber frame.  Up until the 16th century the half-timbered houses were soberly colored, and in the 17th century windows were enlarged, wooden carved embellishments added, and the wealthiest owners had pastel colored fronts.

Windows with so much charm...it hurts!

 I want to order some of these for our future home, flowers, hearts and all.

We were in search to see one of the 20 "tithe" courtyards.  They were farms or courtyards that belonged to the nobility richly endowed with vineyards and land.  They were a place for sales, barter and exchange, weights and measures, taxation and management of production. Looks like a pretty place to do business if you ask me.

This was my favorite house of the day, where Belle lived from Beauty and the Beast.

And this is probably where her neighbors lived...

One of the popular figures of the region is the stork.  They were everywhere, on magnets, postcards, dolls, and if you look close enough you can even spot some in real life.  Perched up on top of the peaked roofs are HUGE nests with real storks in them!  The nest on the right had some little babies in it.

In the center of the town square is a mini-castle and 13th century Neo-Romanesque style chapel. Can you spot two storks? 

You can't go into the castle, because someone actually live in it (how cool) but we went up to the chapel where we were surprised to see the most gorgeous flowers being protected by the old wall. 

 Had to stop and smell them...

St. Leo IX, the Alsatian pope from Eguisheim is in the center of the square, decorating the fountain. 

Please tell me you see the resemblance here between Disney and real life?!?

We did a little hike up to castle ruins to help us work up our appetites for dinner. We passed by homes with their own private wineries.

Beautiful flowers, I wonder why she is chasing the geese...Maybe to make some of America's most controversial food: Foie Gras?!

Alas, we summit the old ruins Les Trois Chateaux du Haut Eguisheim

We came back down for dinner at a wonderful restaurant for classical Alastian cuisine.  Auberge du Rempart is the type of restaurant where after you take the first bite of anything you say, wow that is so good. 

As we sat down for dinner I thought: "Never stop dating your spouse", especially when they let you eat whatever you like off the menu!

For a starter we had Foie Gras.  We had to get it since it is illegal in California because it is considered "animal cruelty" but it was SO delicious, sweet and homemade. 

 ...mmmm look at that duck liver with marmalade

I am seriously SO happy in this moment

For dinner we had:

Baeckeoffe: A pork roast in sliced potatoes slow cooked all day in a Riesling white wine sauce

 Jambone chouroute: A sauerkraut and bacon quiche in the most delicious flakey crust.

...and for dessert, well warm chocolate cake, vanilla ice cream and whipped cream of course!

Okay Eguisheim, I loved visiting you for all you had to offer, now that we are in a food coma we gotta go rest it off until tomorrow!