Strasbourg, France

Alas, our last town of the weekend full of French fun ends in Strasbourg (if you wonder where we have been this weekend see posts on: Colmar, Eguisheim and the Alsatian Wine Route).  We ended at Strasbourg, the official seat of the European Parliament garnished in Franco-German culture, design and feel.   We scored a pretty "pretty" parking spot along the waters edge, what a lovely day!

I love these homes along the river banks, they remind me of Amsterdam

and the carousels, think they let big kids ride?

These were our favorite things to see in Strasbourg:

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1. Cathédrale Notre Dame

The Cathédrale Notre Dame is the city's main landmark.   It was built between the 12th and 15th century from a beautiful pink sandstone, and in a classic Gothic style.  We could see it's single spire driving into the town and it can actually be seen all throughout the town-it's a great landmark.

The inside is pretty beautiful too!

The organ is so high, it must make for some pretty good acoustics

Amazing stain glass, it was taken down during WW2 by the Nazis and hidden in a salt mine, later to be rescued by the Monuments Men. 

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2. Strasbourg Anatomical Clock

Okay clock lovers this is amazing, and even if you aren't a clock lover, it is still amazing.  The clock dates back to 1843 and has so many features.  Besides the automata, there is a perpetual calendar, an orrery (planetary dial), a display of the real position of the Sun and the Moon, and the solar and lunar eclipses.

The main attraction is the procession of Christ and the Apostles figurines, which happens every day at 12:30PM. 

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3. La Petite France

La Petite France is a charming quarter, it was where Strasbourg's tradespeople (tanners, millers, and fishermen) once lived.  It's a charming area laced with canals, crowned with half-timbered homes, carpeted with cobblestones, and has lots of cafes to sit and enjoy a treat. 

 !Totally digging this piece of art!

We sat at a cafe and enjoyed a tarte flambee and people watched

What a wonderful weekend, a touch of France was just what we needed!