Strasbourg - at ease and at christmas
July 26th 2008 11:19
Right on the border just south of Saarbruecken, where I lived for a year in Germany, was France's town of Strasbourg. The name sounds vaguely Germany doesn't it? That's because when Saarbruecken was administered by the French, Strasbourg was administered by the Germans. Confusing? Yes, but that's European political history for you.
So, there is a lot of similarity between the two towns and both I really love. So much so, I went about three times for weekend trips during my stay and once more taking my current fiance in tow just after our trip in Peru.
Strasbourg is a pleasant little town, but is growing to be over-touristy and quite littered. However, there are always times when tourists are not around, that is either when spring just starts around March to May or in Autumn from September to November. Every other time, you are sure to be competing for space with everyone else from everywhere else in the world.
One way of seeing an overview of Strasbourg is to take a 2 hour river cruise up and around the town. The cruise has on board commentary in four languages: French, German, Japanese and English and takes you to popular tourist hangouts. It goes through one of the old 'water lifts' where the boat goes into a gate and they either fill it up with water or drain the water so the boat is going up or down stream vertically. The cruise also takes you past one of the EU parliments and some of the architecture with historic heritage linked with the area.
The rest of Strasbourg is easy to get around in their efficient trams as well as walking. If you are visiting one of the best tips I can give you is not to stick around the main tourist squares for meals. Walk a couple of blocks and find a nice little restaurant that will serve just as good a meal, and will be slightly less expensive. Do ask around before you wander because there is a population of gypsies in town whose art at pickpocketing is one of the best in the world.
So, what's at christmas that's so special I need to write about? Well, Strasbourg has kept its Germanic tradition of holding a christmas market each year, and is one of the most well known christmas markets around the region. The atmosphere is lively and there is so much vibe you would happily forget the cold and browse through many and many of the stalls for trinkets and gifts. Grab a cup of Gluehwein (Or Vine Chaud in French) - it's hot red wine boiled with yellow rock sugar, cinnamon and rum, and is sure to keep you warm and happy. Every half or every hour (I forgot) sit in front of the cathedral and watch the musical light show and simply just chill out (literally) and spend the night away.
On the cruise tour passing Petit France
So, there is a lot of similarity between the two towns and both I really love. So much so, I went about three times for weekend trips during my stay and once more taking my current fiance in tow just after our trip in Peru.
Strasbourg is a pleasant little town, but is growing to be over-touristy and quite littered. However, there are always times when tourists are not around, that is either when spring just starts around March to May or in Autumn from September to November. Every other time, you are sure to be competing for space with everyone else from everywhere else in the world.
This is an iconic housing for its windows. At a point in time they used to tax people by the number of windows they have so with this many windows, they have to have been wealthy. And you'll notice around town that people have in the past tried to brick off their windows so they don't have to pay so much tax!
One way of seeing an overview of Strasbourg is to take a 2 hour river cruise up and around the town. The cruise has on board commentary in four languages: French, German, Japanese and English and takes you to popular tourist hangouts. It goes through one of the old 'water lifts' where the boat goes into a gate and they either fill it up with water or drain the water so the boat is going up or down stream vertically. The cruise also takes you past one of the EU parliments and some of the architecture with historic heritage linked with the area.
The rest of Strasbourg is easy to get around in their efficient trams as well as walking. If you are visiting one of the best tips I can give you is not to stick around the main tourist squares for meals. Walk a couple of blocks and find a nice little restaurant that will serve just as good a meal, and will be slightly less expensive. Do ask around before you wander because there is a population of gypsies in town whose art at pickpocketing is one of the best in the world.
So, what's at christmas that's so special I need to write about? Well, Strasbourg has kept its Germanic tradition of holding a christmas market each year, and is one of the most well known christmas markets around the region. The atmosphere is lively and there is so much vibe you would happily forget the cold and browse through many and many of the stalls for trinkets and gifts. Grab a cup of Gluehwein (Or Vine Chaud in French) - it's hot red wine boiled with yellow rock sugar, cinnamon and rum, and is sure to keep you warm and happy. Every half or every hour (I forgot) sit in front of the cathedral and watch the musical light show and simply just chill out (literally) and spend the night away.
Welcome to the Christmas Market!
Have a cup of Gluehwein that comes in their own little Christmas Market mugs to keep you warm! (Yes, that's the stuff in that big pot!)
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