I’ve wanted to visit Strasbourg for several years, a charming town in the Alsace region along the Rhine River. Since it’s perfectly positioned on the French-German border, it was easy to stop here after walking around Heidelberg.
After checking into our hotel, we unloaded our things and started walking towards the old town, known as Petite France.
There was plenty to see along the way, such as the opera house and a statue of Johannes Gutenberg, inventor of the printing press, who lived in Strasbourg in the 1440s.
The Cathédrale Notre-Dame is exceptionally beautiful, and though it was closing when we first walked by, we decided to visit it the next morning.
The architecture in Petite France looks like it was lifted straight from a fairy tale.
Everything about this area was exactly what I hoped it would be. I mean, look at those flower boxes and cobblestone streets!
We walked along and over the canals, weaving through the streets, until everyone was hungry and desperate for a meal.
Look at this good pup! Jackson and I really enjoyed all the dogs we saw in Europe enjoying their lives with their humans. One thing I love about much of Europe is how dogs are welcomed in shops and restaurants. When we lived in Germany, we took our dog, Peanut, everywhere.
My favorite travel buddy:
The next morning, we asked for a late check-out so we could visit the cathedral before driving south to Hésingue. Totally worth it.
But first, a tiny espresso:
The line was long when we arrived, but it moved quickly and efficiently, so we had plenty of time to stroll through the cathedral. The site was established as a church in 1015, but the original building was destroyed by a fire.
By the end of the 12th century, new construction had begun on the Gothic-style cathedral that stands today.
Of course, it was renovated throughout the centuries at various times, and it was actually converted to a Protestant church during the Reformation.
In 1681, the church was returned to the Catholics. The cathedral is widely known for its stained glass and astronomical clock.
Photos don’t do it justice. It is worthwhile to see the Gothic architecture in person.
We stopped by Maison Alsacienne de Biscuiterie for a few treats on the way back to the hotel to check out.
I love France. I really do. Now that I’ve been to three different regions and driven through others, I can say that France has a good piece of my heart. It’s a beautiful country with a romantic language and a way of life I appreciate.
Our drive south to Hésingue on the French-Swiss border was only a couple of hours. It would be our peaceful, almost unreal, stopping point for two nights. More on that tomorrow.