Strasbourg, France

  SECOND STOP Strasbourg, France 

Strasbourg is the second most popular tourist city in France, after Paris. The city has been both French and German throughout its history. Signs are printed in both languages and you can find both German and Alsatian delicacies. 

There are three main attractions. First the Gothic Cathedral, the second most visited French cathedral after Notre Dame de Paris;

front

back side

secondly the picture-book historic quarter of Petite France, with its half-timbered medieval houses and its quays overlooking branches of the river

and thirdly the Strasbourg Christmas market which they were just getting started setting up so no photos to show except the festive window dressing above the hat shop. 

The city can be easily covered on foot and by tram. Since parking is at a premium many use their bicycles to get around. Sunday proved to be a beautiful fall day perfect for exploring the town. It is Armistice Day so many shops were closed. Fortunately cafes and bakeries were open and doing a brisk business.  Lots of  German influence in the foods and we loved the hot homemade pretzels. 

This one was hot off the press!

Street entertainment was plentiful. 

My favorite part of the day may surprise you. I so enjoyed being outside and enjoying all the best nature has to offer. 

city park

stork's nest on top of a chimney

My husband was able to zoom in on it and capture the stork nesting.

For some  inexplicable reason swans love the Rhine River as they were everywhere.

These swans clustered near the walking path seemed huge to me and were rather annoyed I disturbed them for a photo. 

Food Presentation and next stop Riquewihr, a picturesque medieval French village in the Haut-Rhin region.  

In France November 11th is a huge commemorative day for

 and for us