Rest days in Strasbourg (25/26-Jun-2018)

And I needed them. What a change of routine it was this morning – no pressure to jump out of bed rushing to get to breakfast by a certain time, or having to pack up my panniers to get on the road. It was like being on holidays! Breakfast, a baguette with butter, jam and tea) was at my own good time. Breakfast finished and correspondence attended to; it was time to go exploring magical Strasbourg. I had no plan of attack; just zigzagging randomly across the city enjoying whatever came next. I am staying no more than a 10minute walk to the old city. 

Strasbourg has a student population of over 50,000, which explains why the town has so much youthful energy. Everywhere you go there are young people strolling around, smiling, chatting, contented and happy. One day they will look back and realise that these were the best years of their life. Everywhere I went there were fabulous cafes, restaurants, brasseries, pizzerias, creperies, and ice cream shops. But what really gives Strasbourg its character and charm is the lovely German-style, timber-framed houses throughout the city, influenced no doubt by the German/French ruling over its history. It is wonderful that this traditional method of construction has been preserved especially in La Petite France. It was high on my agenda of places to see and I was not disappointed. Situated on the western end of the Grand Île (Strasbourg town centre) it is an historic area with various canals cutting through the middle of it. What makes it so charming is its many German-influenced, timber-framed houses reflected in the water.

It wasn’t always that way; historically, La Petite France was a poor section of the city, occupied by mills and tanneries. For many years it was just a dirty, smelly place, until the industrial age came along and things changed. Since the middle of the 20th century, La Petite France has been transformed into a charming tourist destination, with its many 16th and 17th century houses preserved.

However, the highlight for me in Strasbourg was a very moving war memorial of “A NOS MORTS”, of a mother (symbolizing the city of Strasbourg) holding on her knees her two dying children. One is German and the other French, no longer wearing uniforms to distinguish them. They fought each other, and in the face of death they come together, they give each other their hands. (Wikipedia).

Sadly I must say goodbye to Strasbourg in the morning, but I am looking forward to my ride to stay tomorrow night in Freiburg in Germany. No doubt it will have its own charm too.