How Did They do That?!!!!! Strasbourg’s Immaculate Intricate Cathedral

We took a 33 minute train ride to Strasbourg France this morning.  I have been told several times that it is ridiculous to be this close and not visit Strasbourg. It has a fairly large downtown area surround by a canal. The buildings are very handsome, but one stands out as being so extraordinary that it would command a visit if it was in the middle of nowhere. It is too astonishing to capture in pictures, but I have tried, thus you will see a lot of photographs here of what is known simply as the Cathedral of Strasbourg.

The first stone was set in 1277 for the Cathedral of Strasbourg. It is beyond our comprehension how the exceptionally elaborate, intricate and massive mission of construction was achieved. The 142-foot-high spire in the photos was completed in 1439. We did not go inside as the line to enter curled around the block and they limit the number of people inside.

The Palais Rohan is a Parisian style mansion built in the 1700’s. At the beginning of the 19th century it became the home of one of Alsace’s favorite sons, Napoleon. Included here are two more pictures of the spire from distance.

Strasbourg was crowded but feels very comfortable to me. Like all of the old town central areas of French cities we have visited it is a maze of streets. Even with a map I can pretty much guarantee part of my visit will be spent figuring out where I am and how to get out of there – wherever there might be. The good news is sooner or later between maps and friendly locals We always end up where we are going next.

We had lunch at a German Alsatian restaurant. It was a light lunch consisting of pheasant terrine on a bed of beautiful mixed greens and pickles that were not quite sweet and not quite dill, accompanied by very good crusty bread. We had beer. Sheila has been clamoring for a dark dry beer. I have warned her that might be difficult to find. While I was in the bathroom, she ordered dry dark beers which they claimed to have. I had told her that dry may not even be a word they associate to beer in France, and though many French people speak English it can be a mistake to assume they understand it well. As with people all over there can be a tendency to be agreeable even when not sure you have understood. I believe that is what happened. Sure enough, we received two malty sweet brown beers (neither of us has a high tolerance for sweet beers). We ordered them so we drank them, but I am thinking they might have cured her of the impulse to order dark beer in France; unless we find an Irish pub and they do exist in most French cities.

An encouraging thing is that in Colmar, and in Strasbourg I have not noticed much graffiti. Also alas, not much street art.

Tomorrow is another out of town adventure.