Strasbourg in September (by kerouac2)

[bjd]

That's very official looking graffiti -- all carved nicely. No spray painted stuff at least. And an odd place for a sundial -- how many people would see it?

Well, I'm glad you climbed up -- I certainly wouldn't because I don't like heights.

I also like the view of the roofs with those little windows. Even though nobody has to store grain any more, are the newer buildings made with those openings in order to maintain the style?

[Deleted]

There was still time for a leisurely walk on my way to the train station.







a bike rental and repair shop

















Sometimes, the German tourists start looking like colourful zombies.







This is the courtyard of one of the more charming hotels of the city.

Strasbourg has a dual municipal bike system -- you can take a bike for just an hour and return it to an automatic station or you can rent one from one of the main boutiques for severals days or a month. So you see some of the municipal bikes mixed with the private bikes when they are long term rentals.

I decided to take the tram back to the train station.



Two of the tram lines go under the train station like a subway line.











It's a busy station with both the S'Elsass commuter trains for Alsace and the Metrolor commuter trains for Lorraine.

My train pulled into the station -- it was actually a double TGV from Paris to Stuttgart. Only the first half was going to Stuttgart, so the trains were uncoupled and the Stuttgart train reclosed its back nose cone, and a few minutes later it continued on to Germany. About 10 minutes later a new train arrived from Stuttgart to hook up to my train going to Paris. Fascinating to watch all of this stuff. Well, it fascinates me, at least.

It's amazing how it went without saying that every piece of structure needed to be decorated in the past.



My one-day vacation was finished and the train hurtled back to Paris.

-- THE END AT LAST --

[Deleted]

I'll try to get back to some of the questions shortly, although I don't know most of the answers.

[tod2]

That was totally mind-blowing Kerouac! You have made me feel annoyed with myself for never having stopped over in Strasbourg on my way from Frankfurt/Munich (not sure which) to Paris. I can remember looking out of the train window at the river and buildings for the few minutes it took the train to exit Strasbourg but never thought it looked worth a visit. How wrong can a person be
The photos are terrific especially the night photos showing up the buildings by floodlight.
I'm so glad you decided to relive the climb to the top of the cathedral look-out. At one year older than your grandmother I try to envisage what I would feel like to do it.......not enthusiastic at all, so hats off to your wonderful grandmother for letting a young boy twist her arm!

[htmb]

Totally off topic, Kerouac, but you mentioned sailing on The France with your grandmother. I sailed on The France for two different cruises when it was owned by NCL and was named "The Norway." What a wonderful ship! I enjoyed traveling on it very much, though my area was limited to traveling to the Virgin Islands and back. One thing that was interesting was the pool on one of the very bottom levels of the boat. That was also where the indoor gym was located and I spent time down there each day. I would have loved to have sailed on it when it was called The France.

[mossie]

Another tour de force Kerouac, I don't know where you get all your energy and inspiration from. And those two trains preparing to mate ;D ;D

[bixaorellana]

*standing applause*

I think I broke the record for how many times I could say >>wow<< in one thread. So much beauty and interest there. Is it a place you'd be tempted to live, were you ever to leave Paris?

Had to laugh at the comment, "The spire is not accessible, thank god."

Is that really graffiti, or something more official?

What is that wonderful aqueduct fountain?

[lugg]

Fantastic - You have yet again added another place to my wish list. And all this in just one day !

[fumobici]

I noticed similar "graffiti" on the exterior of the duomo in Arezzo, but dated before its construction. I was told they were already on blocks repurposed from Roman constructions nearby and the masons had for whatever reason put them on the outside face where they could be seen.

[nycgirl]

Wow, what a thoroughly transporting photo essay! Strasbourg looks like an incredibly charming place. I'd love to wander its streets and cruise down its river. Thank you for taking us on this tour with you.

[lagatta]

Have to add Strasbourg Cycle Chic: www.strasbourgcyclechic.com/ The only city in France with what urban/utilitarian cycling experts would call a "mature cycling culture". You will note that in the September 2012 series the scenery changes suddenly as the Strasbourg Cyclechicistas take a trip to Copenhagen. No, there aren't any northern beaches in or around Strasbourg, just the pretty little river Ill, the mighty Rhine at its edge, canals...

"Tous les Soleils" is a recent family/romantic film that takes place in Strasbourg, and is very dreamy in parts. It is the story of a young Italian widower who is a music professor at the University of Strasbourg, his adolescent daughter and his layabout kitchen-anarchist brother. Very enjoyable though certainly not the greatest cinema achievement ever made. The city of Strasbourg plays a leading role.

And there are urban cyclists in ordinary clothes, touring cyclists in full kit, in the Alsatian hills (yum, full of Riesling) and the male lead on his silly Italian motorino... www.imdb.com/title/tt1715356/

[gaijinalways]

Fantastic photos, maks me really want to return to this lovely 'Le petit Paris'. ;D

Personally, my wife and I liked it better than Paris as we found the people very friendly and the city is just smaller and easier in some ways to deal with.

[mich64]

Thank you gaijinalways for bringing this report back to the recent page! Since I departed Canada on the 10th, I did not see the end of this report.

Absolutely fabulous Kerouac. Enjoyed every single photo and applaud you (and your grandmother, wow, she must have been a very special lady, is she your maternal grandmother?) for your stamina and enthusiasm for climbing those stairs. Wonderful story telling.

[terri kent]

Thank you so very much for the beautiful pictures and story of your grandmother. My daughter and I are visiting in Sept also... so excited now that I've seen how beautiful it is

[anshjain97]

Amazing report, Kerouac! I'll have to see if properly again though, just glanced at it for now. The railway station is very innovative.

[Deleted]

Thanks, terri and ansh. I think that Strasbourg is a fantastic city, and it always makes me groan when so many visitors in Paris think only of heading south after they've seen the capital.

[lagatta]

That is true. There are two othe Alsatian cities of note: Colmar, centre of the wine trade, very picturesque (but perhaps boring to live there) and Mulhouse, with an interesting industrial history, and close proximity to cities in Switzerland and Germany.

There is more overseas tourism to the Northwest of France (Normany, Brittany) than to the North or the Northeast.

[Deleted]

That might not be such a bad thing, since there is so much German, Belgian and Dutch tourism in northeastern France. During the summer season, it all really gets quite crowded sometimes.

[anshjain97]

Jan 31, 2013 17:25:08 GMT kerouac2 said:

Thanks, terri and ansh. I think that Strasbourg is a fantastic city, and it always makes me groan when so many visitors in Paris think only of heading south after they've seen the capital.

Haha, that would be me . The only places I've visited in France are Paris and the South, but after seeing your post, I would love to visit to visit FRance again- and Strasbourg. No idea when , though.

[Lesleyu]

Thank you so much for posting these photos. They are amazing and I really enjoyed sharing your experiences. You have a real talent.

[chiaram]

Wonderful report!

I have been in Strasbourg for the first time just a few days before you (September 2nd and 3rd) and in much worse weather, on the rainy and cold side, but I enjoyed the city thoroughly.

My husband would have loved a boat tour, but I said no (and we had two youngsters in tow who agreed) - well, your photos make me think I have missed a lot by refusing...

For who wondered, the crocodile is a real one (stuffed) outside a restaurant.

[lagatta]

I was only briefly in Strasbourg, but I'd love to stay for longer. It makes me a bit sad, as a person I know who was an MEP wanted me to be her English teacher (and also translate stuff for her EU group)but unfortunately wasn't re-elected. I so much wanted to stay there for some time, not only to cycle all winter despite the chilly temps but also to work on improving my German.

I still want one of those little savoury pies.

[kerouac2]

I just went through this entire thread again when somebody mentioned it elsewhere, and it really makes me want to return to Strasbourg again while the weather is still nice. Last time was for the Christmas markets, which is also excellent, but more challenging for walking around.

[lagatta]

48° 34′ 24″ nord, 7° 45′ 08″ est
Strasbourg

48° 51′ 24″ nord, 2° 21′ 07″ est
Paris

Paris and Strasbourg are very close in terms of north and south. Isn't Paris actually a bit farther north?

Obviously winters are harsher in Eastern France due to the lesser influence of the Gulf stream and other things I have never fully grasped...