Prochain arrêt: Strasbourg (Next stop: Strasbourg)
This is a long overdue post of Strasbourg which I visited on the 12 April. Strasbourg is a city that lies in the Alsace region of France, and is well known not only because of tourism but also because of its importance of the location of the European Parliament. However, the metropolitan area, or the core of the city turned out to be quite small and walkable such that we completed the main area of the city much faster than we expected.
The photo above is a picture of the Gare de Strasbourg (Strasbourg train station). The outer shell reminded me of the Allianz Arena stadium in München, or the Esplanade back home. However, it is quite obvious that this glass shell was an add on to the inside, because once you have passed through the glass enclosure, you would see the actual station. But nevertheless I thought it was a really beautiful design.
La Petite Alsace, Le Petite France
Petite France is a quarter in Strasbourg that is notably the most beautiful area of Strasbourg in my opinion although some will testify against. What is prominent here is that you see lots of Fachwerkhäuser (half timbered houses), making you wonder if you are really in France or Germany.
Actually its nothing surprising, considering the location of Strasbourg and the Alsace region, which is at the border to Germany. In fact, Strasbourg and Germany is seperated by the river Rhine, and Strasbourg is accessible from the German town of Kehl by walking over the river through a bridge. And more importantly, if you consider the history of Alsace region or Strasbourg, it has changed hands frequently between claims of Germany and France. Also, since the Frankish empire from the 3rd to 10th century, Strasbourg has been heavily influenced by Germanic culture.
This is a long overdue post of Strasbourg which I visited on the 12 April. Strasbourg is a city that lies in the Alsace region of France, and is well known not only because of tourism but also because of its importance of the location of the European Parliament. However, the metropolitan area, or the core of the city turned out to be quite small and walkable such that we completed the main area of the city much faster than we expected.
The photo above is a picture of the Gare de Strasbourg (Strasbourg train station). The outer shell reminded me of the Allianz Arena stadium in München, or the Esplanade back home. However, it is quite obvious that this glass shell was an add on to the inside, because once you have passed through the glass enclosure, you would see the actual station. But nevertheless I thought it was a really beautiful design.
La Petite Alsace, Le Petite France
Petite France is a quarter in Strasbourg that is notably the most beautiful area of Strasbourg in my opinion although some will testify against. What is prominent here is that you see lots of Fachwerkhäuser (half timbered houses), making you wonder if you are really in France or Germany.
Actually its nothing surprising, considering the location of Strasbourg and the Alsace region, which is at the border to Germany. In fact, Strasbourg and Germany is seperated by the river Rhine, and Strasbourg is accessible from the German town of Kehl by walking over the river through a bridge. And more importantly, if you consider the history of Alsace region or Strasbourg, it has changed hands frequently between claims of Germany and France. Also, since the Frankish empire from the 3rd to 10th century, Strasbourg has been heavily influenced by Germanic culture.
Quai de la petite FranceBecause of its picturesque setting, most of the people who were there were tourists, mostly German tourists, not surprisingly. And if we were to translate petite France, it would mean something like small France or something along the line. However, it turns out that the origin of the name petite France was that this area used to be flooded with prostitutes who worked here during the middle ages, and some of the Fachwerkhäusern could well be possibly brothels. And it was here that the syphillis was so often contracted such that the syphillis came to termed as the French disease.
However, there are no more brothels, at least explicitly running brothels, today as well as no signs of streetwalkers. What we see on the streets are however, painters painting the scene as well as peddling their art works. Also a lot of cafes lined up along the canals.
Barrage Vauban
The Barrage Vauban (Vauban dam) is a wall which was built in the 17th century. We climbed up to the terrance and was welcomed with the beautiful pananoramic sight below.
From here we are actually facing petite France
Charmaine: Boon Song, I put the map in your bag ah.
BS: You wanna put the map in my bag?
Charmaine: In the side pocket ok? U want it u tell me. I help u take.
BS: I think I should be able to reach it.
Grande Île de Strasbourg (lit: Grand Island of Strasbourg)
The Grande Île de Strasbourg is actually a historic centre in the core of the main city area. It was classifed as a world heritage site by UNESCO in 1988. One of the main highlights of this historic centre is of course the Strasbourg Cathedral.
The cathedral was completed in 1439 and was the world tallest church until 1880.
The main feature of the church is undoubtly the astronomical clock. The clock is known to be highly accurate as its time of construction and its complicated functions was truly a marvel.
French pastries at the historic centre. The small petite cutes ones cost 3.60€ each. Actually such French pastries are common place around Alsace, like the last time when we were at Wissembourg we also saw many shops selling such snacks. 
The French train that took us from Strasbourg back to Wissembourg where we changed to the German train to return home. It seemed that this French train appeared to run on diesel instead of electricity.We completed our exploration of Strasbourg in a much shorter time than anticipated. Basically we saw the main things less the European Parliament, but I would say that Strasbourg is perhaps worth a day trip and just that. Thankfully Mannheim is not that far from Strasbourg.
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