Saturday 23rd September 2023

Paris to Strasbourg

Twas the sleep of the dead, with the alarm waking us from glorious slumber at 700am to ready us for the 2.5 hour 400 kilometre train ride from Paris to Strasbourg.

Having remastered the train system it was several Metro rides to the main terminal Gare du Est.

We filled up with the usual Jenny Craig unendorsed breakfast of pastries and coffe then sat around in a crowded concourse before boarding a train that never seemed to end.

After a minor altercation about seating we were politely told we were in the wrong carriage and with our tail between our legs headed back to the correct seats.

At 200 Kms an hour it’s difficult to take in the beauty of the countryside, which was littered with small farming communities and equally as many windmills.

Well so much for the 2.5 hours, the 398 Kms disappeared in 1.45 hours and we arrived at a very grand Strasbourg train terminal. The grandness of the terminal was matched by the buildings and square that was in front of us..

The 20 minute walk towards the hotel has us treading along a cobblestone path abutting the canal, with an amazing mix of German and French architecture.

There was surprisingly few people around , other than cyclists who politely let you know if you dared to encroach their bike lane.

Distracted by the bell tinkling we missed our hotel and after retracing our steps found the converted convent down a side road.

No luck with an early entry this time, so we toddled off towards the best landmark in town – the 152 l metre high spire of the Cathedral. Based on its burnt out cousin in Paris, the Notre Dame, it was once the tallest structure in the world and now ranks the 6th highest church in the world.

It is a magnificent gothic structure with its own echoing bell system and an ornate sundial and clock. We could not get an inside visit due to mass being celebrated.

The square in which it sat was full of old houses, bars, restaurants and souvenir shops filled to the brim with every Brothets Grimm character you could name and in every form. I am sure Jane will wander back to buy the obligatory Christmas decoration.

It was interesting that there was an informal prayer session outside the Cathedral. I had my ear tweaked by a beautiful young lady saying it was in protest at the Pope becoming too involved in political issues.

I am thinking my offhanded comment that ‘ he had plenty to deal with inside the church’ might not have been the response she was seeking and she swiftly left and took a knee with the fellow worshippers.

Hunger was getting the best of us so a late lunch nearby was the order of the day. Rain unfortunately had us head inside but we both enjoyed the lunch , drinks and dessert.

Whilst kids are frowned on in restaurants, pets are not and our neighbour shared his lunch with Fido. Dog also acted as an impromptu vacuum cleaner under all tables.

After a Nanna Nap we revisited the city and the night time version was no disappointment. After wandering the streets and soaking up the view and atmosphere we headed home down the tree covered path along the canal listening to the crowd assembled at the Opera House, all dressed in their finery.