samedi le 13 septembre
Had a hideous sleep, couldn’t get to sleep kept thinking about this annoying AFS issue. Then kept waking all night, couldn’t stop worrying about it!
Up early and ready for Strasbourg – left here at 9:00 to get to the train station for a 9h40 departure – Before you get on trains you must “composte” validate your ticket with time signature – not sure why as the ticket has all info on it, Besancon-Strasbourg – date, time etc… so not sure why this is! 20€ each way. Student concessions here –you must be under age 26!
On we get and the train is quite comfortable, got a good seat with 2 seats opposite us facing us, so roomier! The train was quite empty so lots of spare seats!
The train wasn’t a TGV but it still goes quite fast, the rain was pouring and it was all very grey so not many photos from the train. I love looking at all the little villages and their layout and wondering why they live there etc…
After 1 of the stops along the way, (there were only 4) we started going backwards, at this moment you wonder if we are on the right carriage, as often they will drop carriages or pick up new ones at stations - amazingly we must have changed tracks as it continued this way all the way to Strasbourg. Not so good for me going backwards so luckily I just went to seat opposite my old one - right direction!
Wendy and I arrived in Strasbourg at 12h06! The rain was even heavier here!
We got a 24h travel pass and a map -off we went!
Straight down to the tram station, under the train station, quickly decided where we want to go and jumped on – 1 stop later, realised it was going the wrong way – so crossed the tracks and caught another tram straight back! Amazing to see people just walking over the tracks to get other side – certainly can’t do that with trains!
2 stops later, central Strasbourg! Managed to get some directions to the river, since it was precipitating heavily we had thought a tour on the covered boat around the town would be best!
Had a hideous sleep, couldn’t get to sleep kept thinking about this annoying AFS issue. Then kept waking all night, couldn’t stop worrying about it!
Up early and ready for Strasbourg – left here at 9:00 to get to the train station for a 9h40 departure – Before you get on trains you must “composte” validate your ticket with time signature – not sure why as the ticket has all info on it, Besancon-Strasbourg – date, time etc… so not sure why this is! 20€ each way. Student concessions here –you must be under age 26!
On we get and the train is quite comfortable, got a good seat with 2 seats opposite us facing us, so roomier! The train was quite empty so lots of spare seats!
The train wasn’t a TGV but it still goes quite fast, the rain was pouring and it was all very grey so not many photos from the train. I love looking at all the little villages and their layout and wondering why they live there etc…
After 1 of the stops along the way, (there were only 4) we started going backwards, at this moment you wonder if we are on the right carriage, as often they will drop carriages or pick up new ones at stations - amazingly we must have changed tracks as it continued this way all the way to Strasbourg. Not so good for me going backwards so luckily I just went to seat opposite my old one - right direction!
Wendy and I arrived in Strasbourg at 12h06! The rain was even heavier here!
We got a 24h travel pass and a map -off we went!
Straight down to the tram station, under the train station, quickly decided where we want to go and jumped on – 1 stop later, realised it was going the wrong way – so crossed the tracks and caught another tram straight back! Amazing to see people just walking over the tracks to get other side – certainly can’t do that with trains!
2 stops later, central Strasbourg! Managed to get some directions to the river, since it was precipitating heavily we had thought a tour on the covered boat around the town would be best!
For 7€.50 we got on a large, tourist boat with headphones (different channels, different language commentary) and off we went for 1:10 minutes. It was great really worthwhile, it is on the river L’Ill which is off the Rhine, about 2 km from centre of town. Basically the main part of town, like Besancon and probably many others, is built on an island which made it easier to defend yourself from others!
Strasbourg is now French but it has been German then French then German then French etc for centuries! It is right on the border of Germany.
It is where the European Parliament is situated and is justified for this as it is now at peace with all its neighbours! There is even a statue in the town of a mother with her 2 sons, one who died defending France, the other Germany, a traumatic experience for many of the people in Alsace during the 2 World Wars.
The region is Alsace/Lorraine and it has a very distinctive native language that has survived from centuries without a written form – it is a mix of French, German, English and something else –Dutch? The traditional costumes are worn on National holidays.
The boat gave us some very interesting facts,
the first printing press – Gutenburg, who was originally German exiled himself to Strasbourg in about 1435 ish, and worked on his invention the printing press with mobile letters.
Heineken and Kronenbourg are brewed here too.
At the beginning of the 19th Century it was Napolean’s residence.
An amazing cathedral (A.B.C.) dating from the middle ages 11-15 centuries, it is a real lace-like work of stone and is impressive in its exceptionally elaborate sculptured décor. It is also massive!
Houses are typical German style, steep roof, a couple of layers of dormer windows and mixed in with wooden architecture.
After the boat we wandered around, 2:30 got some lunch is this quaint little pizzeria – had the best food here yet! I had a pizza – very traditional, very thin crust and not a heavy laden topping! A picher of red to go with it! Parfait!
Started to look around, went into the cathedral, I just don’t get how they managed to build these masterpieces with limited resources! It was the tallest spire, 455 feet, completed in 1439, until the 19th Century. It is supposed to have a second spire but this was never completed, it looks slightly off balance because of this.
A mad flurry round some shops, mainly window shopping. They do have some beautiful window displays!
Found a gorgeous Xmas shop but didn’t have time to really look, apparently from end of November until Xmas Strasbourg has a Xmas festival, so will maybe come back then.
Nearly time to get back to station – train left at 17h16. Just time for Wendy to go to the toilet – around France many public toilets are not free – you pay! 50c for the pleasure at Strasbourg station. Occasionally in town you may see a sign ‘gratuit’ free toilet – but it isn’t often. I have refused so far to pay – just hold on!
On the train and home at 19h56, straight to the bus stop, 4 minute wait –home!
Couldn’t wait to get out of damp/wet socks and shoes, jeans and even my handbag was damp! I had a jacket and umbrella but it was hosing down! By the way – parapluie’s in Strasbourg 5€!!
At home we had a traditional Alsacien meal – Tarte Flambee, a little like a mix between a pizza and crepe – very, very thin base with cream and cheese and bacon topping. Very nice but rich!
Said au revoir to Wendy who is off for a week down south and then returns next Monday,
Bed – exhausted!
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