Strasbourg, France

My wife and I took a day trip from Wiesbaden, Germany, to Strasbourg, France, in early February. We had heard from friends that Strasbourg was a beautiful city across the German and French border with lots of charm and history. Additionally, Strasbourg is home to the European Union's Parliament.

As we crossed into France, we saw signs for the Alsace region, the formerly contested area by France and Germany, and the Maginot Line, where you can visit one of the nearby forts.

We were not disappointed when we arrived. The drive took less than two and a half hours, and we conveniently parked at the Gutenberg Parking Garage, which is within walking distance from the Cathedral of Notre Dame.

After parking, my wife and I walked inside the Cathedral. The Cathedral is a typical Gothic style built and completed in the mid-1400s. For over 200 years, the Cathedral was the world's tallest building and is now considered the 6th tallest church. While the church is large, it does not seem as imposing as the Cathedral of Notre Dame in Cologne, Germany, or Paris, France. My wife and I took our time inside, viewing the marvelous works of art and craftsmanship that went into building the Cathedral. After a brief stop in the gift store to buy souvenirs, we went outside to see the church's exterior.

As we walked along the right side of the church (as viewed facing from the front), we walked by the Palais Rohan, the Museum of archaeological history and fine arts. On other occasions, my wife and I would have paid to go inside, but since the weather was beautiful outside (German weather had been dark, gloomy, and sunless for months), we opted to walk around and see the sights instead.

We continued walking around the Palais Rohan and came across the canal area lined with shops, restaurants, and where you can book river cruises known as the Embarcadère Quais des bateliers. The bridge across the canal was a fantastic spot to take photos of the area and capture the city's essence.

We walked around and decided to stop for lunch at La Pépinière Café. My wife had the best Fish and Chips since her arrival in Europe, and I had a classic burger with beets. Of course, the best part of the meal was the local French wine.

After lunch, my wife and I continued walking around and came upon the canal due Rhone au Rhin, lined with shops, restaurants, and a movie theater. In the middle of the canal connected by bridges was a small island that had a nice collection of restaurants. We continued walking inside the indoor mall region to do some window shopping.

Afterward, we stopped for drinks at Au Quai de L' III. We sat outdoors and enjoyed watching people doing their things as we enjoyed local wines and beers. Once finished, we walked towards a small shopping area where my wife and I bought a small collection of wine, more souvenirs, and baking pottery (my wife is an excellent baker and has made it her goal to collect baking items from each country she visits).

Once we finished shopping, we decided to head back to Germany. My wife and I realized there was much more to see in Strasbourg, such as the Musee Alsacian and the Historical Museum of the City of Strasbourg.

My wife and I enjoyed our time in Strasbourg, France. We recommend the city to anyone seeking a beautiful, peaceful area with lots of charm and historical significance.