From Frankfurt to Strasbourg

We rented a car from Frankfurt Airport and drove across the border to Strasbourg, France.  Rental is about 50+ Euro a day for a Sedan.  Note that reservations made via Expedia or Kayak generally cost about half the amount of doing it when you arrive, and you can often have Expedia reservations cancel at any time which is good flexibility.  Be a little careful with enterprise and National, they are very aggressive in trying to upsell you on all the added features like upgraded car, insurance, insurance, fuel, pre-pay option, etc.. .  There was no checkpoint at the border on the way to Strasbourg but we were stopped briefly for a quick routine check back to Frankfurt.  

We stayed at Madison Rouge Hotel in Grand Ile, the historic center in Strasbourg. This is a Marriott collections hotel with complimentary breakfast from 7am – 11am. Limited parking at the hotel is 40 Euro per night. Car keys are kept at the front desk to ensure proper flow of traffic because the lot is so tiny. Adapters are recommended for this hotel but if you forget, the front desk can provide one.

This is yet the steepest bathtub I’ve come across… sure is a challenge to get out and not to trip and fall😬

There is a small gym at the hotel. All the equipment were accented with wood to match the setting.

Complimentary breakfast buffet at the hotel has many selections and you can also order hot breakfast such as omelette, French toast etc. from the kitchen which is included in the buffet, along with wonderful French pastries, so many to choose from!

We found a Chinese restaurant, Sichuan, and the food there was amazing. The bamboo with pork and green bean dish were my favorite. The sweet and sour fish wasn’t too great.

At Sichuan, we didn’t realize we had to insert the wooden disposable end sections into the metal parts of the chopsticks. We were wondering about the length of the chopsticks because they were so short, until the waitress told us how they were assembled and used. Embarrassing chopstick education moment!!! It looks obvious when you see them next to each other like in this picture, not quite so obvious when they are located on different parts of the table…:)

We also had dinner at a local restaurant called La Petit Alsach for some wonderful Alsatian food.

Tarte Flambee (flammekueche) means pie baked in a flame, it was very good😋

We can’t go to dinner without ordering crème brûlée when you are in France, it is the best! The texture is not as dense, love it!

Grand Ile  (Strasbourg historic centre) 

Strolling around Grand Ile …

This is a cute little souvenir shop we found on our walk at La Petit.

Ponts Couverts

The Ill at La Petit

La Petite France is a charming little area in Strasbourg on the Grande Île. The area is also called the Quartier des Tanneurs, because of the many leather tanneries here in the Middle Ages.

Tanners, millers and fishermen made the most of this section of the River Ill, which split into 4 separate channels. Downstream is a maze of tiny lanes crammed with buildings whose open lofts would once have been used for drying hides.

Barrage Vauban, or the Vauban Dam on Canal du Faux-Rempart

Barrage Vauban, or the Vauban Dam on Canal du Faux-Rempart, is a bridge that also serves as a defensive work.  Erected in the 17th century, it was known as the Great Lock (grande écluse), although it does not function as a navigation lock in the modern sense of the word. Today it serves to display sculptures and has a viewing terrace on its roof, with views of the earlier Ponts Couverts bridges and Petite France quarter. It has been classified as a Monument historique since 1971.

Cathedral Notre Dame or Cathedral of Our Lady, also called the Strasbourg Cathedral. 

This is a Catholic cathedral with much of it in the Romanesque architecture type, but it is also considered to be the finest example of Gothic architecture. The construction of the cathedral started in the year, 1015, was re-launched in 1190, and finally finished in 1439. Over such a long period of time, many architects, and benefactors contributed to the construction, including various generations of Steinbachs. This is a beautiful cathedral, and a must-see on your trip!

Rohan Palace

Palais Rohan, or the Rohan Palace, was a former residence of prince-bishops and cardinals of the House of Rohan, an ancient French Noble family.  It has hosted many French Monarchs including Louis XV and Napoleon.  President Ronald Reagan also dined in the palace in 1985 and signed the official Strasbourg guestbook.  It was also a place where Barack and Michelle Obama visited where  they met with French President Nicholas Sarkozy.  And now we have been here so it’s come full circle!

Place du Chateau

This is a square in between Cathedral Notre Dame and Rohan Palace.  There are many souvenir shops and restaurants around the square.

Place St. Thomas

This includes an imposing structure in the La Petite France a of Strasbourg. It is the main Protestant church in Strasbourg and is often referred to as the “Protestant cathedral”. There’s a fabulous marble mausoleum of the Count of Saxony in one side area of the church.

Old St. Peter’s Church

This is a Medieval Catholic church (also served as a Lutheran church) with St. Brigit of Kildare relics & 10 Gothic passion-of-Christ paintings.

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