travels and home: June 8 - Cathedrale Notre-Dame-de-Strasbourg

Before I say anything else, let me say that neither my words nor our photos can convey the impact of the Strasbourg Cathedral. We were so enjoying the wine country that we almost didn't bother going into Strasbourg. This cathedral is definitely worth a detour, if not a journey.

After a rest at the Biblenhof, we drove to one of the public transportation lots that are positioned along the feeder highways. There, for 2.80 euros you can park all day and get a round-trip tram ticket for everyone in the car. Brilliant solution to congestion. The trams run pretty often, and we were in the center of historic Strasbourg by early evening.

The gothic cathedral, even the partial view that we first saw down the street, was staggering. Overwhelming. It is very big and very ornate. We stopped at a cafe in view of it and shared a really fine pastry, then explored the cathedral.

The inside has fine stained glass, and an enormous mechanical astronomical clock, built in the 19th century, that is only set to strike once a day (for its own good) - viewings require tickets.

Jimmy walked up the cathedral tower and got some great alternative views.

Strasbourg is an important center for the EU, and I wanted to see the European Parliament building. The simplest way to do this was on a boat tour going up and down the Ill river and canals.

We ate dinner at a very friendly bistro near the cathedral. I ordered the marrow bone - a gorgeous long bone with pastry tube squirts of perhaps potato chantilly, and escargot, on top - a strange one-time treat. Jimmy had fish with the seasonal white asparagus.