A Grand Dame of Grand Est
The scenery in the Alsace region in northeastern France could be lifted from a storybook, scattered with castles amid forested mountains and sliced by rivers. There are plenty of fairytale vibes in the region’s capital, too, with jauntily-painted gingerbread-style houses complete with flower boxes reflected in the canals that wiggle their way through the city. An imposing and utterly exquisite cathedral is Strasbourg’s flourishing accent – Notre Dame has overlooked the city since 1439.
Pass through the Petite France neighbourhood, with its canals and narrow streets, once home to tanners and millers. But Strasbourg is not just a city of the past. It is a vibrant, modern place with a thriving cultural scene. Pop into one of the many museums in the city, perhaps the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, housed in a sleek glass building.
The River Rhine runs down Strasbourg’s eastern flank, marking France’s border with Germany. The two have jostled over control of the region across the centuries, so perhaps it’s unsurprising that there’s palpable German influence in Strasbourg’s food and architecture. To sample the collision of flavours for yourself, stop at a cosy winstub, the city’s rustic bistros, and order classic Strasbourg favourites - simple but delicious.
