I’m on a mission. I’ve completed a hard target search and ascertained that*my* shoes are to be found in Strasbourg. I’ve located the shop, checked their hours and talked Himself into taking me there. I even offered a slow roll out of the vehicle if he didn’t want to stop. To his credit, he’s decided we’ll spend the day exploring instead and shop along the way. Right. That’s the plan. The shop opens at 1 pm and we arrive right on time. Even wrangled the local tram. Success is within grasp.
A short walk later, we’re there. Small problem – it’s closed. Google was right about the hours, but there’s a note on the door: temporarily closed on Mondays and Tuesdays in July and August. Hmmmm. Not best pleased. Am moments away from some seriously rabbitty foot stomping. Himself saves the day, recalling that Galleries Lafayette has a store in Strasbourg – they had my shoes in Dijon he reasons and may well have them here. Off we set. It’s on the other side of the city, of course. Well, where else would it be? 🤔 And at last, success. In my size, in stock and in a bag, ready to come home. YES! Victory is indeed sweet. I practically skip out of Galleries Lafayette, happy as a lark. I love them.
Strasbourg meanwhile, is lovely. We’ve been here before, riding our bikes in, but we’re in a completely different part of the city today.
We wander for a while then stop at the Cathedral with its enormous 142 metre spire – the highest in western Europe until the 19th century. Made from pink sandstone between the 11th and 16th centuries it’s Strasbourg’s central landmark. Incredibly ornate, inside and out. As always, it’s hard to do it justice to enormous places in pictures. The light’s against me, which isn’t helping, washing colours out rather than enhancing them.
My favourite feature is the Cathedral’s extraordinary Renaissance astronomical clock. Quite spectacular with many features including placement of the planets, its own spiral staircase and a procession of the 12 Apostles when the clock strikes noon.
Mid afternoon brings blindingly heat – it’s already been a long day. Over drinks we have a brainwave – boat tour! It’s a perfect solution to both heat and tired feet. Thank goodness we have our hats with us – it’s an open boat. Enterprising chaps sell hats to those in line who’ve come less prepared.
It’s soon clear this was a smart move. Over the next 75 minutes we learn about Strasbourg’s geopolitical history, its placement as the home of the European parliament,
see the pretty Petite France quarter
and manage our way through two lochs, one up stream the other down. Fascinating as we rise and fall by metres in moments.
We see the covered bridges, and pass under countless more,
see the historic quarter built under German rule,
explore the oldest parts of city,
yet more churches and lots of gorgeous architecture.
The tour takes us around the central island and across three sets of canal tributaries. It’s certainly thorough providing a great overview of the city.
There’s time for a last drink before we head home – the trams are very good here. We find a shortcut through parklands, a pretty green path along the canal but with a worrying number of people living in tents. Lack of housing and cost of living issues aren’t limited to home it seems. It’s a stark difference to the last time we were here, no-one lived in the park then. For a city bursting with commerce and tourists, and one would therefore presume jobs, it’s a sad state of affairs.
Silly comment of the day goes to me, standing in line waiting for security clearance for the cathedral: Oh, says I. Someone’s wearing a lovely perfume. Sniff, sniff sniff. It’s me, wearing a gardenia scent I haven’t worn in a while. Oh well, at least my preference for scent is consistent. 😂
Miss Baci Travels 