Christmas in Strasbourg photos and mini report

[rachelnyc]

Thanks to all who contributed to my post asking for advice on this trip, especially to Anne if she happens to check in!

With just about 5 days and dealing with Holiday closures we decided to focus our time in Strasbourg with a day trip to Colmar, rather than incorporating the smaller villages along the Route du Vin. I would like to go back and do that some time but I think it would be better in nicer weather, ideally around Harvest time. We stayed at the Sofitel which was very conveniently located and allowed us to walk pretty much everywhere.

We really lucked out with weather as it was relatively mild most days which made for pleasant walking (helped by lots of vin chaud, of course). The temperature dipped on our last night and it was freezing and snowing the morning we left to go back to Paris.

Strasbourg definitely deserves the moniker "Capital of Christmas" and they really go all out with decorations throughout the city. We really enjoyed wandering through all of the markets and although I can't say Alsatian food is my favorite, it was interesting to try some of the local dishes like choucroute & baeckoffe (sp?). I did love the tarte flambees though and the Munster from Alsace is fantastic. We did have some fantastic meals that were less traditional.

Here is a link to some of my photos if anyone is interested in checking them out www.flickr.com/photos/91789718@N08/sets/72157650177484345/

Now on to weed through all of my Paris photos...

[janetnj]

It's wonderful to see a happy report from France today.

Great pictures. I think the first few are of Place Kleber, which is where I stayed. It's amazing how much the city transforms during Christmas.

I wasn't daring enough to try the choucroute. Anne told me the Parisian brasseries do a nice choucroute so maybe I'll try it on my next trip.

Thanks for posting! Glad you had a great time.

[rachelnyc]

Thanks Janet. I know, what a sad day for Paris, France & the World.

I tried a small plate of choucroute at one of the Christmas markets because the plates in the restaurants were huge! Once was enough!

You are right, Place Kleber is where they put the big Christmas tree. The entire city felt like a big Christmas market that I really can't imagine it without the decorations.

[Anne]

Hi Rachel, Janet told me that you had posted about your trip. I'm glad that you had a good time and I enjoyed watching your photo album.
It's funny that you actually liked the weather : in December it's supposed to be cold and sunny, or else snowy, so here we were all complaining about the mild and rainy weather as it "doesn't feel like Christmas" ...
Now you'll have to come back one day to drive the Route du Vin, preferably at a period when the vines have leaves !

[geordy]

How delightful it must have been Rachel! We were there one September..and it seemed like something out of a storybook..but it looks like at the Holidays the book comes to life! Someday....

I'm down with choucroute ..cabbage and pork and other meats are part of both my ethnic backgrounds! But you just have to accept the fact you usually can't consume it all and if you were having it here you'd get a doggy bag and not feel "guilty"! Even had a good fish one at Chez Jenny in Paris!

And I think it would be nice and warming in NYC right about now!

Great to see you here Anne! How's/where's my twin? And the other twins?

[Shoesy]

Wow! Such magnificent photos! Everything looks so magical.

[Jody]

What Shoesy said!!! Just beautiful and I wished I was there!!

[Anne]

Geordy, they are all doing great, thank you. Your twin is in Switzerland for this university year, but I'm quite worried about the fact that she is going to Paris this week end and plans to attend Sunday's big demonstration against the terrorist attack (although I should say attackS now ...) . Not a good time to be in a large crowd ...

[Anne]

Rachel isn't the cathedral amazingly beautiful ? I've grown up seing it, yet I still find it stunning. It was the tallest building in Christiandom until the end of 19th century.

[rachelnyc]

Thanks all, yes it is quite a magical place! Anne, since I come from a cold climate I know what you mean about not "feeling" like Christmas if it's not cold but I think if it were 80 degrees it would still feel like Christmas in Strasbourg! The cathedral really is stunning and unbelievable to think it has stood in that spot for 1000 years! On a personal note, my mother & I were both very touched by the engraving thanking the American soldiers who gave their lives in WWII since her father was 1 of the soldiers that fought in France, although fortunately for all of us he made it home safely.

[geordy]

Jan 9, 2015 11:32:27 GMT -5 Anne said:

Geordy, they are all doing great, thank you. Your twin is in Switzerland for this university year, but I'm quite worried about the fact that she is going to Paris this week end and plans to attend Sunday's big demonstration against the terrorist attack (although I should say attackS now ...) . Not a good time to be in a large crowd ...

Anne, I respect and share your concerns and worry....but am also proud of her for wanting to show her support and ideals. A true Frenchwoman..though woman of the world by now with all those studying stints else where..including USA of course!

Agree about the cold weather for Holidays..but they are over now and current temps have ben ridiculous!!! But if it must snow and storm..let it get it over with now and not in Feb.! 28 sleeps!

[mez]

Great photos - especially the ones of food. The photo of Santa in his boxers is funny.

[rachelnyc]

Thanks Mez! lol I couldn't resist Santa in his boxers. It was on Christmas Day so I wasn't able to go inside the shop though.