Strasbourg, France - 6-7 October 2007

We arrived in Strasbourg in the late afternoon and managed to find our hostel, Ciarus, where we spent the night for €76.50, booking fee included. As we’ve continued north, the autumn weather has grown milder - a quiet shift that mirrors the winding down of this incredible European road trip. After checking in, we wandered nearby and stumbled upon a Chinese restaurant, Au Petit Palais, where we enjoyed a comforting dinner for €37.90. Strasbourg marked our final overnight stay as we'd be returning to Maastricht on Sunday (with a brief stop in Luxembourg) and returning the rental car in Maastricht on Monday morning, bringing this journey full circle.

Strasbourg, nestled in the Alsace region of northeastern France, is utterly charming. Its historical buildings are remarkably well-preserved, lending the city a strong sense of character. As one of the seats of European governance, it hosts several institutions, including one half of the EU Parliament’s legislative chamber (the other half is in Brussels under the Council of the European Union).

The city feels distinct, but in a good way, perhaps because of its graceful fusion of German and French culture. I can’t quite explain it, but the locals seem warmer, more open. The whole city carries a fairytale quality, like something drawn from The Pied Piper or Hansel and Gretel. Strasbourg doesn’t just welcome you; it quietly enchants you.

I also picked up three packs of gingerbread for €6.50 as a small souvenir - something sweet to carry home.

Above left: Église Saint-Pierre-le-Jeune Catholique

Above left: Palais de Justice de Strasbourg ~ the city's main courthouse

Above left: The Canal du Faux-Rempart

Above: Cathédrale Notre-Dame-de-Strasbourg, where we went for Mass

Above: Ham and cheese crepes ~ €4.50

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