Strasbourg and Colmar France: Christmas Markets and the Strasbourg Cathedral de Norte Dame

The Historic city of Strasbourg is located in Alsace region of france also known as The champagne region. The city dates back to 12BC but became a French city in 1681 then German after the Franco Prussian war then French switching back to German after WWW1 and again finally back to French control after WWII. It is now known as the formal seat of the European Parliament and is located in eastern france near the German border. . Strasbourg’s rich history also allows it to hold two UNESCO designations. Strasbourg has a large university including students from the USA and around the world. It is a vibrant, cosmopolitan city With a wonderful modern art museum, vibrant mix of not only French and German but a diverse immigrant culture, Roman and gothic architecture, romantic and modern moods offering something for everyone.

https://www.visitstrasbourg.fr

Strasbourg is also known as the Christmas Capitol of France and for its seasonal Christmas markets as is Colmar, and this is definitely one of the best times to visit. Dating from 1570, the Strasbourg Christmas Market is the oldest Christmas market in France and one of the oldest in Europe. The city’s rich architectural heritage embraces styles from the Medieval, Renaissance, Romantic to the Art Nouveau . The La petite france ,the old town, is a mix of narrow streets and alleys. The neighborhood is only A short walk from the Cathedral . At the edge of the district are four 14th century towers, which remain of the town’s ramparts.

The old town buildings are elaborated decorated. The half timbered front of the houses come alive in summer with colorful flowers which hang over the balconies and bridges, but in the Christmas season they are adorned with lights and intricate Christmas displays . Dating back o 16th century these same narrow streets are now filled with outdoor restaurants and shops.

Just a short drive from Strasbourg is the small village of
Colmar. Colmar is a also in the Alsace region of northeastern France, closer to the the border with Germany and affectionally known as little Venice. Its old town has cobblestone streets lined with half-timbered medieval and early Renaissance buildings. At Christmas every building is decorated with intricate Christmas displays and Christmas markets are abundant. The Gothic 13th-century, Eglise Saint-Martin church stands on central Place de la Cathédrale. The city is on the Alsace Wine Route, and local vineyards specialize in Riesling and Gewürztraminer wines. Don’t forget to also try the local Alsatian speciality something like a flatbread pizza called called tart flambé or a “flamekueche” And Alsatian sauerkraut meal cooked with different meats and vegetables and potatoes

https://www.cathedrale-strasbourg.fr/

the Strasbourg Cathedral de Notre-Dame is known as one of the most beautiful gothic cathedrals in Europe. And according to their website one of the Most visited cathedrals in France with 2,500,000 visitors aside from the famous Notre Dame cathedral in Paris The Cathedral stands on the exact site of a roman temple built on a little hill above the muddy ground. The first version appeared in 1002, destroyed by war , was rebuilt and additional fires again destroyed most of the original Romanesque building. Rebuilt at the end of the 12th century, this time with red stones carried from the nearby mountains, cathedral was renovated In the gothic architectural style .

Notre-Dame de Strasbourg Cathedral is one of the masterpieces of medieval architecture, having both the Romanesque style of the apse and transept with the Gothic style of the nave and facade. The high spire, of 143 meters, was for a long time the highest monument of Christianity. The cathedral has many treasures: stained glass windows dating from the 12th to the 14th century, the St. Pancrace’s altar (1522) from Dangolsheim, the 17th-century tapestries, and finally the astronomical clock

The principal work of the Renaissance, the astronomical clock is an invention put together by various artists, mathematicians and technicians. Swiss watchmakers, sculptors, painters and creators of automatons .The present mechanism dates from 1842.The first Strasbourg astronomical clock, L’horloge de Trois Rois, was being built from 1352 till 1354, but it stopped working in the beginning of 16th century. According to a legend, the local authorities of Strasbourg ordered that the constructor of the Astronomic Clock should be blinded so that he could not try to build something like it ever again.

Strasbourg’s unique location offers many opportunities for short day trips . Some notable things to see in the area other than the city Strasbourg and Colmar notably are the scenic wine route ,the village of Nancy, Mulhouse,Château du Haut-Koenigsbourg (castle video to come ), Eguisheim, Ribeauvillé, just to name a few and of course it’s proximity to Germany And Switzerland.