Bienvenue à Strasbourg!

On Sunday morning, we awoke in beautiful Strasbourg, France, a city that feels like a storybook come to life. We began our day with a two-hour guided walking tour through the city center, which turned out to be the perfect way to get oriented and understand why Strasbourg is often described as a crossroads of Europe. Sitting on the Rhine just a mere three miles from the Germany border and shaped by centuries of both French and German influence, the city uniquely blends cultures, architecture, and traditions.

Much of our tour focused on the Grande Île, Strasbourg’s historic island center and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Winding canals, half-timbered houses, and narrow cobblestone streets make it impossible not to stop constantly for photos, except for the fact that we faced yet another cold, gray, and dreary day. My photography has definitely been compromised this trip.

One of the highlights was the Strasbourg Cathedral (Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Strasbourg), a masterpiece of Gothic architecture built of pink sandstone primarily between the 12th and 15th centuries. It sits snugly within a square surrounded by buildings all around. As such, I wasn’t able to get any good photos of it aside from a couple of close-ups and one terribly underexposed (then over-compensated to lighten it), side-street view.

Its most prominent feature is its asymmetrical appearance with only one tower, or spire. The cathedral was originally intended to have two towers, but only the north spire was completed. Changing opinions, soaring costs, and later the French Revolution brought construction to a permanent halt. This unique silhouette has become one of Strasbourg’s most recognizable features.

For more than 200 years, its single spire made it the tallest building in the world (we’re noticing a trend with cathedrals we’ve seen on this trip that once claimed this honor).

We also wandered into Petite France, the city’s most picturesque neighborhood. Once home to tanners, millers, and fishermen, today it’s filled with flower-draped houses leaning over canals and footbridges. Our guide shared stories of medieval life here, which made strolling through the area feel like stepping back in time, only now with twinkling lights and evergreen garlands strung everywhere for the holidays.

After the tour, it was time to do what Strasbourg does best in December: Christmas markets. Often called the “Capital of Christmas,” Strasbourg has been hosting markets since 1570, making them some of the oldest in Europe. Instead of one central market, they are scattered throughout the city, each with its own personality.

Before making our way through several markets, we learned of a local, Michelin-starred chef who serves fresh made soup and donates all the proceeds to local charities focused on feeding the hungry. It was a chore to find the exact square near a local school where his wooden stall was set up, but we found it and enjoyed a delicious cup of steaming pumpkin soup with puréed pinion nuts.

Afterward, with a mug of vin chaud (France’s version of glühwein) in hand, we slowly made our way from market to market, soaking up the festive atmosphere. The towering Christmas tree at Place Kléber was especially impressive, standing like a glowing centerpiece for the entire city.

Strasbourg is historic and beautifully charming; we can see returning here in warmer months to really experience all this lovely city has to offer.

Back on our ship, we celebrated nearing the end of our river cruise with an ugly Christmas sweater party and white elephant gift exchange. In my opinion, Chuck should’ve won the contest – hands down! His hilarious sweater caused both high fives and photos as well as a few glaring stares.

Tomorrow we will enjoy our final stop in Basel, Switzerland, before disembarking on Tuesday morning. Until then, bonne nut!