Strasbourg is the capital and principal city of the Alsace region in Eastern France and sits right on the German border.  It has been the possession of both Germany and France over the centuries, is where Johannes Gutenberg invented the printing press and is home to Strasbourg Cathedral on which construction began in the twelfth century.  For awhile, it was the world’s tallest building.

They speak French here but the combination of German and French influence is most obvious in the food with many dishes in restaurants combining a part of each country’s historically significant cuisine.

We are fond of Strasbourg and hope to return, both for the city itself and as a jumping off point to beautiful and interesting areas of both France and Germany.  It is a medieval city with beautifully preserved Rhineland black and white timber-framed buildings and the intelligent use of its waterways, something I’ve wished they had done in Denver ever since I first visited San Antonio Texas.

We stayed at the Regent Petite France Hotel in the Petite France district of the city.  We dined outside at Lohkas Winstub on Rue Du Bain Aux Plantes and twice indoors at La Petite Alsace on the same street.  Unfortunately, they still allow smoking in the outdoor areas of restaurants on the continent and that generally kept us indoors to dine.

Lots of pictures as it is a beautiful town with a beautiful cathedral.  Off to Brussels.