We arrived in france and drove there via the Luxembourg border. The farmland sunflowers and rolls of hay reminding us we were back in our favourite country.
After 21.80 euro in tolls and a long slow drive caused a car accident, we arrived at Anne’s, our French friend .
Dijon
At Anne’s we retrieved our suitcase from her basement and were surprise to see want was in it and for me everything fitted. This case was the small amount retrieved from our French barge sold three plus years earlier in the middle of covid. Many many loads of washing were done.
Anne was her usual great host and the next morning was spent in town seeing and reminiscing over the sights of Dijon . The old buildings, the market square and the duc of bourgogne palace to name a few.
But by far the favourite was coffee at what we call George’s cafe and photos by the pissing boy fountain.
Dinner that night we met up with Pascal and Catherine for spritz’s aperols and later dinner.
The dinner booking was 9pm and it was after ten before our food arrived. We had forgotten how the French eat so late. We ate canard Duck which wasn’t as good as we had hoped. Johns over cooked and mine a bit raw. Such a shame as I loved duck when we were in france in 2018.
Nancy
The third day was back to the van and off to Nancy where we stayed at the Port of Plaisance, power, showers and most facilities were available but all for extras fees. On the journey to Nancy we were stressed out by the tolls not accepting our ticket card or cash but finally this worked out by using our aussie credit card, just have to pay the fees!
The water pump has broken in the van and we only have water in a bucket until we can get it fixed after the weekend. Thankfully the Port has showers.
The afternoon was spent exploring the old part of the city pre 18 th c . The main square Place Stanislas has a large bronze statue of Stanislas and beautiful black and gold gates.
We past through other gates at the du Hal de Gaulle. Place Stanislas, D’Aliance and Carrierre all UNESCO listed sites.
We visited the Musée Lorraine-Palais des Ducs de Lorraine but inside isn’t open with all its pieces in the Église et chapelle des Cordeliers next door, so we visited there.
The other gates Porte Saint Nicolas and Saint Georges and de la Citadelle see above
Tired and foot sore we strolled back to van though the Parc de la Pépinière.
The next morning after major attempts to fix the water pump we gave up and walked to the art Nouveau area of Nancy and had lunch in the square. Then tired and exhausted we walked back to the van.
Colmar
We took the non toll road going through small French towns and beautiful French countryside to Colmar and then we will start the Alsace Wine route after here.
We are staying in the Port de Plaisance again and very unimpressed at paying 16 euro to park only . No showers toilets or facilities except power which you have to pay extra for and a washing machine also 5 euros, a small bonus.
The afternoon was spent in the centre of Colmar after the 1.3 km walk in to town in the horrid heat. We took the little people mover train around the sites, a great way to see things without making the feet sorer.
Then we visited the Unterlinden museum famous for its altar paintings
Had a beer in the square near the museum before popping into the cathredral and walking back to the van.
Day 2 Colmar My birthday
After a terrible start trying to sort out where we get the water pump fixed in the van and deciding to get to Strasbourg tomorrow instead of doing the wine route first . We will do this in reserve afterwards Strasbourg. They aren’t open till tomorrow so another day without water!
Anyway a lovely day in town. Starting with a coffee and treat … got to love the french cakes!
We then mainly spent out time around the little Venice area. We did a punt ride through the canals and took a million pictures of this delightful area with its flower boxes everywhere.
Oh dear the photo above of the new fashion trend, socks with sandles and our new french hats. Still better than more blisters.
Lunch was in the Place de l’ancienne Douane and afterwards we explored the Tanners district and took photos at the schwendi fountain with the bourgogne tiled roofs in the backdrop. We took a photo of the coat of arms for Colmar at the former customs house and visited the cathedral and much more.
The picture below is Pfizter house. a gorgeous house built in 1537 and the art on the building was added 16 c by the evangelists. My mum did a tapestry of this building that hangs on the brick wall on our verandah….special memories.
The fish mongers area was full of little shops selling all sorts of treats and we bought some macaroon / coconut type biscuits.
A great day where I found a new French hat and John got one too.
The weather cooler today and a nice walk all around the centre and old districts. A great birthday.
Strasbourg
We had to go straight to Strasbourg to get the water pump fixed and we were lucky they fitted us in straight away and also fixed the electrical connection to the tap that was preventing the pump from turning off. All charged to warranty.
And then off to the camp to find it booked out for weeks.
They sent us to one in Kehl which is across the Rhine river from Strasbourg and in Germany Not France but our sight seeing is in France with a long walk and tram to get to Strasbourg. The trip across the bridge quiet hair -raising as road works narrowed the lanes and we only just fitted though the barracks with a slight scratch to the mirrors.
The first address was wrong and then by the time we found the right place we were stressed and tired and had the rest of the afternoon resting and washing at the camp and that night there was a hailstorm which was scary, both us hoping that the glass on the van wouldn’t break.
Day 2 A big day out in Strasbourg which started with the 20 min walk to the tram that took us to near the centre of town. The tram ride across the border was another 20mins.
We started our exploring with another little train trip to orientate us and then after a crepe for lunch we went into the cathredral which was huge and amazing. Building started in 1277 and the spire is 1;2 m high . The elaborate sculptured decor is impressive as is the stone work on the outside and its stain glass windows.
Next door was la Maison Kammerzell the most beautiful house in Strasbourg and had belonged to rich merchants over the years from 1589, it is now a expensive restaurant.
We did the tourist walk past le palais Rohan, many musée and down to la petite france and the Maison of the tanners (1582).
Les Ponts couvents the wall bridge with towers is the main recognisable feature of Strasbourg and the Le barrage vauban dam has 13 floodgates that can be closed if required
The panoramic terrace allowed great photos over le petite france area.
Then a walk down rue Gutenberg to la place Gutenberg square where there is a statue of the man who developed the printing press, a stop at the academie of biere was required.
Then past the palais of the Rhin and back to Kehl on the tram.
A big days walk of 17000 steps.
Route of the vins Alsace
We began the route of vins the next day starting at Obernai but couldn’t find a park so returned later in the day for our explore.
So we had morning tea in the van at Ottrott , a small town with a pretty central area.
and after a short walk around the town we drove out to the Mont Saint Odile, a abbey built in 700s for blind girl who’s father wanted to kill her at birth. She was abandoned by him and when her sight return she became a helper for the disadvantaged at the abbey. The views from the abbey were amazing as was the abbey itself built on the side of a mountain. the walk back from the abbey to the car park went past the 12 stations of the cross.
That afternoon we bought a pastry sausage for dinner which was lovely , a beachel Cake which was stale and a choc pretzel biscuit which was uninteresting and some yummy nut toffee which was very expensive but interesting watching the lady cut it, this was all at the town of Obernai
That afternoon we continued to Barr to a camp in the vineyards.
How delightful!!!
We did lots of wine tasting , bought wine and later walked to the town centre where the annual festival of wine was on in town with music ,wine, beer and food.
A great night.
The next day 2 on the route of the vins.
We drove through many little towns and experienced lovely vineyard scenery.
Later stopping at Dambach-la-ville where the Bastille day festival was in full swing with free cake and wine for all .
We indulged a little before driving to the Haut Koenigsbourg castle.
Built in the Middle Ages but abandoned in 1633. Then Kaiser Wilhelm 11 commissioned the restoration of the castle in 1899 and then it was again restore in the 20 th century and now the most famous castle in the Alsace region, where the valley could be seen stretching for miles.
It’s armoury, draw bridges and architecture amazing.
Then a few more towns before finding a car park stop for the night in Ribeauville.
The evening was spent in the old part of town and dinner to finish a lovely day.
Day 3 on the Alsace wine route
We started at Riquewihr a pretty but touristy town where we bought a glass crystal light for home and enjoyed cafe and apricot tarte in town.
We moved on to Kaysersberg which has a ruin castle on the hill behind the town, which we didnt visit but we did a bit of shopping buying a tart , a bottle of Riesling and presents for the girls plus a t shirt for John.
Then we left the scenery of the vineyard area
For hay bales and corn growing while we drove up by side the Grand canal of Alsace at Rhinau, our free camp by the canal. The canal is just before it joins the Rhine river.
We travel back to Germany tomorrow to Baden Baden.
I love the socks with sandles, why didn’t John have them on also ???