Low Bridge, Everybody Down: Barging in Europe: Strasbourg, France

Strasbourg is a great city to visit. It's also an excellent base for exploring the Alsace region. While we hadn't planned on staying very long, we were so comfortable in the Marina (Port de Plaisance) of Europe Boat that we extended our stay until after two weeks we decided it was time to move on. While there we took our time exploring a variety of villages in the area as well as tasting some wonderful Riesling wines. Some of the Most beautiful Villages of France are located in the Alsace region.

We are facing the Council of Europe building with the flags behind us.

The Council of Europe is an international organization founded in the wake of World War II to uphold human rights, democracy and the rule of law in Europe. Founded in 1949 it has 46 member states representing a population of approximately 675 million. Its operating budget is around 500 million euros. We were fortunate in that they were in session when we went to visit. We listened to a delegate from Belarus condemn Russia’s invasion of the Ukraine. They pleaded their case to become part of the COE because they claim to share the same goals of democracy and human rights. Others attending spoke up to say Belarus still has problems with human rights. Various countries were glad to hear what the representative from Belarus had to say and offered their support.

The dramatic entry to the Council of Europe building

The Belaruse representative addressing the COE

Protest signs outside of the COE building

Cruising into Strasbourg on the Canal du Rhône-au-Rhin we passed the dramatic European Union Building. The European Parliament meets in both Strasbourg and Brussels.

Cruising by the European Union Building

Foyer of the European Parliament building

Where the European Parliament meets

We passed by some interesting barges on our way to Strasbourg. This barge had a nice size swimming pool on the deck under a removable glass roof.

Another pool on a barge

Strasbourg is the capital city of the Grand Est region of France, formerly Alsace. It sits near the German border with culture and architecture combining both the German and French influence.

The Gothic Cathedral Norte-Dame is a focal point of the city.

Statues to the left of the doorway of the Cathedral

The cathedral is dramatically lit at night.

Stained glass windows inside the cathedral

The cathedral has an astronomical clock with animated figures that come out every day at half past noon. The current mechanism dates from 1842.

After an amazing dinner in Strasbourg we strolled around the picturesque Petite France quarter. The millers and tanners once lived and worked in this part of the town. The half timbered houses date from the16th and 17h centuries. The sloping roofs open out onto lofts where hides were dried.