Angela and Roland's European Adventure: Wednesday 12th April

We arrived at the campsite early yesterday afternoon as it was only a short hop from Besançon. It was such a lovely sunny day that we decided to relax in the sunshine and to leave exploring Strasbourg for today. Roland was very keen to visit Strasbourg, as it was a place he has wanted to visit for some time.

As usual we took public transport into town. This time it was the tram, the stop being just a short twenty minute walk from the campsite through a lovely park area. We purchased an all day pass as the city is very spread out (public transport prices have been very reasonable everywhere we have been so far).

There is a lot to see in Strasbourg and we initially strolled about just taking in the atmosphere.

Place Kléber

Street View Strasbourg

Strasbourg has a very impressive cathedral, but unfortunately it was not open at the time of our visit so we had to content ourselves with views of the outside.

Strasbourg Cathedral

Cathedral Square was very busy with tourists even this early in the season, but who can blame people for wanting to visit such an interesting place.

The much photographed 15c Kammerzell House

After ambling about for some time we decided to take the rather cute little tourist train to get a better idea of what we may wish to return to visit at greater length. It was great for that purpose and for getting a relaxed view of the inner city. However, it was not so good for taking pictures, because of the bumpy ride along cobbled streets.

On the Strasbourg little tourist train

Who can resist a good hat

Angela was keen to take a trip out to the European Parliament, so we took the sleek modern tram out to the Parliament area. It was lovely warm and sunny and we spent quite a bit of the afternoon taking in the atmosphere of the place. It was a very informative visit, but a sobering experience. We marveled at the spectacular buildings: a metaphor for the building of Europe into a modern vibrant forward looking society - one we are now leaving. We both wondered where our place in Europe now lay, but more importantly, what legacy we are leaving for our children and grandchildren.

Villa Kayserguet, housing a history of the European Union

European Court of Human Rights

European Parliament

What would he have thought of Brexit

European Parliament - United we stand

Soon to be forgotten at the European Parliament

European Parliament

"sitting in the railway station
no idea of our destination"

Well, we had to cheer ourselves up after our visit to the European parliament, and what better way than strolling around the beautiful "Petite France" area of the town and ending with a beer in a pretty quayside bar.