La Petite France (Little France)
by Fam_Stoica
Not far from the center of the city, just beyond the panoramic embankment (the Vauban dam), the river Ill spreads out into five different arms. The largest arm flowing north is named the Fosse du Faux-Rempart and takes the shape of an insular ellipse. To the north-east, the four smaller arms reunite at the the school of Saint-Thomas.
This capricious topography allowed for the construction of mills which attracted tanners to the area whose industry consumed great quantities of water. The outbreak, at the beginning of the 16th century, of patients with venereal diseases who had been contaminated during the wars in Italy, incited the Magistrate to isolate the ill in a building which has since been replaced by the square of the Covered Bridges (Ponts-Couverts).
As popular belief held, at the time of the hospital, a convinction that the French were responsibile for the outbreak of the venereal diseases, the hospital was referred to as Zum Französel or "Little France".
The Tanners district continues to be referred as Petite France (Little France).
The Emblem of Alsace: The Stork
by ruki
The Stork is symbol of the Strasbourg and the hole Alsace. When you walk all around you will see a stork. Storks have been a symbol of the Alsatian for many centuries. They would return every year from Africa to announce the coming of spring in France.Alsatian custom used to have a child who wanted a little brother or sister place a piece of sugar on the window ledge to attract the stork, in the hope it would leave the precious bundle in exchange for the treat.
Chocolate museum
by Nemorino
It's an easy one-hour bicycle ride from Strasbourg to the museum "The Secrets of Chocolate" in Geispolsheim. There you can learn all about the history of chocolate and how it is made from cacao beans. Admission is EUR 8.00 for adults, which is perhaps a bit steep for such a small museum, but no true chocolate lover will be deterred by the price.
There is a short film at the beginning, in a choice of languages, and then as you walk through the museum there are numerous text panels in French, German and English.
Second photo: In some of the historical exhibits there are life-sized figures that move, slightly, with electric motors. This is perhaps a bit corny, but it does make them seem more alive than they might otherwise. This lady is supposed to be a Spanish aristocrat drinking hot chocolate in the 16th century. Her hand with the cup in it moves up and down as though she were drinking.
Third photo: These cupboards contain all sorts of historical items connected with chocolate, and in the next room there are text panels explaining that chocolate is good for you, reduces your cholesterol level, etc., and also that it might be an aphrodisiac, at least Casanova thought so, and he ought to know.
Fourth photo: At the end there is a live demonstration of how hollow Easter bunnies and other such hollow figures are made out of chocolate. I won't explain it here because it's a secret, but I must admit I didn't know it before.
Fifth photo: The best way to cycle to the museum (not the shortest way, but the easiest and most pleasant) is to follow along this cycling path by the Rhine-Rhone Canal for about six kilometers, then turn right on a street called Rue des Vignes, then left on Route de Lyon, cross the Toll Bridge (it isn't a toll bridge any more, it's just called that), and then right into the Street of the Toll Bridge, the Rue du Pont du Péage. It helps to have a good cycling map, such as the free ones you get when you rent a bike.
It depends on from where you...
by RitchiS1
It depends on from where you ll come . Strasbourg has also a airport and is well conected by motorways .
Very modern tram . This is the station near our hotel.
It is called PLACE DE BORDEAUX .
The fare one way cost only 1,10 EURO .
Café with internet
by Nemorino about Café at the Place du Corbeau
This café at the Place du Corbeau is one of the more pleasant places to get an internet connection, as it is not so cramped as in most of the internet cafés.
And you can actually get a good cup of coffee here.
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River Boat on the Ill
Salomon
boat, River Ill, Strasbourg, France 2005
Visitors can rent boats
