2026-05-13 Strasbourg

 Wednesday, May 13, 2026

Today, Judy arrives at the Strasbourg train station at 5:37 PM. So, our plan for the day is to visit Strasbourg, have lunch at a restaurant, and collect Judy and her suitcase at the train station.

Strasbourg Centre Ville

Cathedral Square

I had forgotten how powerfully emotive Strasburg is. We arrived late morning, had good luck finding the parking near the cathedral and even found handicapped parking in the underground parking facility.

Merry-go-round on Gutenburg Square

As we came up, at noon, onto Gutenburg Square with the very large merry-go-round, the bells of Strasburg cathedral (Notre Dame de Strasbourg) began to peal - a harmonious song of many notes. It filled the square around the cathedral and the blocks beyond. I was mesmerized as the sound continued for many minutes before ringing 12 times to announce noon.

Paulette listening to the bells of Notre Dame de Strasbourg

High Gothic west facade of Notre Dame de Strasbourg

Statues on the west facade above the entrance

Not only was the sound of the bells powerful, the facade itself towered over us when we turned down the street leading to the cathedral. Until 1874, Strasbourg cathedral was the tallest church in the world. It is also one of the most visited. Its Gothic west facade towers over the buildings that line the street to the cathedral square. 

Walking toward Cathedral Square

Since laying its cornerstone in the 11th century, much of the cathedral has suffered from fires and wars, each time rising from rubble to a better, more modern church, a pattern followed by many French cities. This included the French Revolution when the "Enragés" (an early left wing organization) smashed the statues on the west facade. Most recently, US and British bombs caused significant damage in 1944 which has now been repaired. The cathedral shows the effects of these disasters in its pink sandstone (quarried in the Vosges) and blend of architectural styles. 

Dave, Lynn, & Paulette on the south side of the cathedral

In this square there was a stone table - a monument to the stonemasons who built the cathedral. Each stonemason had a unique symbol that he carved into each stone he dressed. This monument helps us remember the craftsmen who literally made the cathedral

Religious services were discontinued during both the French Revolution (The cathedral was renamed a Temple of Reason) and during WWII when Hitler forbade religious services in the church, intending to turn the church into a German state memorial at the end of the war. 

South transept of the cathedral

The inside is as impressive as its outside. The nave with its Gothic columns towers above the heads of visitors and leads to the high altar.. 

High Altar

This amazing astronomical clock was located in the south transept of the cathedral. It was built in the 16th century, stopped working in 1780, and rebuilt in the 1800s. It still keeps time, although it is a half hour behind. And the complicated movements of planets and biblical figures from the life of Christ parade at noon (really 12:30) every day.

Rose window and one of the organs

Paulette sitting in the back of church just in front of the main organ

We followed the tourist walking tour, at least part of it. We, of course, found lots of cool things to look at. 

A medieval courtyard, now a hotel

This half-timbered house is decorated with storks and gingerbread

For lunch, Dan had found a Michelin restaurant, that is, one of the Strasbourg recommendations found in the Michelin Green Guide. That's quite prestigious and difficult to get.  This restaurant is called  Au Pigeon, for good reason. There are 2 pigeons carved into panels on the front of the restaurant.

The restaurant first appeared in the 1300s.  In 1580 a brasserie opened with the name Au Pigeon. The name has continued up to today with changes of owners over time. The current family has run this restaurant since 1964. 

The restaurant is the brown building after the forsythia where Lynn and Paulette are standing.

Inside is decorated in the 18th century style for a brasserie (a bar & grill type restaurant). 

Au Pigeon

The food was typical Alsatian cuisine. Notice the happy customers

Duck, fried potatoes & red cabbage. Yum!

Dave & Lynn

Dan & Paulette

After lunch, we walked along the canal in an area called Little Venice. It was a lovely stroll which would have been even better if it had been sunny and warm.

The Strasbourg train station is outside of town, so we had to drive with the rush-hour traffic to get to the airport. Right on time, Dan and Dave went off to find Judy while Paulette and I stayed in the car. It took a bit to find Judy since there are multiple ways for her to get from the level of the tracks to the main entrance. Once collected, we were on the way home.

Aperos for dinner to welcome Judy to France - Lynn, Judy, Paulette

What could be more appropriate for our way of visiting France?