The bread, wine and cheese here are, as they say in the classics, to die for. Because France's farmers have the government by the throat, subsidies run at about 50% of the cost of production. Making wine, bread and cheese remarkably cheap - less than half the cost in Australia. We thank the French tax payer for their generous contribution and eat up! We have been bringing goodies back to our cosy apartment and eating like gourmands. Our vin chaud rouge has been confined to the markets until yesterday, when I found a shop selling the spice mix. Now we are gargling spiced, warmed Bordeaux like locals!
The old centre is ringed by a rapidly flowing canal, joined to the rest of the city by a dozen bridges. It is perhaps two square kilometres, an easy walk. It is world heritage listed for its medieval and tudor buildings and complete streetscapes. it is a delight to wander through, even in this bitter december weather. The buildings are decorated with all things Christmassy, pine boughs, balls, stars among them.
At Strasbourg's heart is the Cathedral de Notre Dame, a magnificent gothic building, exquisitely decorated with carved stone, its spire piercing the clouds. Now, it is surrounded by Christmas markets, selling trinkets of all sorts to a rugged up phalanx of tourists. We are among them.
Strasbourg is the self-proclaimed capital of Christmas and that is a title I'm happy to let it wear. The combination of the historic streets, decorated houses, superb cathedral and market stalls do it for me. Oh, and did I mention the vin chaud?
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