Strasbourg--The French Connection

From Basel at the junction of Switzerland, Germany and France we sailed to Strasbourg in the Alsace region of eastern France. What a uniquely charming city! It’s center is an island formed by the Ill River on one side and the Faux-Rempart, a canalized part of the Ill on the other. We sailed around the island heart with about 65 % of city’s population in a glass-covered boat, giving us an up-close look at charming 4-6 story homes, businesses and key institutions of the European Union based in Strasbourg. The latter include the seat of the (purely advisory) Council of Europe, the legislative part of the European, and the Court of Justice.
The city, which has changed hands four times between France and Germany or Prussia in wars over the last 200 years is now a prosperous city symbolizing the countries’ intent to work together on peace.Read more