Tour of Strasbourg, France including its Gothic Cathedral - Strasbourg Cathedral - Strasbourg Alsace - Strasbourg, France During our classic Alsace & Lorraine cruise we enjoy a tour of Strasbourg, France, including of course, a visit to the 12th century Gothic pink sandstone cathedral, home to an astronomical Renaissance clock and a soaring spire. We visit Place Gutenberg and explore La Petite France, a pedestrian area brimming with half-timbered houses, boutique shops and cafes. Situated at a meeting point of the North-South and East-West communication routes, Strasbourg, ("the town at the crossroads") has benefited from commerce of all kinds and also encouraged the free movement of ideas. Founded by the Romans in 12 BC, Strasbourg has always occupied a strategic position in Europe. From the 17th to the 20th century Strasbourg changed hands many times between the French and the Germans. Following WWII Strasbourg was chosen as the European capital. New York, Geneva and Strasbourg are the only cities in the world which are home to international institutions without being national capitals. The whole of Strasbourg's town centre, the "Grande Ile", has been listed as a World Heritage of Humanity site by UNESCO thanks to the richness of its architectural heritage. On this island in the Ill River, the covered bridges and old bridges of the mills of Strasbourg offer an exceptional walk. More than 20 bridges cross the River Ill and its artificial arm "the canal of the false ramparts". Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Strasbourg is an outstanding masterpiece of Gothic art. The first stone was laid in 1015 and the spire was completed in 1439. Up until the 19th century, the cathedral was the highest building in the whole of the Christian world and is still the highest medieval building in Europe. A Renaissance masterpiece, the Astronomical Clock is a result of the combined work of artists, mathematicians and technicians. The current mechanism dates from 1842. The main attraction of the clock is its animated figures which come out to delight the public every day at half past noon. *Music by Flush Audio - https://soundcloud.com/flushaudio *Video Production by Kit Forman Image from © C.FLEITH

• published: 16 Oct 2013
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