We are still enjoying summer in Alsace! Some days are quite hot and humid, but there is always a cold beer or wine available! Thank God!

We are still discovering lots of interesting places in our area. We visited the village of Burgheim , which is one of the rare Alsatian towns to have almost completely preserved it’s medieval town walls built in 1311.

 

Bergheim is also known for it’s “Witches House” Museum , as many women in the town in days gone by were tortured , judged and burnt at the stake for alleged acts of witchery.

We did an afternoon drive into Germany and visited the town of Lahr. It was a Sunday afternoon and it was extremely quiet. The historic town Hall, now the tourist bureau was impressive, as was the coffee and Black Forest cake we had for a “snack” …..well we had to because we were near the Black Forest!

We discovered the “Route des Cinq Chateaux” or the Route of the Five Castles in the Vosges hills where yes, you guessed correctly there are 5 castles!

 

The large Hohlandsbourg Castle , as you can tell, has had many renovations over the years and it was definitely not our favourite! Lots of children’s activities and more of a “theme park” rather than an historic castle!

 

 

We then continued onto the next three castles on the route, know as the “Three Castles of Eguisheim” , and although they were ruins, they were quite impressive. Sorry , there is no photo of Number 5 castle! Mainly because it was such a ruin it was not worth a photo!

 

 

We did a day trip back into Germany and went to Freiburg on the train. Greg’s knees received a good workout with loads of walking during the day.

 

Of course within the first hour our usual coffee stop was essential. We found a nice quiet spot in a lovely narrow curved street and did some people watching for a while.

 

 

 

 

The main square. Munsterplatz, is the home of the rather magnificent Munster or Cathedral with it’s imposing tower , once termed “the most beautiful tower of Christianity”!

 

 

It was built between 1200 and 1513 ( can’t rush these things!) and it is one of the few large Gothic church buildings completed in the Middle Ages that has survived through many wars including the bombing of Freiburg in WW11.

 

There are many beautiful buildings around the Munsterplatz , including the Merchants Hall built in 1520 and served as a Customs , Trade and Finance House.

 

The Swabian Gate , built in the middle of the 13th Century is one of only two gates remaining in the city, however it was quite impressive!

Of course after all this walking, it was time for refreshments and a beer (or 2 ) and we were lucky enough to “stumble across” the Feierling Beer Garden! Spot Greg below???

 

So, after 2 weiss wurst sausages and a bretzel  each and a few beers, it gave us the stamina to continue our tour. It was a  great setting and although the food was not “gourmet” it was fun!

 

The Altes Rathaus or the old town hall was rather nice with it’s red facade.

We caught the cog wheel railway up to the Schlossberg, a tree covered hill above the old town for some great views over the old city.

On the way back to the train station we decided to stop for another beer! Understandable because it was a quite hot and tiring day but enjoyable!

 

We have enjoyed a meal at the local restaurant here in Ammerschwihr, and tried an Alsatian specialty,  Bouchee a la Reine and it was delicious. It consisted of chicken, veal mushrooms and other veges in a yummy cream sauce and served in a puff pastry case.

 

We visited the nearby, very pretty , quiet , non touristy village of Huawihr, one of The Most Beautiful Villages in France.

There were lots of lovely half timbered houses built around the 16th and 17th Century.

 

At the top of the village is the beautiful 14th Century fortified church, and the views over the hills were fabulous.

 

 

We then continued to the town of Selestat. We were there on a Friday at lunchtime and the town was soooooo quiet, as usual , everything closes except restaurants in France from 12 to 2pm!

 

We wandered around, stopped for lunch and took a few photos.

 

 

We have noticed that the men here in France seem to enjoy going to the supermarkets with their wives! Why you may ask! Well the supermarkets all have bars in them, so the wives do the shopping while the “boys” stand at the bar and drink…….even at 9.30am in the morning! In Greg’s words …quite civilized! Maybe it will catch on back in Aus!

So talking about drinking……yep, it is that time again!

Lots of love

Rhonda and Greg