We travelled to Strasbourg by train with our 5-year-old Kidsetter in tow. Strasbourg is the capital city of the Grand Est region, formerly Alsace, in northeastern France. It’s also the formal seat of the European Parliament and sits near the German border, with culture and architecture blending German and French influences. Its Gothic Cathédrale Notre-Dame features daily shows from its astronomical clock and sweeping views of the Rhine River from partway up its 142m spire.
Time to locate our rented apartment. As it was cold and a new town to us, we decided to divide and conquer to avoid all of us wandering around aimlessly with our luggage. Staying with our Kidsetter at the train station, I did my usual scan of our surroundings. I noticed a beggar whom’s scent wandered even from 20 feet away. Although he looked shabby, I knew instantly he was harmless so felt quite comfortable being so close with our Kidsetter. We settled in for what I thought would be a minimal wait. We waited longer than normal so I was entertaining our Kidsetter with my usual travel games. After a while we both nestled into each other and people watched. Suddenly I looked up. If I had wanted to protect our Kidsetter from danger it was too late. The beggar was standing over us. Oh no !! What did he want? Was he going to mug us? The beggar had come to offer us a few of his own pretzel’s speaking in French. I politely declined whilst staring at his filthy fingernails. Eventually the beggar returned to his spot again.
Our Kidsetter asked “Mummy, Why didn’t you take a one?” I replied, “You should never take food from strangers as you don’t know if it’s safe to eat.” He watched the beggar from afar and said “Look mummy it is safe, he’s eating pretzels.” I said, “I know honey, but he wasn’t that clean was he, and we wouldn’t want to have become sick”. After a few moments he replied, “But mummy, he was offering them from his heart.” Wow ! Empathy developing in a 5-year-old Kidsetter. I could learn a lesson or two.
Our 2-bedroom apartment was on Rue des Orfevres. An ideal location to enter the spirit of Christmas as the moment we left the apartment we were in the middle of the festivities.
The Strasbourg patisseries blend the best of German and French food with amazing displays in the windows delighted our Kidsetter.
Happiness is a delicious pastry fresh from the closest patisserie!
A ceiling of twinkling lights brings magic to the entire length of the Grand rue, and all visitors are welcomed through two illuminated entrances on each side. 22 illuminated and twinkling barrels are hung up high as a nod to the history of the street, where the barrels delivered to the docks were then rolled to the businesses.
Wandering through the alleyways and streets of Stasbourg felt like a fairytale. After discovering many of the 300 stalls we came to the heart of Place Kléber, the Great Christmas Tree which is the essential symbol of Strasbourg, ‘Capital of Christmas’.
The inspiring cathedral surrounded by beautiful Christmas markets with the smell of bredele biscuits and mulled wine is in the air. This is where Kidsetters and families can’t help being filled with the spirit of Christmas, making for an unforgettable Christmas celebration.
