My European Adventure 2025: Strasbourg
On my way to Paris, I stopped in Strasbourg – a historic city on the border of Germany in France’s Alsace region. The name translates to “city of streets”, and it shows because the whole city was very walkable and lined with stone streets alive with pedestrians and charming shops.
The city is full of history and culture, as it was originally built in 12BC by the Romans, but was eventually conquered by Louis XIV in 1681. Since that time, it has changed back and forth from German to French rule, until the end of WWII when France took the city back from German occupation. It is known for its hybrid culture and cuisine, being a perfect split between French and German heritage.
A number of important things happened in Strasbourg: Johannes Gutenberg invented the moveable type printing press, and the original Notre Dame Cathedral was built.
Strasbourg’s Notre Dame was started in the 12th century and was completed in 1439. For years it was the world’s tallest building, and even today it is the 6th tallest church in the world. Paris’ famous Notre Dame was inspired by Strasbourg’s but is considerably smaller, with Strasbourg’s highest point measuring 466 ft vs Paris’ 226 ft.
The old part of Strasbourg, where the cathedral is built, is an island that frequently flooded, which makes the foundation under this heavy building unstable and constantly sinking. It is always undergoing maintenance, and is one reason why they never completed the second tower as it would add too much weight to the soft ground (the second reason being a lack of funds).
The church has a controversial artifact inside: an astronomical clock, following the movement of the planets. At a time when science and religion being mixed was frowned upon, it was hotly contested. The original clock was built in the 1350s and is thought to be the first example of an automated machine in the world, featuring a gold rooster, a symbol of Christ, that moved at noon daily. The clock is incredibly complex and has a perpetual calendar, a planetary dial, and a display of the position of the Sun, Moon, and eclipses. The main attraction is the movement of the 18" figures of Christ and the Apostles, which occurs daily at noon.
A more somber reminder of history, several buildings in the city had disarmed bomb shells from World War II still lodged in the stone, like this hotel.
^ Kougelhopf from a local bakery - a traditional sweet bread made with a soft yeasted dough. It is particularly popular in the Alsace region of France, as well as in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.
A roasted chestnut vendor on the street. >
Beignets - a regional fried dough, similar to a donut, rolled in sugar. Perfect with a cup of tea! >>
Of course I could not go to Alsace without testing the regional food! The region is known for bratwurst, cheese, mustard, beer and pretzels. There is a running joke between Germany and France that the French “have no teeth” since Alsatian pretzels are soft-baked, whereas traditional German pretzels are normally crunchy. My favorite pretzel had rosemary, sea salt and herbs.
This traditional sausage is called "Knack" because of the snapping noise its firm casing makes when you cut into it! >
The prosciutto made in Strasbourg is very similar to the cured meats made in my hometown in Croatia. The spaetzle also reminded me of making fresh pasta with my family growing up on the farm.
This spaetzle dish was baked with raclette cheese - you might recognize it as the cheese recommended for fondue since it melts so nicely. ⌄
I’m sure you could guess what my favorite dish was – dessert of course! We enjoyed a regional apple tart flambé, that gets lit on fire right at your table for the freshest roasted apple taste.
What’s Next
I made one more stop while I was in Europe: Paris. Stay tuned to learn all about the recipe research we conducted in the City of Lights!
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Thanks for reading along!
-Ines