From the Roannais to Strasbourg and The Alsace. By Brian Franklin

Once again, the central position of the Roannais in the Rhône-Alpes is perfect for a fast and easy few hours drive East into another glorious part of France – the heart of the magnificent Alsace region.

Strasbourg is a city in eastern France. The city has about 272,000 people. There are about 450,000 people in the metropolitan area. The city is also the capital of the Alsace region, and the Bas-Rhin département. It is at the border with Germany. The city on the other side of the Rhine is called Kehl.
Strasbourg is the seat Council of Europe, of the European Court of Human Rights and of the European Parliament. A lot of people also consider Strasbourg as the capital of the European Union.
It is the seventh largest city in France. (The first three are Paris, Lyon and Marseille.) It is special in that the whole old town has been classified as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

The city was founded by the Romans in 12 BC by Drusus, the brother of Tiberius.

With its monumental cathedral featuring carvings as delicate as any piece of lacework, Strasbourg is one of Europe’s most attractive cities. Thanks to the richness and sheer density of its heritage sites, the entire town centre has been listed as UNESCO World Heritage. Strasbourg is definitely well worth a visit, to discover its history, its cuisine and its unique atmosphere.

In Strasbourg, cooking is more than just an art of living, it is a vibrant and living culture backed up by centuries of tradition, yet constantly experimenting and innovating, driven on by the talent of the great chefs and the dynamism of the city’s restaurant owners.
Traditional Alsatian specialities such as sauerkraut, baeckeoffe, flambé tart, spaetzle and foie gras can be best enjoyed in the “winstubs”, local Alsatian taverns known for their friendly atmosphere. Strasbourg is renowned for its hundreds of restaurants and brasseries offering the latest culinary trends and dishes from all around the world.

It is a superb place.

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