If, like me, you thought of Strasbourg as a little old dull postcard village somewhere in France, well, my friend, you thought wrong. I must admit that moving to Strasbourg worried me. I see myself as a real city-person and at first glance, Strasbourg is pretty. That’s for sure. But perhaps it would be a bit boring? During my first weekend here, Strasbourg has proven me wrong.

Strasbourg is, as its name mentions, at the crossing of ‘roads’; still located in France, yet obviously influenced by Germany; historically intact, yet driven by modernization and commerce; charmingly old, yet the European Institutions and nearly 50.000 students keep the city alive and vibrant. Biking around the city is the best way to get around and see the timber-framed houses, canals and winding cobblestoned roads of ‘la petite France’ where people sit outside while eating Flammenkuche or Sauerkraut; Place St. Etienne and Place du Marche Gayot where students chat and drink; the facades of the ‘right out of a Brothers Grimm story’ houses of Krutenau; the galleries and weekly markets of place Kleber; the newly constructed modern fashion malls and docks of Neudorf; and, quoting Goethe; ‘the sublimely towering Notre Dame Cathedral’.

This year is quite a special one for Strasbourg as the foundations of its Cathedral were constructed exactly 1000 years ago in 1015. To honour the millennial celebrations, spectacular lights illuminate the Cathedral every night between July 4th and September 20th.

Looking forward to see what else this place has to offer…crepes, ice cream, local beers and wine, parcs and cool hangouts?