Alsace: Kaysersberg

On our way back to Strasbourg Monday morning to return on the TGV to Paris, we stopped in the village of Kaysersberg. The name means Emperor's Mountain in German. During the Middle Ages, Kaysersberg prospered as a member of the Décapole (an alliance of ten Imperial cities of the Holy Roman Empire in Alsace where German was spoken, including Colmar and Mulhouse). In 1648, the city became a part of France, although most inhabitants continued to speak German. After the Franco-Prussian war and until the end of World War I, Kaysersberg belonged to Germany. We drove into the  darling little town and found a place to park and walk around.

Kaysersberg Streets

Kaysersberg half-timber homes

It turned out that Monday was market day in Kaysersberg. Sande and Kate shopped for nice linen tops, dresses and pants at a booth at the Marché. Who would have thought they would find such cute pieces in little Kaysersberg. They seemed to sell everything at the Marché-from fruits and vegetables to swimsuits!

Kaysersberg Marché

Swimsuits for Sale

At the Marché we came across a darling girl named Ariel selling coffee, hot chocolate, homemade carrot cake and other treats out of the back of her little Renault. She called it the Ariel Café. Ariel had a coffe/hot chocolate machine set up in the back of the Renault. Of course we had to get our breakfast from her. The carrot cake was yummy!

Ariel's Café in a Renault

Ariel making hot chocolate

Kate waiting for her breakfast

We enjoyed exploring the town-so many cute buildings, shops and signs. Everywhere was ready for Easter.

Chez Roger Restaurant

There were large gingerbread men in the windows of shops across the street from each other.

Gingerbread Man waving to
his friend across the street

Gingerbread Man in the window

The signs in the town were so cute.

Piano Player sign and
Stork sign

L'Ami Fritz

Poterie Alsacienne
Coucou de la Forêt Noir

La Patisserie

The architecture in the town was so interesting. We thought the building above where Kate is standing looked like it belonged in Belgium or les Pays Bas. The shutters on the building below reminded me of the Amish decoration in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

Du Chateau

 

The Holy Cross Church in town was simple and stately. I was surprised when I walked in to look up and see Christ on the cross right in the middle of the nave of the church. It was a bit startling at first, but drew me in and centered my thoughts on Christ and the Easter season.

Kaysersberg Church

Crucified Christ

Kate near the river

Biscuit Shop

Biscuiterie Artisanal

Alsatian "bretzels" and storks were everywhere in the signs.

Kate on a Kaysersberg Street

Every corner of Kaysersberg was charming and beautiful. This is definitely another village in Alsace not to miss.

Kate, Sande and Mike

Basel and Luzern, Switzerland

Sunday was Switzerland day. Our first stop was Basel. The weather had turned much cooler. While we waited for the art museum to open, we walked over the nearby bridge in the cold and wind.

View of Basel from the Bridge

Ferry 

We noticed a little boat with a Swiss flag crossing the river. We looked more closely and realized the ferry's flag was attached to a cable drawing it across the river.

The streets were a bit quiet on a Sunday morning. Basel was clean and beautiful and felt so tidy and Swiss. I loved the old buildings and especially the doors.

Beautiful Basel Home

Basel Door

Olsperger Hof 1389

I was surprised how old this house was-1389!

Basel Streets

Eptingerhof Door

We strolled by the church in Basel. The green patterned roof was beautiful. We approached it from the side when all seemed quiet. But around front it was bustling on a Sunday.

Basel Church Side View

Basel Church

We extended our time in Switzerland by going to Luzern. I was last in Luzern in 1980 when Kelly and I were on Study Abroad in Paris. I remembered the long covered wooden bridge across the Reuss River.

Luzern Waterfront

Luzern Short Wooden Bridge

The first covered wooden bridge we saw was just a warm up to the famous one I remembered.

Luzern View with Mike

The wall of the city can be seen in the distance with its stone tower. Luzern was picture perfect every direction we looked.

With Kate and View of Large Covered Wooden Bridge

I had a hard time getting everyone to pose for a picture on the bridge. This was the closest I could get!

Luzern Bridge

Luzern Bridge

The bridge was originally built in 1365 as part of Luzern's fortifications linking the old town on the right bank with the new town on the left bank of the Reuss.

City Tower

Since we were in Switzerland, we thought we should have fondue for lunch. We dipped potatoes and bread in the warm Swiss cheese and enjoyed a lovely meal.

Fondue

Luzern Waterfront

It was a beautiful afternoon in Luzern. We were glad we made the effort to see it and grateful for Mike who drove us the two hours back to Colmar for the evening.

Sande in Luzern