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.
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| Kaysersberg Streets |
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| 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!
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| Kaysersberg Marché |
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| 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!
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| Ariel's Café in a Renault |
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| Ariel making hot chocolate |
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| Kate waiting for her breakfast |
We enjoyed exploring the town-so many cute buildings, shops and signs. Everywhere was ready for Easter.
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| Chez Roger Restaurant |
There were large gingerbread men in the windows of shops across the street from each other.
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Gingerbread Man waving to
his friend across the street |
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| Gingerbread Man in the window |
The signs in the town were so cute.
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Piano Player sign and
Stork sign |
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| L'Ami Fritz |
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Poterie Alsacienne
Coucou de la Forêt Noir |
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| Kaysersberg Church |
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| Crucified Christ |
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| Kate near the river |
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| Biscuit Shop |
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| Biscuiterie Artisanal |
Alsatian "bretzels" and storks were everywhere in the signs.
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| Kate on a Kaysersberg Street |
Every corner of Kaysersberg was charming and beautiful. This is definitely another village in Alsace not to miss.
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| Kate, Sande and Mike |
Such a wonderful little town. I loved hearing about the car cafe and the linen clothes. Amazing the swimming suits were being sold alongside the fruit and veggies!
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