trassbourg is a large city on the French/German border. Like many of Europe's larger cities, it is comprised of a modern downtown and suburbs, but has preserved a portion of it's old town. In this case, the old town has become known as, "Petite Paris" and is comprised of plaster and timber framed buildings (known as half-timber).
The Meurthe River flows around Petite Paris on its way to the Rhine. Surrounded by a series of locks and dams, the old town is actually an island within the city and the river. Fortifications along the river bespeak this areas more violent past, while the tourist boats that circle the island indicate a more commercial present.
We only spent the afternoon in Strassbourg, but did have the chance to climb to the top of the cathedral there. Did I mention that I (Erik) don't like heights? The cathedral had 14 million circular stairs all winding up the outside of the spire. And like most 'gothic' cathedrals, they minimized the stonework making it as lacy (and fragile!) as possible. It was a long way to the top. It was even longer on the way down.