James Went To Strasbourg

Continuing my lookback at my European train adventure in June, my next stop after Basel and Liechtenstein, was Strasbourg.

Let me set the scene for you.

I’d spent 3 nights in Basel, in Basel there was nobody homeless, nobody edgy, the weather was poor and the people were all fairly identikit – no punks, no goths, no hot women – everyone kind of dressed the same in 1980’s M&S clothing. Everything was expensive, I didn’t have any especially good food, the trams were all on time. Everything was just very regular.

Upon arrival in Strasbourg, it was hot and sunny! Finally, it had felt like such a long wait for some summer in 2024. There were weirdoes and people asking me for spare Francs. And, oh boy, there were attractive French women everywhere. I was in love.

And then I went to lunch at Les Sales Gosses – for the price of 1.5 beers in Basel.

Fine, there were only two meals to choose from, but otherwise everything was perfect. And I mean perfect. And how often do I say that about restaurants? PERFECT.

This was your quintessential neighbourhood French restaurant, everyone else was French, though the waiting staff spoke sufficient English for me to get by. The bread was delicious, the starter of goats cheese on ratatouille was Michelin Star level of superb, and the salmon main was delightful too, with artichoke.

The best meal of my holiday…in fact, one of my best meals of 2024 – and for just €20.80. Seriously. Insanely superb.

BeerBourg

I was in love with Strasbourg. And then I found a little craft beer place on a canal.

In the sunshine.

Could Strasbourg get any better?

Well, I went for a walk around the centre, full of tourists for sure, but also Strasbourg exuded historic charm everywhere.

How pretty can a city be?

Even the trams had a gallic funk about them. Well, one of the trams did. Oh and if Basel is reading – they ran regularly and got me from my hotel to the centre in 10-15 minutes.

Eurosbourg

Alas, I had commitments and couldn’t enjoy my day much longer – yep, England were playing that evening, and we successfully drew 0-0. SouthGREAT. Not sure if I’m being ironic about our greatest ever manager there.

Though I did also have the amusement of watching France fuck up before that, yep with some astounding hot French women around me – albeit chain-smoking cigarettes.

And that was that. Except for some currywurst and a slightly drunken me getting a tram back to the hotel.

Why did I choose to stay in Strasbourg just one night? Why?

What a great place Strasbourg is. I really, really need to go back.