For romantics, France is the ultimate must do on all travel bucket lists. Whilst the iconic capital is well known as the City of Love, diehard romantics mustn’t overlook the equally beautiful and more intimate Strasbourg, the City of Romance.
Just 2:20hrs from the Paris Charles de Gaulle airport and the Paris Gare de l’Est railway station, Strasbourg is the perfect addition to your French itinerary. Leaving Paris, you will traverse through France’s impressive countryside and stumble upon the picturesque city of Strasbourg. With its cobbled alleyways, intimate squares and enchanting canals, you will quickly discover for yourself why this unforgettable city is giving Paris a run for its money in the love stakes.
Impossibly charming, drenched in history and picture perfect, areas of Strasbourg seem almost untouched by time. Listed as an UNESCO World Heritage site, the city’s historical centre is littered with cultural must-see’s such as the Gothic Cathédrale Notre-Dame, with its imposing views of the Rhine River. You will be able to catch glimpses of the cities medieval past dotted and preserved throughout the district where quaint streets and water-ways are overlooked by 16th and 17th century half-timbered homes.
Strasbourg is a city of beautiful contrasts. Bordering Germany in the historic region of Alsace, Strasbourg boasts a unique cultural and architectural heritage that is both part-French and part-German. Away from the historical centre you will find a side to Strasbourg that projects a young and lively city, home to the European Parliament and the Council of Europe, Strasbourg manages to entwine both the past and present into an unforgettable city experience.
A highlight for romantics travelling in February is the Strasbourg Mon Amour Festival, running from 10th to the 19th of the month. The ten-day event celebrates all things love and romance. The festival hosts gourmet tête-à-tête dinners, exclusive concerts and is renowned for putting a poetic, cultural and slightly quirky twist on the lead up to Valentine’s Day.
France is well equipped to be explored via train and February is the perfect month to take advantage of the Eurail One Country Extra Day Summer Promotion. From February 1st until March the 31st you will be able to utilise one free extra day of rail travel with any Eurail One Country Pass. The pass allows you to choose between 3, 4, 5 or 8 days’ worth of rail travel within a 1 month period. You will be able to get the most out of France’s diverse landscape by train and include beautiful cities like Strasbourg into your travels.
With an extensive rail network and fast, efficient and comfortable carriages, there is no better way to embrace all things romantic this February than by traipsing across the beautiful countryside with your loved one in tow.
So sit back, relax and let someone else do the driving...Your adventure throughout France starts right here on the train. For more inspirational journeys around France, booking and rail ticket or pass information, please visit www.raileurope.com.au (External link) .