Yesterday we headed down to the train station here in Colmar and navigated our way around the ticket machine (no staff on Sundays) to get return tickets for a visit to Strasbourg. We even managed to take advantage of our 'senior rail cards', I know, you are probably thinking we are surely not old enough!
We managed to find our way down to 'Ponts Couverts' and 'Barrage Vauban' which is the gateway into 'La Petite France' before finding a restaurant for lunch.
Lunch proved easy enough as there was one by the bridge in a similar situation to yesterday's in Colmar and very nice it was too!
The origin of the name 'La Petite France' apparently dates from the 15th century when there was a hospital here for treating syphilis, a disease contracted by French soldiers during the wars in Italy and one the Germans christened the 'French disease'.
In the past the area was home to tanners, fishermen and millers who made use of the water source. Today the area is reserved for pedestrians and cyclists so you can admire the numerous half-timbered houses that line the water's edge and alleyways in a fairly tranquil atmosphere.
After lunch we continued the well worn tourist walk back into the old town and the city's remarkable cathedral 'Notre Dame'.
Part II tomorrow.
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