Monday, 23 June 2014

Day 53. Basel to Mulhouse, France.

Day 53: Basel to Mulhouse, France. 52 km, 3:06.

It was a beautiful day as we cycled out of Munchenstein through the quiet streets of Basel. Michael very kindly offered to show us the way. After only 5 km we were in the centre and made our way along the Rhine through the industrial area. Novartis and Roche have their headquarters here, with Roche in the process of building the highest structure in Europe.

Michael left us at Hunigeu on the Rhone au Rhin canal. This is where the three countries converge on the Rhine. It was fantastic to have a personal tour guide and navigator pointing out some landmarks that we would never have seen otherwise. What a lovely evening we spent with Jenny and Michael and lovely to meet their dear little Laurin of 3 months.

The remainder of the route hugged the canal through Kembs. We watched some exciting kayaking on a special course just outside Hunigeu. These guys are so skilled at passing through the gates in both directions, no wonder they do so well at the Olympic level.

A lady and her son cycled passed outside Mulhouse and when she saw our cycling shirts she stopped for a chat and to find out if we were genuine South Africans. It turned out she was born in Pretoria, went to university in Durban and married a Frenchman and is living in Mulhouse.

The whole atmosphere changed as we cycled over the bridge into France. The cyclists are so friendly we had to haul out our rusty French and cycled along Bon Jouring everyone that we passed.

The route was prettier than we expected along the canal. Being a Sunday everyone was out and about, fisherman, cyclists, joggers and walkers enjoying the sunshine. We cycled into Mulhouse through an area with unattractive buildings and surroundings, but once we made our way to the market square, the Place de la Reunion, where we were met with a cheerful exhibition of Alsacian dancing. The Town Hall (1552 ) is a handsome Rennaisance building with beautiful murals and a double external staircase. the sight of lovely old half - timbered buildings set around the square. The beautiful Church of St Ettienne has stained glass windows from the 15 C and choir stalls from the 17 C.

Mulhouse was an independent Alsacian city in the 13 C then became Swiss and then German and back to the French in the early 19 C. It is situated in the South of the Alsace between the Black Forest and Voges mountains. That explains why there is a strong German influence in the cuisine and architecture of this area.

We found the food in the restaurants that were open on a Sunday quite pricey and ended up eating in an Italian restaurant where we had the most delicious lasagne.

Laurin looking nervous - Who is this strange old man?

Setting off with Michael.

Basel Munster and old city from the other side of the Rhine.

Directions to three countries.

The small spire in the centre marks where three countries meet.

Kayak course on the canal in France.

Alsacian folk dancing in Mulhouse. 

Hotel De Ville in Mulhouse.

2 comments:

Thank you for looking at our blog, and we enjoy receiving comments.
Best wishes,
Ian and Jenny.