France: Strasbourg – Cathedrale Notre Dame

Strassburg Cathedral is truly magnificent, and I have seen a lot of cathedrals lately. Spiky gothic spires rise 142m/466ft high, made from dark red stone, and adorned with hundreds and hundreds of sculptures, figurines, gargoyles, and decorations. For 2.25 centuries (1647 to 1874) this was the tallest building in the world. The cathedral can be seen for miles across the Alsace plains and from the Black Forest in Germany. Inside the cathedral is lavish as well, but it’s the outside that just makes you go round and round with your head up. Two other spectacular attractions are just outside the cathedral – amasingly decorated wooden Maison Kammerzel and sprawling Palais Rohan.