Towns with a past.....

On our way to Colmar, we passed through Neuf Brisach. An enormous ditch surrounded thick octagonal walls, they really didn't want visitors in the days of old Alsace. In 1951 however, French N Brisach & German Breisach were the first European towns to sign a Common Market Agreement, leading to todays EU. What were they thinking of!!!?

Entering woods on the Cycle Route, we were going in the opposite direction to a large enthusiastic group of teenagers taking part in a cross-country running & cycle relay race. Unscathed, we reached Colmar. Many medieval timber-framed houses & public buildings remain. There is also an area referred to twee-ly as 'Little Venice', where a few canals surround the old Fish Market. The steep tiled roofs & gable fronts to the houses lining the canals, we thought, were more reminiscent of Amsterdam then Venice.

There was enough time left in the afternoon to follow a town trail around Breisach. In contrast here, most of the old buildings were destroyed in 1945 by American troops shelling across the Rhein.