"Summer Petunias, La Petite France", 8x10 by Maryanne JAcobsen

"Summer Petunias-La Petite France", 10x8 by Maryanne Jacobsen

Strasbourg, France, is located in the Alsace region of France. It is a city like no other- melding chic cosmopolitan shops and restaurants with a eerily beautiful Gothic cathedral, and sitting on the French bank of the Rhine river at the border between France and Germany. The ancient cathedral of Notre Dame was built on the site of a Roman temple and is considered one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture. It houses massive carved doors, breathtakingly beautiful stained glass windows, an 'horlage' that marks the time with a miniature cast of twelve apostles, St. Peter and a rooster, and a spire that soars almost 500 feet into the air with a depiction of the Last Judgment.

Strasbourg is also a vibrant symbol of European Unity, and marks the headquarters for the European Parliament, the Council of Europe and the European Court for Human Rights. Strasbourg changed hands many times in its history, which translates into a wonderful cultural menage of both French and German architecture, cuisine and language.

On the main island, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Ill River splinters its way into a web of canals, reminiscent of Venice, Italy, as it winds its way through La Petite France, a picturesque riverfront neighborhood which looks like the setting for a Brothers Grimm fairy tale. Tall, ancient timbered buildings with crumbling walls and riotous flowers cascading from windows and patios and decks lean precariously towards the rivers, and numerous footbridges covered with petunias make leisurely strolls a very special event. La Petite France has earned a four-flower ranking in all of France, and the scent of fresh-baked pastries and delectable meat pies waft through the air, luring visitors to sit for hours at an outdoor table, enjoying the beer of the day or a glass of Alsatien wine.

It was along one of those picturesque footbridges that I snapped this photo of the Il River and La Petite France, with its 13th century houses. I absolutely love painting this scene, because it takes me back to our trip there in 2002. Perhaps one of these days, I'll go back. I hope you enjoy this painting.

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