Not Liberty Island...

This replica of the Statue of Liberty is right outside of Colmar, where Frédéric Bartholdi was born. It's actually in the middle of a traffic circle, and I did a double take as we were going around it, but was still able to take a photo in time. Just not what I expected when traveling along a French road.

Colmar and Le Croissant Dore

I said I would write more about Colmar, so here goes. Colmar is an adorable Alsatian town worthy of at least an afternoon visit if not more. Our afternoon stroll took us through the old town, each storefront more wonderfully Alsatian than the next.
There was also a church,the famous Bretzels of Colmar (that I didn't try), And a door marked from the 15th century
and just beyond the passageway to the right of the 15th century door, the most wonderful cafe, Le Croissant Doré. Don't you love how they wrote their name above the door? It reminds me of those Highlights stories that substituted images for words.

The front pastry case lured in many a passerby,and this tiny cafe was packed when we arrived. I loved this place. Art nouveau decor through and through, this cozy place was filled with friends catching up, families treating their children to an afternoon soda, readers curled with a good book...and on top of that, friendly service from two adorable old ladies! All the faux French cafes or bistros in America strive to have what this place has -- authenticity, a neighborhood feel -- and so if you want the real thing, this is where you need to go.

Le Croissant Doré
28, Rue des Marchands
68000 Colmar
Tel: 03 89 23 70 81

Happy Easter!

At the mall in Strasbourg, there were easter bunnies passing out chocolate eggs: I wonder if the French children were confused that there weren't any bells handing out the chocolates.

And at the easter market in Colmar,there were real bunnies! The easter market itself was adorable, with festive goods and decorated trees. Who knew? More on Colmar to come...