This route is a veritable museum of 14th and 15th century European
culture, with its gems, the ducal palace of Nevers, the chateau
of Rochepot. Commanders of war and great patrons, the dukes commissioned
the greatest talents: Claus Sluter came from Harleem to sculpt
the carthusian nun of Champmol, Italian architects, Flemish sculptors,
Burgundian stone masons built the palaces with their roofs of
dazzling colours. Dijon, town with a wealth of art, has rctained
much of the influence of the era when it was the capital of Flanders
and Burgundy The Museum of Fine Arts is one of the finest in France
- the dukes tombs, the famous nativity of the Master of Flemalle
and the Granville donation including the works of Nicolas de Stael.
A stroll through its streets to admire the old houses and wealth
of private dwellings with glazed roofs, is a must.
Their name evokes the town; they were called Rachi de Troyes -
the Talmudic interpretations of which are still referred to world-wide
- and Chretien de Troyes, an immensely gifted poet to whom the
French language owes so much. People from the north and the east
would flock here to the medieval fairs. Troyes is a poem of stone
and of wood. Its numerous churches display master- pieces such
as an outstandingly rood screen sculpted out of stone... The timber
framing of its buildings - a style of architecture unique in France.
Its museum of Modem Art is one of the finest in Europe. Capital
of hosiery its story is told in a museum housed in a superb private
dwelling. Especially worthy of a visit is its Musee de l'0util
et de la Pensee ouvriere (museum of tools and workers thought):
a Veritable voyage of companionship through the centuries.
Strasbourg, the European headquarters of the Council of
Europe. The Rhine has a port here...The genious of masterpieces
from France and the Rhineland was brought here... The cathedral
and its astronomical clock, overlooking the Maison Kammerzell
(15th century), the pharmacy of Cerf, the oldest in France. Petite
France with its half-timbered houses lining the canals is the
former district of the tanners. The Rohan Palace, museum, church
and sirnagogue dating from 1230.
Colmar, artistic and cultural center, winding road multicoloured houses. The Musee Unterlinden with Issenheim's remarkable altar piece painted by Grunewald.
Mulhouse, former industrial city with its town hall described by Montaigne as "a magnificent golden palace". Also to be seen - the Temple of Saint-Etienne, neo-gothic. Do not leave the town before you have admired its museum of the automobile and discovered its museum of the railway.
Besancon, the first green town in France, is the capital of clock and watch making and the birthplace of Victor Hugo. Its citadel overhangs the old town.. it can be viewed from the bateaumouche at the Vauban quays.
