Route So Far
We moved north on Thursday and stayed at Camping Etang des Forges (N 47.654693 E 6.864738) in Belfort, a small site by a lake.
The Lake at Belfort.
On Friday we moved into Germany and drove a short distance up the Rhein to Breisach. We stopped at a Stellplatz on the riverfront. A Stellplatz seems to be the German equivalent of an aire; there are drainage and water facilities on essentially a large car park. (GPS N 48.029657 E 7.575792). The overnight stay cost €6.
Stellplatz at Breisach
The Stellplatz filled up a lot during the day because May 1st is a bank holiday here.
Hagenbach Tower
Breisach is strategically placed on a hill overlooking the Rhein and has suffered from this by being alternately fortified then flattened several times over the last two millennia, A few of the old buildings remain, the Hagenbach Tower originally dates from 1319 and was named after Peter Hagenbach, a Governor of Breisach imprisoned here in 1474 for corruption, murder and other unpleasantnesses.
St Stephan’s Cathedral
Breisach is dominated by this cathedral, built on the site of a Roman fortress from the 3rd century. The Emperor Valentinian 1 stopped here on a tour of the Roman frontiers on the 30th August 369 (hope he had better weather than us….its been a bit wet…).
Weisswein
We stopped at a restaurant overlooking the river for a glass of white wine, or weisswein, as I now know it to be. The waitress was very helpful and threw in a bit of german tuition for free. The portions here are generous, a glass is 250 mls which is about half a pint.
Wine Press
The Museum
An old wine press stands outside the museum at the foot of the hill, which is just a short walk from the Stellplatz.
Breisach from Ile du Rhin
On Saturday we moved to Camping Ile du Rhin; a pleasant and quiet site on an Island between Breisach and the Alsace Canal, (GPS N 48.02274 E 7.577927). The site is very close to the ‘Grune-Straße’ or cycle way between Freiburg in Germany and Colmar in France. We headed in the French direction, as far as Neuf Brisach.
Power Station Mural
There is an EDF hydroelectric power station by the bridge, fittingly decorated by murals depicting mermaids swimming between insulators. Maybe the artist went swimming after a glass too many of weisswein.
Neuf Brisach
This is an unusual walled town, in hexagonal configuration.
Walls of Neuf Brisach
The Neuf I think stands for new; maybe some of Breisachs inhabitants got tired of having stuff lobbed at them and decided to move somewhere a little less strategic.
We reprovisioned in the Neuf Brisach Carrefour, and cycled back through Volgelsheim to the Ile du Rhin.
Sculpture in Volgelsheim
Sculpture in Munsterplatz, by St Stephan’s Cathedral
These are a couple of sculptures we have come across here….there does seem to be a theme…any caption suggestions would be welcomed…
Rambling about Europe with the Kray Twins (Colin and Penny).
Travels with Mavis 
Yore still finding great sites!!
Can I ask what camera you use as the photos are really good
Enjoy your trip
Colin, Gill & Milly (naughty Golden Retreiver)
Thanks!
Its a Canon EOS 7D, about 4 years old. Don’t know how much you know about cameras but it is a digital SLR, which means, amongst other things, that you can change the lens. I use a Tamron 18-270 zoom, as an all purpose lens.
I hope you’re planning to blog the Iceland trip? It sounds exciting. I went many many years ago, when Surtsey was erupting.
Peter
PS from Nia, I have to tell you that Belfort, OK tho it was, was not particularly dog friendly…no good off-the-lead walks nearby.
Wow Peter, an ancient 7D! Isn’t it about time you bought a new camera?
Isn’t there an saying that goes “a woman needs to fish like a man needs an electric bicycle”?
Nia says a woman needs fish and chips.
Hi Mavis. Your looking good in Germany. It’s always good to go home catching up friends and family . If you find a young man while you’re at home on the loose and you find yourself producing a Mini -Motorhome let us know . We would promise to look after it ( Sorry. Him/Her) We would take them back home regulary because we love your roads,they remind us of home. FREE. Just one more thing Mave take your Peter&Nia to Lake Constance or The Romantic Road ,it might not work for them but it could help you help us. Stay safe.
Mavis is a very proper motorhome and will not be cavorting.