Our epic road trip! Part one: Luxembourg

After Christmas, my husband and I decided to rent a car and drive across France.  Along the way, many French people we ran into were shocked - "You are driving across France?  And, in the middle of the winter!"  It was a wonderful experience though - 10 days, 5 cities, and 3 countries.

When we left Paris, there was a considerable amount of snow on the ground, but the roads were clear.  As we drove farther, there was more and more snow - even up to half a foot!  

We even passed an area that underwent a recent ice storm - all of the trees were crystallized in ice.  

Of course, we got lost many times... the worst when we hadn't even left Paris yet!  (See my blog post on driving in France.)  After getting lost twice on the way, we arrived in Luxembourg late that night.  We took some time to enjoy the city at night.

Not far from our hotel, a large valley cuts through the center of Luxembourg.  The views from the bridge above it were incredible.  From here, we could even see a frozen lake.

This amazing building, that looks like a castle, is really just a bank.

Down in the valley, a church is built into the rock face.  This church, the Quirinus Chapel, was built on a site of pagan sacrifice until it was "rededicated" in the 14th century. 

The city was decked out in Christmas lights, and here I am in front of the city hall.

The next day, more exploring.  This is outside the Grand Ducal Palace.

Every French-speaking town has its own Notre Dame.  Here is inside the Luxembourg Notre Dame, all decorated for Christmas.

We walked back to the giant valley during the day.  The views were incredible!

 

The abbey to the right, Neumünster Abbey, was built in the 1540s and used to be a hospital and then a prison.   To the left are the old Casemates Bock, built in the 1600s.  They are the beginnings of tens of kilometers of underground tunnels where soldiers would go for shelter.  The view from this balcony is said to be one of the best in all of Europe.

 

This is what remains of the foundation of the city of Luxembourg, the Dent Creuse, or Hollow Tooth.  It is the remnants of the old castle.  It was built in 1000, and now only a section of the tower remains.  

 

Wandering the streets of Luxembourg.

We walked down into the valley, along the snowy road...

Bram scouts the way for potential iciness, given the fact I had just fallen hard of the casements moments earlier.

At the bottom of the valley, more nice views of the valley and the river.

More exploring, then it starts to snow...

So we stop for lunch!  Most of the restaurants have both French and German menus.  Of course, the one we stopped in ONLY had German.  But it also had amazing incredible delicious German food!

I got cheesy spatzel, covered in bacon.  Wonderful.  Best meal in a long time.

After lunch we heading back along the river and up the valley again.  On to our next stop!