Strasbourg The Cathedral of Notre-Dame of Strasbourg

The cathedral of Strasbourg, of pink sandstone, was rebuilt in Gothic style from the late twelfth century and finished in 1439, when its single spire reached 466 feet. For more than two centuries it was the tallest building in the world. Inside, the Pillar of Angels, carved around 1230, shows the Last Judgment around a single column.

The astronomical clock in the south transept, rebuilt in the 1840s, sets its figures in motion each day at half past noon. In Advent the city holds its Christkindelsmärik, the oldest Christmas market in France, first held beside the cathedral in 1570 and now on the Place Broglie and around the cathedral.

Further reading: Reading a Gothic Cathedral: A Guide for Pilgrims.

• The astronomical clockThe procession of the apostles each day at 12:30.
• The Pillar of AngelsThe Last Judgment carved around one pillar, about 1230.
• The Christmas marketAround the cathedral and in the old town, from late November to Christmas Eve.

• December 1, in the proper calendars of North Africa and of the archdiocese of ParisFeast of Saint Charles de Foucauld

• Saint Charles de FoucauldPriest and hermit of the Sahara

• Via NativitatisThe Christmas Way, six daysDay I, Paris to Strasbourg · Day II, Strasbourg · Day IV, Colmar, then Strasbourg

About an hour and fifty minutes by high-speed train from the Gare de l’Est in Paris.

• MarienthalThe Basilica of Notre-Dame of Marienthal, about 14 miles as the crow flies
• Mont Sainte-OdileThe Convent of Saint Odile, about 19 miles as the crow flies
• SélestatThe Town of the First Christmas Trees, about 26 miles as the crow flies
• ColmarThe Isenheim Altarpiece, about 39 miles as the crow flies