Strasbourg, France:

I am now working in Strasbourg, France. Interesting work, staying in an Apart Hotel. Not bad actually. Can travel a lot and see Europe all over again. Have been checking out some Museums also.
Strasbourg is in the Alsace region and is right on the Rhine River and borders France. This place has been under French/Prussian domination during the course of its history. The oldest building here is from the 13^th century, and I suppose still functional. I am not sure about that but, there is an ice cream shop on the ground floor.

Musee Alsacien:

This is a museum of folk art and very small. It basically shows the Alsatian way of life with its regional traditions, designs, etc. The display included farming instruments, household and kitchen goods, costumes, furniture, paintings, wooden masks, and other mementoes belonging to different communities of Strasbourg.

This was located in 3 very old buildings which themselves are I suppose relics and worth a visit. The building is from the 14^th or 15^th century. I am not sure.

It is not a real big museum but more to attract the tourist population who visit Strasbourg. It was well laid out and logically takes the user around. Depicts Farm, household life, entertainment/hobbies, craft, industry and so on. One difficult thing in Strasbourg is the language. Not knowing French is a huge negative here and makes life very difficult.

Musee Archeologique:

This museum is actually in the basement of the Rohan palace and it was the most interesting for me. It actually depicts the course of Alsatian History from Prehistory to 800 AD. It is an archeological museum and depicts Sculptures of the Bronze and Iron Ages with their arms, jewelry, decorated pottery, religious sculptures, frescoes, objects of everyday life in medieval Alsace and collection of glass objects.

Musee Des Arts Decoratifs:

The museum is divided into two parts – one is representing the apartments of cardinal Rohan and the other offers a collection of decorative artifacts dating from 16th century. The apartments show the beautiful ceilings, tapestries, and other décor. Also some busts and huge paintings. Antique furnishings, (actually a huge collection), porcelain, ceramics and so on. There were also clocks from 14^th century onwards and mechanical toys of the early 20^th century.

Musee des Beaux-Arts:

This is also in the Palace Rohan and house a very good collection of European paintings from the Middle Ages to 1870. The periods it covers are: Primitive Italian and Flemish works, Renaissance and Manierism, Baroque, Realism and Classicism in the 17^th -19^th centuries.

I am not at all familiar with art, but some of the names I did recognize are Goya, Boticelli and Rapheal.

Palace Rohan was built between 1732 and '42 as a residence for the Prince Bishop and was auctioned as a National Property in 1791, it was used as a Town Hall during the Revolution. In 1805, it was refurbished and used as an imperial palace by Napoleon. It was again restored and now houses three museums in it. Musee Archeologique in the basement, Musee Des Arts Decoratifs-1^st floor and Musee des Beaux-Arts-2^nd floor.

I did like this museum and will go back there to speak with the Curator and ask him questions. I first need to come up with what I want to ask though!!

But it was a good tour.