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ABOUT STRASBOURG
The capital of Alsace, Strasbourg is one of France's greatest cities and the
birthplace of paté de foie gras. It was in Strasbourg that Rouget de Lisle first
sang "La Marseillaise," the French national anthem. Strasbourg is one of
France's major ports, only 3km (2 miles) west of the Rhine. In addition to being
host to the Council of Europe, Strasbourg is home to the European Parliament,
which convenes at the Palais de l'Europe. In 1871, Strasbourg was absorbed by
Germany and made the capital of the territory of Alsace-Lorraine, but reverted
to France in 1918. One street is a perfect illustration of the city's identity
crisis: more than a century ago it was avenue Napoléon. In 1871, it became
Kaiser-Wilhelmstrasse, then boulevard de la République in 1918. In 1940, it
became Adolf-Hitler-Strasse, and ended up as avenue du Général-de-Gaulle in
1945.
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