Information
City: ColmarCountry: France
Continent: Europe
Colmar, France, Europe
Overview
Colmar sits in northeastern France’s Alsace region, a small town with cobblestone streets and timber-framed houses that seem made for strolling.Colmar, with its cobbled streets and beautifully preserved medieval and early modern buildings, is often hailed as one of France’s most beautiful towns.Cobblestone lanes wind past bright half-timbered houses and canals that glint in the sun, creating a storybook charm that draws travelers looking for history, culture, and striking scenery.Highlights of Colmar1, from its quiet stone alleys to the bright red shutters.In Colmar’s Old Town, or La Vieille Ville, you can wander twisting cobblestone lanes where bright half-timbered houses lean close, some standing since the 1500s.Charming houses with flower boxes and shuttered windows line the streets, lending the town a storybook feel.As you wander through the Old Town, you’ll pass sunlit squares, stone fountains worn smooth by centuries, and towering medieval gates.One of Colmar’s best-known spots is La Petite Venise, a colorful canal district where the water mirrors rows of bright façades and hints at the town’s Venetian roots.Alsatian-style houses hug the edges of the canals here, their timber frames reflected in the rippling water-a perfect spot for a sunset boat ride or an unhurried stroll along the banks.You’ll also find the Koïfhus, the old customs house where medieval merchants once gathered.And for art lovers, the Musée Unterlinden stands out as one of Colmar’s top cultural treasures.Set inside a former Dominican convent with cool stone walls and arched ceilings, this museum showcases an extraordinary range of art and artifacts, from prehistoric relics to modern pieces.Its crown jewel is the Isenheim Altarpiece-a towering Renaissance masterpiece by Matthias Grünewald and a pinnacle of German Gothic painting.You’ll also find finely carved medieval sculptures, vivid Renaissance paintings, and a vibrant collection of 19th‑century Alsatian art.Colmar itself sits in the heart of Alsace, one of France’s most celebrated wine regions.Rolling vineyards and storybook wine villages wrap around the town, where wine festivals fill the calendar year.Travelers can wander the Alsace Wine Route as it winds through Colmar and charming neighbors like Eguisheim and Kaysersberg, each known for cool, stone wine cellars and generous tastings.Colmar comes alive for the Fête de la Saint-Martin, a spirited celebration of wine with rich pairings and clinking glasses.It’s also the birthplace of Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi, the sculptor who gave the world the Statue of Liberty.Housed in a graceful 18th‑century building, the Bartholdi Museum showcases sketches, models, and sculptures that trace his life’s work-from the first pencil lines for the Statue of Liberty to lesser‑known pieces-and offers visitors an intimate glimpse into his art; just a short walk away, in the heart of Colmar, the Gothic spires of Saint‑Martin’s Church rise against the sky.Built in the 13th and 14th centuries, it rises beneath vaulted ceilings that seem to float overhead, crowned by a rose window glowing with colored glass.Step inside and you’ll find an array of religious art and sculptures, their colors softened by the light filtering through tall stained-glass windows.The church stands as a striking example of Alsatian Gothic design and dominates Colmar’s skyline.Not far away, the Maison Pfister-built in 1537-is a Renaissance gem and one of the town’s most beloved landmarks.With its carved wooden balconies and brightly painted frescoes, the house stands as a striking mix of French elegance and German charm.You’ll find it near La Petite Venise, impeccably preserved as one of Colmar’s finest Renaissance treasures.And when winter comes, the town glows with its famous Christmas markets, among the most enchanting in all of France.In the holiday season, the town turns into a winter wonderland-streets lined with twinkling lights, garlands draped over shopfronts, and Christmas markets tucked into every square.You can browse handmade crafts, sample buttery Alsatian pastries, and wrap your hands around a steaming cup of vin chaud.The Colmar Toy Museum (Musée du Jouet) adds to the charm, drawing families and vintage toy lovers alike.Inside a creaky old brick building, the museum displays a rich mix of toys from across the decades-dolls with faded ribbons, gleaming train sets, and well-loved action figures-and it’s a playful, nostalgic treat for visitors of any age.Colmar is famous for its Alsatian cooking, a rich mix of French finesse and hearty German flavors-think buttery tarte flambée served beside a crisp Riesling.In Colmar, you can linger over choucroute garnie piled high with sauerkraut and smoky sausages, share a bubbling tarte flambée with crisp edges, or snack on a warm, chewy bretzel; the town’s bakeries also tempt you with golden kougelhopf, its almonds and raisins peeking through the sugar-dusted crust.Colmar sits amid a cluster of storybook Alsatian villages, from Riquewihr’s cobbled lanes to quiet hamlets where flower boxes spill over with geraniums.Riquewihr is one of the best-known spots, only a few minutes down the road, where cobblestone streets wind past shuttered windows.With its cobbled medieval lanes, bright half-timbered houses, and inviting wine cellars, Riquewihr is often called one of France’s most beautiful villages; nearby Eguisheim, Kaysersberg, and Turckheim offer the same blend of history, charm, and vineyard-framed streets, while Colmar shines as Alsace’s jewel, where medieval whimsy meets Renaissance elegance and lively culture.Stroll through the twisting lanes of La Petite Venise, linger over masterpieces in the Musée Unterlinden, or savor a glass of crisp Riesling with a plate of tarte flambée-Colmar wraps history, art, and nature into one unforgettable experience.With its cobbled streets, lively festivals, and postcard-perfect views, the town draws visitors from all over northeastern France.
Landmarks in Colmar
