Information
Landmark: La Vieille VilleCity: Colmar
Country: France
Continent: Europe
La Vieille Ville, Colmar, France, Europe
Overview
Colmar’s Old Town, La Vieille Ville, is the city’s historic heart, with cobbled lanes and timbered houses that make it one of the most beautiful spots in all of France.Wandering through the cobblestone lanes of this well-preserved district, past bright half-timbered houses and sunlit town squares, you can almost hear the echo of footsteps from centuries ago.Highlights of La Vieille Ville, like its cobbled lanes and sunlit café terraces.In the Old Town, medieval and Renaissance styles stand shoulder to shoulder-half-timbered houses with dark wooden beams, solid stone buildings, and shadowy gothic churches that loom over the narrow streets.Wooden shutters, bright flower boxes, and ornate facades line the buildings, giving the town a storybook charm.Many houses still stand as they did centuries ago, a few with beams darkened by time since the 1500s.Strolling through La Vieille Ville is like wandering a living museum of Alsace’s past, where timber-framed houses lean over cobblestone lanes.Tucked within it lies La Petite Venise, a beloved canal-side neighborhood with pastel façades mirrored in slow, winding water.People love to photograph this spot, especially when the bright, painted houses shimmer in the water’s surface.You can drift past them on a boat or wander the canals on foot, breathing in the scent of flowers along the narrow streets.At the heart of La Vieille Ville, the Place de l'Ancienne Douane stands as a central square and a striking showcase of Renaissance architecture.The square is crowned by the Maison des Têtes, a striking 17th‑century building whose stone façade bristles with carved faces of people and animals.Just steps away stands the Old Customs House, where merchants once queued to declare their goods upon arriving in Colmar.Cafes and restaurants ring the square, so it’s an easy place to linger over a coffee and watch the crowd drift past.In the middle of La Vieille Ville, Saint‑Martin’s Church rises in dark Gothic stone, its history reaching back to the 13th century.The church is famous for its soaring vaulted ceilings, colorful stained glass, and a stunning rose window that catches the morning light like a jewel.Inside, visitors can linger over intricate sculptures, vivid paintings, and the finely carved altar and pulpit-true Gothic masterpieces.The Koïfhus, or Old Customs House, is among Colmar’s oldest buildings, dating back to the 15th century.Merchants and traders passing through the region stopped here to clear customs, their wagons creaking under the weight of goods.The building shows off a striking medieval style, with tall arched windows and a roof laced in intricate detail.Today, the Koïfhus hosts exhibitions on the town’s history and heritage, and its grand stone doorway still catches the eye in La Vieille Ville.Not far away, the Pfister House stands in the Old Town-a beautifully preserved Renaissance home with weathered beams and painted façades.Built in 1537, this house boasts carved wooden balconies, vivid frescoes, and a slender turret that rises like something from a storybook.It’s a beautiful example of Colmar’s Renaissance style, where French grace meets German craftsmanship.One of the city’s most photographed landmarks rises over Place des Dominicains, a lively Old Town square framed by centuries-old façades and sunlit stone.At the heart of it stands the Dominican Church, a towering Gothic structure built in the 13th century, its stone walls worn smooth by centuries of wind and rain.In the square, you can relax on a bench and take in Colmar’s medieval heart, where the church’s stone façade catches the light and half-timbered houses frame the view; stroll along Rue des Marchands, one of the Old Town’s most charming streets, lined with brightly painted buildings and centuries-old fronts.Lined with shops, cafés, and boutiques, the street draws visitors eager to soak up the local culture; here you’ll spot the Maison des Têtes with its weathered stone faces peering down, along with other historic gems, and just a short walk away stands the graceful 19th-century Halle aux Blés near Colmar’s heart.Built later than most of the Old Town’s buildings, it still fits right in, its weathered stone catching the same golden light as the centuries‑old walls around it.The hall once bustled as a grain market; now it’s filled with stalls selling fresh bread, handmade pottery, and other local treasures.Its ironwork trim and soaring glass roof stand as a striking example of late 19th-century industrial design.Each winter, Colmar’s Old Town glows under strings of golden lights, its narrow cobblestone streets lined with stalls selling handmade ornaments, spiced gingerbread, and steaming cups of vin chaud.The Christmas markets in La Vieille Ville are the heart of the season, pulling in visitors from around the globe to soak up the festive air.With its centuries-old buildings and storybook charm, La Vieille Ville is as beautiful as it is historic.Wandering its cobbled lanes past painted Renaissance facades and lively squares, you get a vivid sense of Colmar as it might have felt centuries ago.With its winding canals, centuries-old churches, and intricate stone facades, the town’s architecture draws you in and easily ranks it among the most beautiful Old Towns in France.Stroll through La Petite Venise, linger by centuries-old timbered houses, or breathe in the scent of mulled wine at the Christmas Markets-La Vieille Ville wraps it all into an experience you won’t forget.
