Colmar
Everyone knows Paris & London, yet there are many small quaint villages in Europe offers a unique & an unspoilt glimpse of ancient Europe, untouched by modern development tracing back to the Medieval Period. One of them is definitely Colmar.
Colmar is a town in the Grand Est region of northeastern France, bordering with Germany. The Alsace Region old town has cobblestone streets lined with half-timbered medieval and early Renaissance buildings.
Colmar
The city’s Alsatian Renaissance houses, ancient churches and fountains have made it a centre of tourism. Anime fans would immediately notice that Colmar’s Alsatian Rennaisance houses are frequently featured in many animes.
How to Get to Colmar
Colmar can be easily reached with TGV train from Paris (3 hours) & only 30 mins from Strasbourg. You can also reach Colmar from Stuttgart, Basel and Zurich with the train as well.
Getting Around Colmar
All of Colmar’s attractions are concentrated in its old town. Therefore the best way to get around Colmar is on foot.
Due to the wealth and variety of its historical and architectural heritage, Colmar offers visitors an exciting glimpse of 1000 years of European history.
Old town
Founded in the 9th century, Colmar is the capital of central Alsace. The town is situated along the Alsatian Wine Route and considers itself to be the “capital of Alsatian wine”.
Saint Martin Church
Built between 1235 and 1365 the Saint Martin’s Church is an important example of Gothic architecture in Alsace.
Pfister House
The Pfister House is a symbol of Old Colmar was built in 1537, for the hatter Ludwig Scherer, who made his fortune with money trading in the Val de Liepvre.
Colmar Market
Designed in 1865, Colmar Market was made of brick and stone with some 20 merchants provide high-quality products: fruits and vegetables, butcher, dairy, bakery, fish, flowers and local products.
Fishmonger’s District
The fishmonger’s district is the place where most of the professional fishermen and boatmen of Colmar lived. The caught fishes were stored in fish ponds or sold.
Little Venice, Colmar
The course of the Lauch in Colmar was named Little Venice for its similarity with Venice. It was also probably due to the original line of the houses on both sides of the river.
For 6 Euro per pax, you can join one of the boat cruises around the Little Venice, while the guide explains the history of Colmar.
Alsatian Cuisine
Also not to be missed is to try Alsace food. Do you know the famous Foie Gras was invented in the Alsace region (Strasbourg)?
Alsace Sauerkraut with 6 types of Pork Meat
Another dish to try is Tarte flambée which is the Alsatian equivalent of the Pizza.
Tarte flambee is made of a thin layer of bread dough, covered with crème fraîche, cheese, onions, and bacon & baked very quickly in an extremely hot oven so that it gets crispy.
Tarte flambée
Streets in Colmar
Is it Worth Visiting Colmar?
Definitely YES! We do recommend to spend 2 nights in Colmar for a more comfortable experience. You will never regret visiting Colmar.
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Nice page, thanks for the nice people and nice photo sharing, for those who still no chance to be there, because of you tommy ooi, our eyes open to the world. 😀
Thank you for sharing Tommy. It will be very helpful since my family and I will be making a rip there in May 2015. Any recommendation on accommodation?
Hi Jocelyn, we stayed in Mercure Colmar Centre Champ de Mars Hotel, less than 5 mins walk to old center
Nice, this is my lovely city ! I miss it, hope all of you could come there, you won’t be disappointed 😉 Good trip !
Wonderful……..may change my Scandinavia plan 😀
Hi Tommy,
I am planning to go there soon. How did you get there from Paris? Is it direct or you have to take to Strasbourg and transfer to Colmar?
Hi Qiang, yes you will need one station transfer at Strasbourg to colmar
Do you think a day trip to Colmar from Paris is doable? Or would it be too much for day?
I really want to visit a cute small town like Colmar near Paris.
Hi Lucy, we do suggest to stay in Colmar so you can visit Strasbourg as well
What lovely pictures. I am heading to Colmar in a couple of weeks. Would really help to hear from you on a few things if possible:
Travel
1. I am taking a train from Basel to Colmar. What is the transport available from the station to the centre of the city
Stay
2. What is the best area to stay in?
3. Any hotels or interesting places of stay you’d recommend? Something pretty super comfy (luxurious is also good) & totally safe.
Visits
I will be staying there for 4 nights atleast. Would you recommend I visit any other places nearby. I won’t have a car. So perhaps something I can visit by bus?
Thanks so much
Hi Sandy, good choice! Colmar is simply breathtaking! Colmar is quite small so if you stay at the heritage town u can just walk like we did. You can walk from train station to town in 15 mins. We stayed in Mercure
Hi Tommy,
Can I know which month you traveled to Colmar?