France
Colmar
CityCulture
Colmar, located in Alsace, captivates with its picturesque old town and the unique blend of French and German culture.
by Felix Gillen
Colmar, located in Alsace, captivates with its picturesque old town and the unique blend of French and German culture. Here you'll find well-preserved half-timbered houses, winding alleys and canals, which have earned Colmar the nickname "Little Venice" (La Petite Venise). A central highlight is the Musée Unterlinden, home to the famous Isenheim Altarpiece and making art history accessible. Stroll through the Fischermarkt quarter and along the Lauch River to experience the idyllic scenery, or visit the historic Koïfhus. The city is also an excellent starting point for the Alsatian Wine Route. You can best explore Colmar on foot or by boat; the spring and autumn months are ideal for a visit to avoid crowds.
Sights in Colmar
Discover the most important sights and attractions
La Petite Venise
The district of La Petite Venise gets its name from the Lauch river, which flows between the houses here. Formerly, market gardeners, fishermen, and traders, transporting their goods in flat-bottomed boats, predominantly lived and worked by the water. Today, colorful half-timbered houses line the banks, complemented by small bridges and abundant floral decorations. On a boat trip on the Lauch, you can see the houses from the water.Our tip: It's quieter early in the morning or late in the afternoon. The Quai de la Poissonnerie is a good starting point.
Unterlinden Museum
The Musée Unterlinden is housed in a former 13th-century Dominican convent and is among France's most visited art museums outside Paris. Its centerpiece is the Isenheim Altarpiece, created between approximately 1512 and 1516 by Matthias Grünewald (painting) and Niklaus von Hagenau (carvings) for the Antonite Monastery in Isenheim, a masterpiece of Late Gothic art. The museum also features archaeological finds, medieval sculpture, and, in an extension opened in 2015, 19th and 20th-century art. The convent's cloisters and chapel provide a unique setting.Our tip: Arrive right at opening time to view the altarpiece in peace. Plan for two to three hours.
In Colmar's Old Town, you can create your own pralines or chocolate bars during a **chocolate workshop**, including at the Choco-Story Chocolate Museum, which combines workshops with a museum visit. You'll learn about cocoa, the processing steps, and the craft of chocolatiers.Practical Tip: Book in advance, as spots fill up quickly on weekends and during high season.
City walks in Colmar
Curated walking tours through the city's highlights, handpicked by experienced travel journalists.
Colmar's Cultural Treasures and Imperial-Era Architecture
This walk leads you away from the picturesque half-timbered lanes to Colmar's main cultural attractions and reveals facets of the town's history, from medieval art to the architecture of the imperial era. Discover masterpieces, impressive monuments and testimonies of an eventful past that allow a deeper understanding of the town of Colmar.
Stops (7)
Dining & Drinks
Gehobene, kreative französische Gerichte mit passendem Wein in einem schicken, angesagten Restaurant.
Food and Drink
Colmar lies in the heart of the wine region. The Winstubs in the Old Town cook Alsatian, and almost every restaurant offers wines from the surrounding villages by the glass.
Baeckeoffe
A braised dish of beef, pork, and lamb with potatoes, marinated overnight in Riesling and baked in an earthenware pot. Traditionally, families would bring it to the baker's oven.
Alsace Wines Direct
Around Colmar lie dozens of estates, many with tasting rooms. The area's Grands Crus are among the region's finest sites.
Flammkuchen and Winstub Food
Besides Flammkuchen, head cheese, pork knuckle, and Spätzle are on the menus. The portions are generous.
Covered Market
The 1865 market hall by the canal is open daily except Mondays. It's the most practical address for cheese, sausage, and pastries.
Crémant d'Alsace
The sparkling wine from the region is made by the traditional method and is significantly cheaper than Champagne.
Colmar's Cultural Heritage
Colmar exemplifies the French and German influences in its architecture, art, and traditions that define Alsace.The city was first documented in the 9th century. As an Imperial City and member of the Decapole, it developed into an important trade hub in the Middle Ages. In the 17th century, Colmar became part of France, changing hands several times between France and Germany thereafter.The cityscape is characterized by a well-preserved Old Town with half-timbered and stone houses from the 14th to 18th centuries, including the Koifhus, the old customs and trade house, and the Maison des Têtes. A major artistic highlight is the Isenheim Altarpiece by Matthias Grünewald in the Musée Unterlinden. Colmar is also the birthplace of the sculptor Auguste Bartholdi, creator of the Statue of Liberty; his birthplace is now a museum.Local traditions are evident in the cuisine, at the wine festivals, and in the Christmas markets.
Exploring locally
Explore the Old Town on foot; most sights are close by. For longer trips, use the city bus network Trace. From the station, regular trains run to Strasbourg and Mulhouse, plus buses to the surrounding wine villages.
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