When you’re in the Alsace region, you’ll discover for yourself all the things that make Colmar special. Until then, here are a few things to start with.
Colmar’s well-preserved Old Town and its architecture, its wines and even the local cuisine lead many people to believe it is a German town rather than French. That’s understandable; there have been times in its history where it was indeed true.
A little history
Founded in the 9th century, Colmar soon became an important marketplace as well as a centre for art and learning. It was granted the status of a free imperial city by Emperor Frederick II in 1226 and joined the Décapole (ten imperial Alsace towns of the Holy Roman Empire) in 1354.
In the late 17th century, after several years of Swedish rule, Colmar became part of the Kingdom of France.
In 1871, the Germans took over, but French rule returned after World War I. The Germans occupied the town during World War II, but control returned to France when the Third Reich fell.
Architecture in focus
One of the things that make Colmar special is its architecture – secular and religious landmarks that reflect centuries of Germanic and French styles. The buildings in the Old Town are among the most photographed in the area.
Although there has been some damage over the years, many monuments dating from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance have been finely restored and are now on the heritage list.
The Maison des Têtes (the House of Heads) was built in the first decade of the 17th century in typical Renaissance style. It is now classified as a historical monument. The house has 106 small human heads carved on its facade and has become one of the symbols of Colmar. The gable of the house is decorated with a small pewter cooper (barrel-maker) – the work of sculptor, Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi, who was born in Colmar. Not surprisingly, you can find the house on rue des Têtes.
The Koïfhus is a beautiful Gothic-style building that was once a customs house. Now it is used for exhibitions and cultural events.
Eglise Saint-Martin is a beautiful Gothic-style church built in the 14th century and Eglise des Dominicains is a 13th-century Gothic architectural wonder. Both have been fully restored.
The Renaissance-style Pfister House (Maison Pfister) was built in 1537. It features magnificent paintings – of biblical scenes and portraits of German emperors.
The Eglise Saint-Martin is a very large and beautiful church and often referred to as the cathedral, even though it isn’t. The square it stands in is named Place de la Cathédrale.
You’ll have a ‘must-photograph’ moment when passing one of Colmar’s traffic roundabouts. There’s a 12-metre (39 feet) high copper-green resin replica of the Statue of Liberty. It’s another work of the sculptor Bartholdi.
More things that make Colmar special
Colmar is a visual feast. Visitors love the Old Town, the beautiful parks, gardens and fountains. Many will tell you it is the most picturesque town in Alsace – and it probably is.
It’s hard to pick a favourite among so many beautiful spots. One of the many things that make Colmar special is that there are stunning things to see wherever you go. The area around the canals – Klein Venedig, which means ‘Little Venice’ – would be close to the top of our list.
Quai de la Poissonnerie is a beautiful street, lined with half-timbered houses and restaurants. Quartier des Tanneurs and the Place de la Cathédrale are also highlights.
You can easily walk the city, or cycle, take the street trains or jump on an open-top bus. The bus will also take you outside Colmar, to nearby Ribeauvillé, Hunawihr, Riquewihr, the Kaysersberg vineyards, Turckheim and Eguisheim. For a whole day of hop-on-hop-off sightseeing, it’s well worth the fare.
Museums
Although not as museum-rich as larger French cities, such as Paris or Lyon, Colmar still offers several cultural venues.
Musée Bartholdi honours the life and work of the French sculptor, Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi. The museum is in his former home and features a collection of his sculptures, drawings and personal belongings.
Musée Unterlinden is located in a former 13th-century convent and a 1906 former public baths building. It is home to the Isenheim Altarpiece by the German Renaissance painter, Matthias Grünewald, and features a large collection of local and international artworks and manufactured artifacts from prehistoric to contemporary times. It is one of the most visited museums in France, outside of Paris.
Musee d’Histoire Naturelle et d’Ethnographie (Natural History and Ethnology Museum) presents several fascinating collection: regional and exotic animals; the geology of the planet with precious minerals and extraordinary fossils of prehistoric animals found in the region; rare ethnographic objects from the Marquesas Islands, China, Latin America and Africa; and an important collection of ancient Egypt artifacts.
Musée du Jouet (the Toy Museum) is in a former cinema and presents a collection of toys from the 19th century to the present. On a theme-oriented visit, you might discover some of the toys that marked your childhood. The major attraction is a train network that runs over the entire second floor.
Special events
Colmar Celebrates Spring is an event that takes place around Easter. It features a variety of activities, including concerts, exhibitions, and street performances.
The Alsatian Folklore Evening takes place every Tuesday evening from May to September and features traditional Alsatian music and dance performances.
The Colmar International Festival is held every year in July and features a range of classical music performances by artists of high repute.
Held in August, the Alsace Wine Fair is the major event of the summer. Visitors can sample a wide range of wines from the region and enjoy live music and other entertainment.
Colmar is known for its brilliant Christmas Markets, which are held annually from late November to late December. The markets are held in six different locations in the city and offer a wide range of products, including crafts, food and drinks. If you are in the region late in the year, don’t miss this!
Whether you attend one of these events or not, you’ll find plenty to do in and around the town, and half the fun of it is discovering some of Colmar’s hidden gems.
Cuisine
Colmar cuisine has a blend of French and German influences, often seen in Alsace.
Some of the most popular dishes are:
- Choucroute garnie (sauerkraut with sausages, other salted meats, and potatoes)
- Tarte flambée (a thin-crust pizza topped with crème fraîche, onions, and bacon, also known as flammekueche)
- Baeckeoffe (a casserole made with meat, potatoes, and vegetables marinated in wine)
- Kugelhopf ( a distinctive fluted ring-shaped fruit bread).
The town also has a few Michelin-starred restaurants, such as L’Auberge de l’Ill and La Table du Gourmet.
Colmar is an absolutely charming town. You won’t forget your visit. And the pictures you bring home will be among the things that make Colmar special for you.
Further afield
The nearby villages of Riquewihr, Kayserberg, and Eguisheim are beautiful places you shouldn’t miss.
See more Francy That! suggestions for Places To Go.
Information
LOCATION: Alsace region (Grand-Est) , on the Lauch River.
DISTANCE FROM PARIS: 380 km (236 miles) east of Paris.
POPULATION: 68,000+
NEAREST AIRPORT: EuroAirport Basel Mulhouse Freiburg, located 70 km (43 miles) south of Colmar .
NEAREST TRAIN STATION: Colmar Train Station.
TOURIST INFORMATION: Colmar Tourist Office on Place Unterlinden.
MARKETS: Marché Couvert, indoor daily market; outdoor markets such as Marché des Saveurs on Saturdays.
MUST SEE: Little Venice district; the stunning architecture.
