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The Quaint Charm of Colmar, Alsace

After exploring Paris, I was looking for another place to visit while in France. Colmar caught my eye when I was looking for small towns to check out.


Colmar The Wandering Juan


Read about my experience while experiencing the quaint charm of Colmar.



The Quaint Charm of Colmar


Colmar The Wandering Juan


Colmar is a picturesque town located in the Alsace region of northeastern France, known for its well-preserved medieval architecture, scenic canals, and vibrant cultural history. It is one of the largest cities in Alsace. It is located in the Haut-Rhin department and is often referred to as the "Capital of Alsatian Wine" due to its central role in the region's winemaking traditions.



Colmar The Wandering Juan


The history of Colmar dates back over 1,000 years. The town was first mentioned in historical records in the 9th century. Over time, the town grew and became an important center of trade due to its location at the crossroads of several major European routes.



Colmar The Wandering Juan



Colmar The Wandering Juan


In 1226, Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II raised Colmar to the status of a free imperial city and ordered the construction of defensive walls around it. In 1278, Rudolf of Habsburg granted the town important civil rights, reinforcing its independence and political standing. During the Thirty Years’ War, Swedish forces occupied Colmar in 1632. Three years later, in 1635, King Louis XIII of France placed the town under French protection, and France gradually absorbed Colmar into the kingdom between 1648 and 1678. Colmar later came under German rule twice: first from 1871 to 1919 and again during World War II.


Colmar The Wandering Juan



Colmar The Wandering Juan


Today, Colmar attracts visitors with its picturesque canals, numerous fountains, historic churches, and well-preserved Alsatian Renaissance houses, making it a prominent center of tourism.



Colmar The Wandering Juan


Exploring Colmar felt like I walked into a fairy tale. The colorful houses reminded me so much of Disney movies. Colmar’s historic center is a labyrinth of cobblestone streets lined with colorful half-timbered houses, elegant merchants’ homes, and ornate façades that are centuries old. This area is largely pedestrianized and perfect for leisurely strolling, shopping, and savoring local cuisine.



Colmar The Wandering Juan


I took my time walking around and taking as many photos as possible. It wasn't crowded when I went, which was good. I probably just got lucky because Colmar is a popular destination. One of the most photographed and beloved parts of Colmar, Little Venice is a scenic district along the Lauch River with flower-lined canals and charming bridges. You can simply wander around or take a relaxing boat ride on traditional flat-bottomed boats for a unique view of the town.



Colmar The Wandering Juan


Colmar is a lovely place to visit, I could only imagine what it would look like during Christmas with all of the decorations, markets, and colors. 


Colmar The Wandering Juan



Colmar The Wandering Juan



Colmar The Wandering Juan



Colmar The Wandering Juan



Colmar The Wandering Juan


You can spend a day or so just hanging out in a cafe or restaurant during your visit. Some attractions you can check out while here include:

  • Musée Bartholdi
  • Musée Unterlinden
  • Collégiale Saint-Martin de Colmar
  • Maison Pfister
  • Église des Dominicains
  • La Petite Venise
  • Old Town

How to Get to Colmar


If you're coming from Paris like me, you can easily get to Colmar by train. You can find direct trains or with a transfer from Strasbourg. You can look for schedules here: https://www.sncf-connect.com/en-en.


You can read about my trip to Paris here: budget and itinerary for Paris


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