15 Fabulous Things to Do In Colmar, France
As you scroll through photos of Colmar, does it remind you of a fairy tale? Perhaps a certain Disney one involving a beauty and a beast, perhaps? The fairy tale comparison abounds when people are discussing Colmar, and nothing could be more apropos.
This is a beautiful Medieval town that borders on Germany and Switzerland, creating a wonderful amalgamation of all three decadent cultures. Come to the Alsace region of France when you want to step through a portal in time, sip on some wine, and savor some of the splendors of a gilded city that only France could have sprung to life.
Old Colmar
Old Colmar is the perfect starting point. With cobblestoned streets and half-timbered Medieval and Renaissance buildings, you’ll feel like you stepped through the mists of time as soon as your toes touch the ground.
The town center is reserved for pedestrians only, adding to its allure, and many parts of it are lined by enchanting canals. You could get lost here for hours, amidst the coffeeshops, wine bars, bakeries, and eateries. It’s also a lovely place to shop. Yes, there are many tourist shops in its midst, but there are also plenty of opportunities for authenticity, as well.
La Petite Venise
Within Old Colmar, you have Little Venice. Even though Colmar borders on Germany and Switzerland, it has this lovely little part of Old Town that tips its cap to the canals of Venice.
With your trinkets in hand – and maybe after a stop at one of the bakeries – be sure to stroll along the quai de la Poissonnerie as you listen to the water splashing, the people chattering, and wonder how many secrets haunt those half-timbered houses.
Église Saint-Martin
From the city center, you can’t miss the soaring arches of St. Martin’s Church. This Gothic masterpiece was built between 1234 and 1365 and the interior will astonish you as much as the exterior.
When the light streams down upon you through its 13th-century stained glass windows, you can’t help but feel touched by an angel. One of the (many) elements to keep an eye out for, once inside, are the seven surviving wood panels from Caspar Isenmann that depict the life of Jesus.
Musée Unterlinden
One of the greatest works of art to come out of St. Martin’s Church is the Isenheim Altarpiece. It’s now proudly on display in this must-see museum. Sculpted and painted by two German men, Nikolaus of Haguenau and Matthias Grünewald, this work of art dates all the way back to 1512.
We travel all over the world and seek out lovely sanctuaries like The Louvre but, sometimes, the finest works of art adorn these ancient churches which dapple the cities and countryside of France.