Situated on the German border in north-eastern France is the picturesque French town of Colmar. It is the center of the country’s Alsace region, famous for its vineyard and exceptional wines. Colmar ranks high among France’s most beautiful towns as well. So, take a leisure walk along the winding cobblestone streets, appreciate the flashy half-timbered houses or cruise the canals. Even better, the town has one of the best day trips from Paris.

I Have Compiled Some Great Things to do in Colmar That Will Make the Town Worth Visiting

Walk around the Colmar Old Town

Upon arriving at the fairytale town of Colmar, one of the exciting things to do is to have a crack at its old town. Whether you prefer to stroll or choose to cruise on the amazing canals, the experience is simply worth it. The Old Town, especially, appears to be something of a Disney creation. With gorgeous tree-lined streets and romantic little bridges, almost every spot is perfect.

The Old Town is an architectural El Dorado, and these towering masterpieces welcome visitors at every turn. See the Gothic sanctuaries, flamboyant half-timbered houses, or Baroque mansions. While admiring these fine pieces, slow down with a pain au chocolat or croissant in one of the fine cafes around.

Musée Unterlinden

One could dedicate a day to seeing this museum and still not be through with it. It is situated in an old building that used to serve as a Dominican convent which is a wonderful piece of art itself. Fancy checking out Alsatian history and culture? The Unterlinden Museum is the spot to be.  

As one of the major attractions in Colmar, the art repository also has an expansive catalog of Gothic and Romanesque sculptures, medieval works, and modern art. The Isenheim Chapel displays the works of early German artists. Also, stop by Matthias Grunewald’s Isenheim Altar, which is said to be among the most significant works of German art. Admission to the museum is about 13 euros and 15 euros if an audio guide is included. It is located at 1 Rue des Unterlinden, 68000 Colmar, France.

See the Eglise des Dominicans 

Also known as the Dominican Church, the Eglise des Dominicains is one of the structures to see in town. The church is many centuries old and is a perfect example of early Gothic architecture. Its interior features charming stained glass windows and a masterpiece by Martin Schonaguer- the painting “Virgin of the Rose Garden”. Do not forget to see the alluring 1300s cloister, which now serves as the Municipal Library of antique manuscripts. The admission fee is 2 euros for adults.

Explore Little Venice

With its scenic web of canals, it is not difficult to know why the town has a place called Little Venice. Situated close to Quai de Poissoniers, this neighborhood is one of the city’s best attractions and dates back to the 1300s. 

With the French Revolution and every conflict and war the country has faced, Little Venice somehow is whole. Walk along the trails alongside canals, or proceed on a canal cruise for some romantic fireworks. The city view from the water is so ravishing that you will love to capture it in photos. 

Be Blown Away by the Covered Market

One of Colmar’s special attractions is the covered market. This market is hosted in an orange and red building adjoining the Little Venice, so it is hard to miss. Find your way inside and discover twenty merchants dealing in great olive oil, freshly harvested produce, and the best ripe cheese. You are bound to also find many cafes in the market, and you can even sample the day’s dishes. This covered market is an excellent place to get familiar with what the town has on offer in its culinary repertoire. Visit there for a fantastic treat or stock up on cuisines you can take home.

>>Also Read: 10 Of The Best Christmas Markets in France

Check out Musée Bartholdi

Best known for his effort as the creator of the elegant Statue of Liberty, Frederic-Auguste Bartholdi is Colmar’s most popular native. This museum is situated in the building where he was born, and it is one of the most eye-catching spots to visit in the town. The three-story museum gathers several of his works, highlighted in sketches and models like the Statue of Liberty and the Lion of Belfort. 

For the entirety of his career, Bartholdi made several fountains and sculptures, like the Schwendi Fountain at the town’s Place de l’Ancienne Douane. While at the museum, you may also check out the living quarters of the artist’s family, which features the family’s furniture and his personal effects. The museum is located at 30 Rue des Marchands, 68000.

Pfister House

This is where you could have an ad-lib lesson on the town’s art history. This unconventional but interesting structure is essentially filled and almost submerged in art. The 500-year-old structure is one of the representations of the old town. The embellished façade is spectacular, while the inside is crammed with a brilliant collection of different arts.

Decorating the walls of the house are the paintings in their elegant state, ranging from those portraying scenes from the Bible to German emperors’ portraits. This is one of the most striking and best places to see in Colmar, and it is situated along Rue des Marchands. – one of the most quintessential Alsatian destinations.      

Catch a Tourist Train

Without a doubt, a tourist train ride in Colmar is one of the fun activities to embark on. It is a nice way to see the area, and you might want to uncover some concealed gems too. The tourist trains come with a knowledgeable and friendly conductor. They offer information, commentary, and trivia about places that you pass along the trip. Whether it is the White or Green Train that you take, you are bound to enjoy the scenic ride through the town. 

Strolling Through the Picturesque Quartier des Tanneurs

In Colmar, among the things to do is to explore its districts. The Tanners’ Quarters, aka Quartier des Tanneurs, is a beautiful area of scenic canals and lovingly restored half-timbered buildings. The building owes its name to the tanners who domiciled and set up shop here and manufactured leather products.

Do not miss the Venetian palace. It is said to be one of the quirky Renaissance mansions in the entire Alsace region. Other must-see buildings like the Palais de Justice (Law Courts) and the Market Hall that date back to the 1700s are difficult to miss too.

Have a Go at Some Alsatian food 

The city may be situated in France, but being part of the Alsace region, the food has a heavy German influence. There are several good cafes, restaurants, and eateries around Colmar for visitors to indulge in anytime. Try to sample some of the regional delicacies before you leave. You can start with the scrumptious baked potato-and-cheese dish called rosti in German. Try the delectable casserole of meats, onions, potatoes, and other vegetables named the Alsatian Baeckeoffe. 

A phenomenal option for either lunch or dinner is Munster cheese (a thin crust pizza) and flammkuchen or tarte flambée. Since it is France, sample quiche or the regular foie gras. The poulet au Riesling is another option to try. It is chicken marinated in Riesling wine.

Sample Alsace’s Finest Wines

For centuries, the Alsace region has been known to be the foremost producer of white wine. One of the necessary tourist attractions in Colmar is to sample the wines in the town as they are among the best in the world. Alsatian wines, like many in France, are named after their grape varieties. 

In the tasting sessions, you can sample different ones and compare them. Tourists may find the tastings in weekend markets or wine shops. Some wineries offer tours of their vineyards. The region’s wines are said to be part of the world’s best.

Appreciate Chapelle Saint Pierre 

Past the Grand Rue and close to the Quartier la Krutenu is the amazing Baroque church. The Jesuits built this sanctuary in the mid-1700s in the location of the 10th-century Saint Pierre priory. Its quiet garden has monuments made by the popular Bartholdi devoted to G.A Hirn (1815-1890), the Colmar physicist. Chapelle Saint Pierre is situated at Boulevard du General Leclerc, Colmar. 

>>Also Read: What is Alsace Famous For

Is Colmar Worth Visiting? – Final Thoughts

One of the best decisions you will make in Alsace is to spend a weekend in Colmar. It is a prestigious town with a picture-postcard poise where it is quite delightful to walk around. The town’s captivating cultural heritage is clear in its wonderful residential houses and the religious sanctuaries of worship. Take a pleasing trip back in time and enjoy Colmar.