Visit Colmar: the essential places to see and do
Dazzling colors, canals, half-timbered buildings that look like a perfect illustration: this is what characterizes Colmar. Its streets transform into tiny alleys, then open onto small squares used centuries ago by traders and merchants. Its center, mainly pedestrian, brings together houses with shiny tiled roofs and even more shiny facades, which welcomes the curious. Many visitors do this charming town in a day or on a brief shoreline excursion, but there are so many things to do in Colmar that many can be forgotten on such a short visit.
Little Venice:
Colmar is a small town, the kind of place where the best thing to do is wander its streets without a fixed route. Instead of listing an hour-by-hour itinerary, here is a list of the best places to visit in Colmar.
Whatever time you have, Little Venice is a must-see place. This stretch of pretty half-timbered buildings along the canal is certainly one of the most picturesque views of Colmar. While walking there, it’s hard not to feel like you’re in the middle of a fairy tale or a Disney scene.
In the Middle Ages, the Lauch River was redirected towards the center of Colmar in order to supply the city with drinking and commercial water. Butchers, tanners and fishmongers lived in the surrounding area – as the street names indicate – and the water made it possible to supply businesses and move goods. Even the market hall has steps that go down to the water to receive the items being transported.
Take a stroll through the street shops and taste traditional Alsatian biscuits and local charcuterie. You can also lean against the balustrade and contemplate the place, because it is undoubtedly one of the most picturesque settings in all of France.
If you spend the evening in Colmar, return in the evening, when the crowds have dissipated and the buildings are lit up. At any time of day, heading to Little Venice here is one of the best things to do in Alsace.
The Unterlinden Museum:
The Unterlinden Museum is an essential stop for tourists visiting Colmar. The museum occupies a space which was once part of the old Dominican church which, under the Gothic vaults, contains engravings and prints by Martin Schongauer (called “Beau Martin” and born in Colmar around 1450 – 1491), with subjects taken from the Passion of Christ.
Coming from the Dominican church, the work is characterized by a profound realism as evidenced by the thin faces of certain characters. Among the 16 works exhibited, special mention goes to Christ before Pilate.
In the museum’s extensive collection (15th-16th century), it is also worth mentioning a “Piety” attributed to Roger van der Weyden (1399-1464), a “Crucifixion” attributed to Matthias Grünewald (1470 c.-1528) and by the same Grünewald, the famous altarpiece of the church of Issenheim.
In addition, the museum contains paintings by Gaspard Isenmann (1430-1480), interesting for the realistic precision of objects that were in daily use in the 14th century. It is also worth mentioning several works covering a wide period from medieval times to the 19th century, such as the “Crucifixion” by Lorenzo da San Severino (15th century).
Contemporary art is well represented at the Unterlinden Museum with works by August Renoir, Claude Monet, Pablo Picasso, Fernand Leger and others.
St. Martin Church:
The imposing Saint-Martin church occupies a location in downtown Colmar that has housed a church for at least 1000 years. The current Gothic-style building, which was built between 1234 and 1365, is constructed of gleaming red and gold stone and topped with a roof of red, yellow and green tiles, characteristic of some of the city’s oldest buildings.
Inside the Saint-Martin church, treasures abound, from 13th- century-stained glass windows to a Baroque organ case dating from 1755. One of the church’s greatest works, the Isenmann altarpiece, stands now found in the nearby Unterlinden museum. The seven preserved wooden panels by Caspar Isenmann, which depict the life of Jesus, are elegantly displayed there.
How to access Colmar from our Gîtes?
Located in the heart of the Alsatian region, our lodges are located on the Alsace wine route in the beautiful village of Hunawihr. With family or friends, our lodges have several rooms with spa (jacuzzi) for a pleasant holiday in Alsace.
Our 4 lodges are accessible by car with free private parking with charging stations for electric cars.Just 25 minutes from Colmar by car, the location of our lodges will allow you to enjoy the calm of the village while being in the heart of the unmissable sites of Alsace.
Do you want to go on vacation in the heart of the Alsatian Vineyard? Perhaps in the wine village of Hunawihr? Don’t wait any longer and book one of our 5 lodgings!