Holiday in Colmar

What makes Colmar special as a destination?

Colmar in the heart of Alsace is a city that looks like a living illustration from a fairy tale book. The district 'Little Venice' (Petite Venise) with its pastel-colored half-timbered houses along the banks of the Lauch, the flower-adorned bridges, and the small boats is one of the most photogenic places in France — and is said to have even inspired Walt Disney for his village in 'Beauty and the Beast'. The old town is an architectural gem with buildings from the 13th to 18th centuries: The Maison Pfister with its painted facade, the Maison des Têtes with 106 faces on the front, and the Koifhus (old customs house) are among the highlights. The Unterlinden Museum houses Matthias Grünewald's Isenheim Altarpiece, one of the most significant works of late medieval art, as well as a collection from Schongaür to Picasso. Colmar is strategically located on the Alsace Wine Route and is surrounded by vineyards. The Grand Cru sites Rangen, Brand, and Hengst produce some of the best wines in Alsace. In December, the squares of the old town transform into one of the most atmospheric Christmas markets in France with six different markets, mulled wine, and handcrafted jewelry. Colmar is the driest city in France (less than 600 mm of rainfall) and enjoys an exceptionally mild climate that even allows fig trees to thrive. The city is well connected by train to Strasbourg (30 minutes) and Basel (45 minutes).