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Best Things to Do in Colmar, France

17/10/2024

Article written by Elisa
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Visit Colmar, Alsace

Colmar is a fairytale city not far from the German border. The mix of French and German influences has created a beautiful city with picturesque cobbled streets, winding canals, and half-timbered houses.

Colmar is a popular destination for a weekend getaway and for anyone who enjoys wine, as it is one of the main stops on the Alsace wine route. With its picturesque scenery, great food, and friendly people, Colmar is also the perfect introduction to Alsace, and I am sure the city will steal your heart!

While there aren’t many attractions, you will find numerous stunning scenic places where you can sit and soak in the atmosphere. Keep reading to discover my suggestions for things to do in Colmar, France, for an unforgettable holiday.

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What to Do in Colmar, France

What to do in Colmar? This Colmar things-to-do list includes the best places to visit in Colmar, activities, and some ideas for a day trip.

How Many Days in Colmar? Spend two days in Colmar to cover the things to do on this list and get a good taste of what the city has to offer. Spend more time if you wish to explore the city’s surroundings on day trips from Colmar.

1. Stroll around the Old Town

Streets of Colmar

The Old Town area is one of the best things to see in Colmar. Filled with wooden houses, twisting alleys, and little squares where you can sit and enjoy the atmosphere, it’s both quaint and surprisingly sophisticated.

Throughout the years and numerous conflicts, this part of the city has remained mostly untouched, which is why it retains its fairy-tale look and feel.

Despite the small size of the city, it can be surprisingly difficult to see everything in Old Town because of the twisting alleyways and streets. So, if you’re looking for a fun way to explore the Old Town without wearing out your shoes, why not take this fun Segway tour?

2. Little Venice

Colmar - Alsace

Exploring Little Venice is one of the most popular things to do in Colmar. Slightly south of Colmar’s Old Town, the city is bisected by the Lauch River, creating this picturesque neighborhood.

Once home to winemakers and fishmongers, this part of the city is all winding canals, brightly colored houses, and graceful arching bridges. You can wander Little Venice on foot or sail the canals on a traditional boat and enjoy the flowered canal banks and pretty architecture in a comfortable way. Boat departures are at Saint-Pierre bridge, boulevard Saint-Pierre. During the high season, it is better if you book in advance.

3. Visit the Unterlinden Museum

Unterlinden Museum - Colmar

If you are wondering what to do in Colmar, visiting the Unterlinden Museum must be on your list. Located in a beautiful 13th-century Dominican convent, it contains a stunning collection of medieval paintings, folk art, and sculptures from the Gothic and Renaissance eras. There’s also a collection of artworks from the 20th and 21st centuries featuring artists like Pablo Picasso, Claude Monet, Maurice Denis, and Pierre Bonnard.

But the collection’s pride is the Isenheim Altarpiece, a polyptych or panel painting depicting scenes from the lives of Christ and Saint Anthony. It was created by Matthias Grünewald and Niclaus of Hagenau in 1515, and it is amazing!

Address: Place des Unterlinden, Colmar; Opening times: Wednesday to Thursday, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

4. Toy Museum and Chocolate Museum

If you’re traveling with kids, or even if you’re not, this Toy Museum is one of the best things to do in Colmar. Located in a former cinema, it contains toys and models dating from the 1800s to the present. More than 1,000 toys fill this museum; it even has an interactive area where you can play with some of the toys and revisit your childhood.

The dolls, train sets, LEGO, game consoles, and Barbie dolls are charming enough, but the railway model that takes the entire second floor of the museum is the true star. It measures 120 square meters and is a truly amazing feat of engineering that will delight children of all ages.

Address: 40 Rue de Vauban, Colmar; Opening times: Wednesday to Thursday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Choco-Story in Colmar is part of the “chain” of museums dedicated to chocolate. During the visit, you will learn about the history of chocolate and (virtually) explore the main production areas.

The museum is very interactive and designed to entertain kids and adults alike (games, movies, photo booths, etc.). There are several places where you can eat chocolate, too.

Address: 12 Place de la Cathédrale, Colmar; Opening times: daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

5. Taste the Food in Alsace

Alsace Traditional Food

France is famous for its food, and Colmar is no different. That’s why exploring the local cuisine is easily one of the best things to do in Colmar. Food in Alsace is a mix of French and German flavors, so many local delicacies are not for the diet-conscious!

The food in Colmar is heavy on cream, sugar, and carbohydrates. It features delicacies like Bretzels—which are pretzels with or without melted cheese—tarte flambée, and choucroute—a type of fermented cabbage with pork and three types of sausage. It’s definitely not for sensitive stomachs, but it’s delicious anyway!

A good place to start your food explorations in Colmar is the Covered Market (13 Rue des Ecoles), which opens from Tuesday to Sunday. Here, you will see the local and regional products on display, like cheese, meats, wines, and seasonal fruits. You will also find some eateries where you can try the tarte flambée, vin chaud (in winter), spaetzle (local pasta), and other local specialties.

For dinner, head to a winstub Winstubs (or wistubs), which are the local eateries. My favorite winstubs in Colmar are the Pfeffel (1 Rue du Rempart, Colmar) and Au Koïffus (2 Place de l’Ancienne Douane, Colmar).

6. Learn about the Alsace Wines

Museum of Alsace Wines - Colmar

The (quite new) Musée des Vins d’Alsace (Museum of Alsace Wines) is a great introduction to the Alsace Wine Route or your wine tours. The Alsace Wine Region produces dry white wines, sparkling sweet varieties, and rosés. Just like in Southern Germany, you can find delicious Rieslings, Gewurztraminers, and Pinot Gris in Alsace. There are also wines made from the Pinot Noir grape – which are pale reds, often rosés. Sparkling wines, called Crémant d’Alsace, are also made of Pinot Noir.

The Musée des Vins d’Alace is very interactive and covers the history of Alsace wines and the wine-making process from the vines to the glass. There are also a couple of tastings at the end of the visit.

Address: 12 Place de la Cathédrale, Colmar; Opening times: daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

If you want to learn more about Alsace wines, there’s no better way than visiting the wine cellars to taste their best bottles. Colmar is along the Alsace Wine Route, and the closest wineries are only 5 km away! If you don’t have a car, this small group full-day wine tour from Colmar visits three wineries in three different villages in Alsace, and it always gets excellent ratings.

7. Visit the Bartholdi Museum

Bartholdi with Statue of Liberty in the background
Statue of Liberty - Bartholdi Museum

Sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi is best known for creating the Statue of Liberty in New York. He also created two of France’s most famous pieces: the equestrian statue of Vercingetorix in Clermont-Ferrand and the Lion of Belfort in the city of the same name.

Bartholdi was born and raised in Colmar, and the Bartholdi Museum now stands in the house where he was born. It contains many of the models he used to plan his work, including early models of his Statue of Liberty, as well as models of the sculptures he left around Colmar. So, if you’re interested in learning more about the Statue of Liberty’s history, then this museum is one of the best Colmar attractions for you.

Address: 30 Rue des Marchands, Colmar; Opening times: Tuesday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.

8. Explore Colmar’s Fairy-tale Christmas Market

Colmar Christmas Market - Place des Dominicains

The Christmas Market in Colmar is simply magical; there’s no other word for it. Located in the medieval ambiance of the Old Town, lit up and decorated like a fairy tale, it’s one of the best Christmas markets in Alsace.

The Christmas period in Colmar begins around the third week of November and ends with the year. It’s a busy time in the city, so you must book your accommodation and transport well ahead of time to avoid missing out (the best hotels are booked one year in advance!). With some early planning, you can enjoy the friendly, jovial atmosphere, the medieval buildings lit up with lights, and the magical feel of Christmas in Colmar.

Get in the holiday spirit with this guided walking tour of the Colmar Christmas Market. Learn its history and local Christmas traditions while exploring its most popular corners and hidden gems.

What to Do near Colmar

Alsace Wine Region, France

Do you have an extra day (or two) in Colmar? Colmar is a great base for exploring other places in Alsace on day trips or tours. Below are my favorite options for a day out of Colmar. For more options, check out this list of best day trips from Colmar.

9. Take a Day Trip to Strasbourg

Strasbourg River Cruise

A day trip from Colmar to Strasbourg is very easy to organize by train. The train ride from Colmar to Strasbourg only takes 30 minutes.

Strasbourg is the capital of the new French region of Grand Est and the seat of many European institutions like the European Parliament. The list of the best things to see in Strasbourg includes the Gothic Cathedral, the neighborhood of La Petite France with its picturesque houses and canals, the Maison Kammerzel, and the European Parliament.

If you visit during Christmas, Strasbourg is also famous for its Christmas market, one of the most beautiful Christmas Markets in France!

10. Explore the Most Beautiful Villages of Alsace

Riquewhihr - Alsace

If you don’t have time for a road trip in Alsace, why not visit some of the beautiful Alsace Villages around Colmar on a day trip?

Make sure you put Riquewihr first on your bucket list. Nestled between mountains and vineyards, this is one of the most beautiful medieval towns in the area. Riquewihr is also famous for being the setting for the movie Beauty and the Beast with Emma Watson. Other beautiful towns to visit near Colmar are Eguisheim and Kaysersberg.

If you’re concerned about missing the best spots, take this full-day guided tour that combines two of the best things to do in Alsace: the area’s prettiest villages and wine tastings.

11. Visit Haut-Koenigsbourg Castle

Château de Haut-Koenisgsbourg - France

Alsace is the French region with more castles and fortresses, and Château du Haut-Koeingsbourg is the most famous. Located less than 30 km from Colmar, a visit to the Château makes a pleasant half-day trip from Colmar.

Although the castle was initially built in the 12th century, it was destroyed in the Thirty Years War and stood abandoned until it was rebuilt in the early 20th century by the Emperor of Germany, Wilhelm II (when Alsace was a German possession).

The renovation stayed true to the Castle’s original design, and today, it’s a medieval masterpiece of walls, armor, and artwork. It also offers some of the most stunning views over the French landscape.

You can visit the Castle alone (skip the line by booking your tickets in advance) or with this guided tour from Colmar.

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