The pleasant medieval town of Colmar, in the Alsace region of France, has some beautiful examples of Renaissance and Gothic architecture, a pretty network of canals and is also home to one of the best Christmas markets in the area. It is well worth spending a night in the town, so that you can appreciate the illuminated landmarks and streets; a unique perspective on Colmar's attractive architecture. The lights are switched on every weekend, and also on special occasions, such as the Alsace Wine Fair and during the Christmas holidays.
Colmar's pedestrianised town centre is a pleasant place to stroll among the medieval half-timbered houses, historic churches and chapels and across and alongside the network of canals. The town's two main churches, the Dominican and the Collegiate, are both well worth visiting. The 14th century Dominican church features the religious masterpiece “The Virgin in the Rose Bush” by Martin Schongauer, while the St Martin Collegiate church, one hundred years older, en restored several times over the centuries, though the original foundations can still be seen in the present-day building's crypt.
The town's customs house, dating from 1480, is the oldest building in Colmar, with a typically Alsation roof made from coloured tiles. Still open to visitors, you can enjoy a pleasant view over the main square from the building's balcony. Also worth seeing are the opulent stained glass windows in the main room. Some of the best examples of Renaissance architecture are to be found in private houses, rather than the grand churches or public buildings. The Maison Pfister, built of wood and stone, features a large oriel window, a typically Alsation architectural feature, and is decorated with paintings and sculptures of religious and allegorical figures.
The network of canals in Colmar has lead to part of the town being nicknamed “Little Venice”. Painted and half-timbered houses line the canals and are connected by a network of stone and wooden bridges. In the summer months you can get an unusual view of these historic structures on a boat trip around Colmar's waterways.
You can learn more about the town of Colmar and the region of Alsace, or shelter from the northern French rain, in one of the many community museums. The Unterlinden Museum features an extensive and impressive collection of European paintings, particularly by the German, Dutch and Flemish masters. Kids will be more interested in the Toy and Miniature Trains museum in Colmar, which allows visitors to play with some of the exhibits and includes shows in the resident puppet theatre. Finally, the Bartholdi Museum, housed in a Renaissance house, is devoted to the sculptor who created the Statue of Liberty, Frederic Auguste Bartholdi, who was born in Colmar.
Looking for self catering holiday accommodation in Colmar? Then below is a selection of gites in Colmar and villas in Colmar that can be rented direct from their owners. You can either click on each listing for further details or you can use our search engine on the left if you are looking for something in particular.
