Colmar: Alsace’s Little Venice and the Marzipan Village of Dreams
An open-air book of Nordic fairy tales Alsace’s little Venice. A village of dolls where the houses look like they are made of marzipan and the gnomes have put bright flower arrangements in the windows. This is how first-time visitors to Colmar feel. It’s a French town with about 65,000 people, nestled between vineyards and forests, protected by the Vosges massif, and watched over by storks who choose to nest there.
A Historical Journey
When Charlemagne owned the land and used it to raise his doves, the collection of houses and streets was called Columbaria and was just a small, quiet village. Later, when craftsmen and workers moved in, the village grew, and in the Middle Ages, it was especially prosperous because of the production and trade of a heavenly wine.
A Blend of French and German Heritage
The past still breathes in the air between the half-timbered houses and the old signs that hang over the streets, showing that Colmar has two souls. History gave the town its French identity, but it didn’t completely suffocate the German spirit. I live in the style of the houses and palaces, the way people talk, the Gothic writing on the outside of the buildings, the family names, and the names of the wines.
Exploring the Charm of Colmar
Petite Venise – The Crown Jewel of Colmar
Colmar is the best-kept and best-preserved place in all of Alsace. It is a happy island. For example, the area along the canal, called “Petite Venise,” is one of the city’s crown jewels. The old, traditional houses in this area have windows that face the canal and lean out from both sides, and the tourist port’s charming passageways enchant visitors.
Historical Landmarks
The best way to enjoy the beauty of Little Venice is to take a boat ride on a typical “bateau” that goes from the Tanners district to the Rue des Tanners.
The Place de l’Alsacienne is beautiful and cozy, but also bright and open. On it stands the Koifhus, an old building that used to be the customs office and is still decorated in the style of the Burgundians, a Germanic tribe. The Place de la Cathédral district is full of 16th-century buildings that still have the old posters on them. It is a great place to see a lot of great architecture.
Then, not far away, a beautiful Gothic doorway invites you to break into the heart of the beautiful church of St. Martin. Tourists should also check out the Eglise Dominicains. It has the beautiful “Vierge au Buisson de Roses,” which was painted in 1473 by Schongauer, a famous painter who was born in Colmar.
Museums and Cultural Treasures
There are many museums with interesting displays. One of the best is the Bartholdi Museum, which tells the whole story of Frederic Bartholdi, a famous architect and sculptor from the 19th century who was born in the city and is best known for making copies of the Statue of Liberty and the Lion of Belfort. The Museum Unterlinded, which is in a beautiful Dominican monastery, has a large collection of paintings from the Rhenish area.
The beautiful Issenheim altarpiece from the 16th century, which was made by Matthias Grunewald, is one of the most interesting pieces. Monet’s paintings, Schongauer’s pieces, and the archaeological finds that show Colmar’s long history are also very interesting. Last but not least, don’t miss the fun Museé du Jouet. It is a museum of toys that will make kids dream and give adults magical flashbacks to their childhood.
Festivals and Seasons in Colmar
Enchanting Festive Seasons
The atmosphere in this town, which looks like it was made by a children’s book illustrator, is always sweet and innocent. But the magic is at its best during the Christmas season, when lights flood the streets and decorate roofs, doors, and windows. The five markets of Colmar are also ready to bring life to the city squares, and traditional songs fill the air as boys skate on the ice rinks. In the spring, the Easter markets bring it back to two squares in the historic center.
The Festival International de Colmar
In addition to holiday events, Colmar is also home to the Festival International de Colmar, which is one of the most prestigious international festivals in Europe. During this festival, artists from all over the world perform classical and modern music in exclusive shows. The Christmas markets are simply stunning.
Climate and Travel Information
Climate and Weather
Even more telling are the snow-covered streets, which don’t happen very often in a place where the average low temperature in January is -2°C and the average high is 3°C. In July, which is the warmest month, the temperature ranges from 13°C to 25°C, which is a nice range. Rainfall is pretty evenly spread out over the course of the year. On average, it rains 12–15 days per month, but Colmar is the driest city in France because the Vosges block the clouds and keep them above the Lorraine.
Traveling to Colmar
If you want to fly to Colmar, you can use the Colmar-Houssen Airport. If you’d rather take the train, the TER connects the city to the major cities in the area.
