Colmar, France: How to Experience its History, Culture, and Charm

One of the most enchanting Alsatian cities is Colmar, a medieval city with a unique blend of French and German cultures, as evidenced by its colorful half-timbered buildings, the food (sauerkraut dishes are particularly popular), and its language. Colmar has a winding canal, and there’s a welcoming abundance of flowers overflowing from planters on buildings and along the canal in the warmer months. It’s larger and livelier than many neighboring villages, yet it retains a warm, intimate atmosphere that invites you to wander.

Located about 40 miles/64 km south of Strasbourg, Colmar is perfectly located along the Alsace Wine Route (running north/south beginning near Strasbourg to just south of Colmar). It makes an ideal base for exploring the surrounding storybook villages, such as Kaysersberg, Riquewihr, Ribeauville, and Eguisheim.

My husband and I spent several days in Colmar and opted to stay in a short-term rental, which was ideal because it offered us more space than a hotel (and had a kitchen and laundry facilities). In a small way, we lived like locals by shopping locally for fresh fruit and vegetables, as well as Alsatian cheese and baked goods.

Alsace History in a Nutshell

Once a Roman settlement, Colmar developed into a thriving trading center in the Middle Ages and was later annexed by France in the 17th century. It was the subject of various conflicts with Germany during the 19th and 20th centuries. Now it is firmly part of France, but it still holds on to and respects its German past. In the late 19th century, while Germany controlled the area for over 40 years, the area saw the modern development of city infrastructure, including sanitation, running water, and new public buildings such as a train station. That clearly benefited the Alsatian residents. Today, the Alsatians respect their history, and it is evident in their culture, food (heavily influenced by German traditions, including sauerkraut, beer, and sausage), and language.

Famous Son

One of Colmar’s native sons was Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi (1834-1904), who designed the Liberty Enlightening the World, also known as the Statue of Liberty in New York. It was a gift from France to the United States in 1886. If you enter Colmar from the north, you’ll likely see a Statue of Liberty in a roundabout (though there are plans to move it elsewhere in town in the future). Additionally, the Bartholdi Museum (Musée Bartholdi) is housed in the home where he was born in Colmar and features interesting displays of his work.

Sequoia Gift to France

An artifact related to the Statue of Liberty is the giant Sequoia tree that stands in the Parc du Champ de Mars, which the United States gifted to Colmar. The city received the Sequoia in 1989 to mark the bicentennial of the U.S. Bill of Rights (and France’s Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen).

Top Spots in Colmar’s Medieval Center

Listed below are some of the most popular spots in Colmar. Plan a walking tour of the town soon after you arrive to gain a good understanding of the city’s places and culture. Also, a trip to the Tourist Information office (next to the Unterlinden Museum) is well spent, as its staff can help you plan your time and provide maps of the city and nearby villages. The highlights are listed in alphabetical order.

Bartholdi Museum

Once the home of Auguste Bartholdi, the Bartholdi Museum houses his sculptures on the lower level, furniture and other items from his Paris apartment on the next level, and a whole exhibit linking to the United States (with sculptures of George Washington and Marquis de Lafayette), as well as photographs and his models of the Statue of Liberty. Informational panels include pictures of the process of creating, transporting, and assembling the iconic sculpture in New York. Location: 30 Rue des Marchands

Covered Market (Marché Couvert)

Built in 1865, this building has been home to the Covered Market in recent decades. It’s located in the historic center and features approximately 20 vendors selling fresh fruit and vegetables, meat, cheese, fish, and baked goods. Additionally, some vendors offer lunch along with beer and wine. We were advised to shop there before mid-afternoon for the best selection, before vendors run out of stock. Open Tuesday through Thursday from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm, Friday from 8:00 am to 7:00 pm, Saturday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, and Sunday from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. Location: Rue des Tanneurs

Dominican Church

No longer used as a place of worship, the Dominican Church now displays the tapestry “Madonna of the Rose Garden” by Martin Schongauer. Small entrance fee. Location: Place des Dominicains

German District

Just south of the medieval center is the German District, where Germans built opulent homes outside the city when they controlled it. Here, you’ll find large homes (many of which have been transformed into apartments) and lush green open spaces.

Hansi Museum

Explore the world created by Jean-Jacques Waltz, nicknamed Hansi, with watercolors, posters, and more. Location: 28 Rue des Têtes

House of Heads

Named for the 105 sculpted heads adorning the building, theHouse of Heads is a unique site. It’s said that a former resident had the heads displayed to show his wealth. The bronze cooper statue at the top, designed by Auguste Bartholdi (the visionary behind the Statue of Liberty), serves as a reminder that this was once a place where wine merchants worked. Location: Rue des Têtes

Little Venice

The River Lauch, a tributary of the Ill, runs through town and is nicknamed “Little Venice” – a highlight of a trip to the city. It’s a scenic spot with planters overflowing with flowers and canal boats ferrying visitors along the waterway. On either side of the river are rows of colorful buildings. Location: Rue Turenne

Further down the canal lies the Fishmongers’ District, featuring beautiful, colorful half-timbered buildings. This is where boatmen and fishermen once laid their traps in the river. Location: Quai de la Poissonnerie

Pfister House

Built in 1537 for a milliner, the Renaissance-period Pfister House features exterior displays of former emperors and notable biblical figures. Location: Rue des Marchands

Unterlinden Museum

The highlight of this museum, a former convent, is the Issenheim altarpiece by Matthias Grunewald. There’s also a relaxing courtyard to enjoy a few moments of rest. Location: Place Unterlinden

What to Do in Colmar

Stroll Through Little Venice: The most photographed part of town, this canal-side neighborhood with flower-decked houses is breathtaking in every season.
Explore the Old Town: Wander past brightly painted houses, medieval churches, and hidden courtyards as you soak in the town’s fairytale atmosphere.
Visit museums. One popular option is the Unterlinden Museum, housed in a former convent, which is one of France’s top museums, famous for the Isenheim Altarpiece.
Discover the Covered Market (Marché Couvert): Sample local cheeses, charcuterie, pretzels, and pastries in Colmar’s historic market hall.
Enjoy Seasonal Charm: Colmar’s Christmas markets are legendary, with themed markets scattered across the town, each brimming with lights, crafts, and mulled wine. There’s also a popular spring market around Easter that draws plenty of visitors.
Stroll through the town in the evening to view/experience the Little Venice’s buildings alight.
Use it as a base to explore the Alsatian wine route, its welcoming villages, and vineyards.

Where to Stay and Eat

Lodging and dining are subjective individual choices. My husband and I decided to stay in a short-term rental for a few days, which gave us the option of buying fresh fruit, cheese, baguettes, and wine for snacking and relaxing at our “home.” We also purchased local baked goods at the Covered Market for breakfast. We found that staying in an apartment was a welcome change from hotels, as we had more room to relax, a kitchen, and a washer and dryer for our laundry. There are hotels in town for those who prefer that option.

There’s no shortage of restaurants and cafés in Colmar. We found that some restaurants required a reservation to eat inside, but happily welcomed folks without reservations to eat outside under an awning or canopy. We found that we enjoy outdoor dining, as we were never far from great people-watching while still savoring the restaurant’s cuisine. My advice: do an online search and read traveler-recommended reviews on TripAdvisor, Yelp, or TheFork (used extensively in Europe) to find places you and your traveling party will enjoy. You’ll find tarte flambée (an Alsatian flatbread with a variety of topping choices on many menus, and it’s definitely worth a try.

Trip Planning

France

Final Thoughts

With its canals, colorful houses, world-class museums, and proximity to Alsace’s finest vineyards, Colmar is a treat to explore. Whether you’re gliding through “Little Venice” on a boat, admiring the Isenheim Altarpiece at the Unterlinden Museum, or sipping Riesling in a centuries-old cellar, Colmar offers an experience that blends culture, history, and pure charm. For travelers seeking a destination that is both vibrant and accessible, Colmar is a true highlight of Alsace.

My husband and I stayed in a charming short-term rental right in the middle of Colmar. We began our first full day with a small-group walking tour to get the lay of the land and learn more about the city’s history. One day, we took a full-day tour of nearby villages, which provided valuable insights into the area’s cultural richness. Another day, we drove to the Vosges Mountains and found hiking trails with beautiful views and farm inns that served lunch.

And the rest of the time? We enjoyed Colmar, strolling the streets, visiting the museums, savoring the delicious food (including the ubiquitous tarte flambée), shopping for groceries, and even enjoying some meals at “home,” our short-term rental. It was easy to spend several days here, and we were sad to leave because Colmar is a relaxing place to soak in the culture – and savor the food and wine.