The Alsace region is located in north-eastern France, near the borders of Germany and Switzerland. This area has been occupied by both Germany and France over the centuries. As a result, Alsace has a distinctive culture, all its own, but with distinct French and German influences. It is most famous for storks, geraniums, Riesling and sauerkraut.
Colmar, the third largest Alsatian town, is like a perfectly preserved and enchanting fairy tale. Its half-timbered houses, canals and bridges, cuisine, viticulture and charming accommodations make it an outstanding place to base yourself when exploring Alsace.
If you're looking for the most charming things to do in Colmar, I’ve got you covered. Here’s a guide for where to stay, things to do and where/what to consume.
ACCOMODATION:
Nestled in the heart of the Petite Venise (Littel Venice) neighborhood, the Hotel Le Colombier Colmar offers 33 rooms and suites. It's a great location, with a cute courtyard. The rooms were nothing to write home about but were clean and functional.
ACTIVITIES:
Strolling through the pedestrianized old town is one of the best things to do in Colmar. It’s so cute and charming, with each street filled with candy-colored buildings, leftover Christmas lights/decorations and teddy bears. Once of the best ways to explore and acclimate yourself is to take a walking tour.
Be sure to visit the market or Marché Couvert. It's open every day, apart from Mondays. Try the pretzels and Munster cheese.
It's a 30-minute train from Colmar to Strasbourg, if you fancy spending a bit of time in a bigger Alsatian city. The Cathédrale Notre-Dame-de-Strasbourg is not to be missed!
Don't leave the region without exploring at least some of the Alsatian Wine Route. I did this tour, which was FANTASTIC! We visited three wineries and tasted 23 Rieslings, Gewürztraminers, Pinot Gris, Muscats and Crémant d’Alsace.
The Alsace Wine Trail offers kilometer after kilometer of happiness (170km to be exact). It passes through almost 119 winegrowing villages where almost 720 wine producers look forward to welcoming you to share their passion for wine.
CONSUME:
It’s fair to say that my daily consumption of cheese, wine and carbohydrates on this trip was closer, medically, to a cry for help than a diet. But, if that sounds good to you, here are my recommendations…
Be sure to try Colmar's local delicacies like flammenkuchen/tartes flambées (pizza-like), munster cheese, kugelhopf (bunt cake) and other specialties in traditional restaurants called Winstubs (bistros).
Have lunch at the adorable Jadis et Gourmande. I overindulged on a goat cheese salad and potatoes smothered with cheese/bacon and washed it all down with some Riesling.
For dinner the first night in Colmar, I dined at À l'Échevin, in the Hôtel Le Maréchal. The restaurant is Michelin-recommended. I suggest booking, in advance, for the blue dining room, which overlooks the river and order the duck two ways.
The second night, I ate at Restaurant Girardin, one of Colmar's three restaurants with Michelin stars. We enjoyed a 5-course tasting menu, in a sparse room with only about 15 other diners.
If you find yourself in Strasbourg and have a cheese craving, I highly recommend L’Epicier. They offer raclette, fondue and cheese plates. There are also many wines to choose from.
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO:
Visit: The tiny town of Colmar, with a population of ~70,000, welcomes ~2.8 million people to its city between the end of November and the end of December. By about the 5th of January, following the Christmas rush, the town nearly shuts down for about a month. Many restaurants and shops are closed and there are very people on the streets. I would recommend visiting from about 2nd - 4th January for a quieter experience, relaxed atmosphere and cheaper rates, but still all lit up.
Hours: Like other parts of France, opening hours in Colmar can be quite strange. Usually things are open 9am - 12pm and from 2pm - 7pm. Lunch is usually only served from 12pm - 2pm. Like in other parts of Europe, most shops are also closed on Sundays.
Weather: Colmar is one of the driest cities in France. It has a sunny microclimate, with cold, dry winters and warm to hot summers.
Disney: Rumor has it that Belle’s small French town in Beauty and the Beast was inspired by villages in the Alsace region.
Language: The primary language spoken in Colmar is French, but there is also the German dialect of Alsatian. English is also spoken by many people in the tourist town.
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