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Colmar

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City
PlizioGo—°10146
Colmar (France)
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Practical info — Colmar

🌤 Weather — 5 days

📍 Nearby

Sights nearby

💡 Tips

  • Explore 'Little Venice' (Petite Venise) early in the morning to enjoy its charm and take photos without the massive crowds.
  • Consider a flat-bottomed boat ride on the Lauch river for a unique perspective on the colorful half-timbered houses.
  • Allocate at least two hours for the Musée Unterlinden to fully appreciate the famous Isenheim Altarpiece and other artworks.
  • Colmar is a great hub for exploring the Alsace Wine Route; look out for local bus connections to nearby pretty villages.

🍽 Food

🍽
Flammekueche (Tarte Flambée)

A thin, crispy flatbread topped with cream, onions, and bacon. Try it in traditional Winstubs in the old town.

🍽
Baeckeoffe

A hearty slow-cooked meat and potato stew. Best enjoyed at a cozy restaurant near the canals.

🍽
Alsace Wines

Sample local Riesling or Gewürztraminer at wine bars or directly from producers in the region.

🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots

🛍
Marché Couvert

The historic covered market is well-suited for buying local cheeses, fresh pretzels, and regional charcuterie.

🛍
Alsatian Ceramics

Look for traditional hand-painted pottery in the specialized shops along the pedestrian zones.

🧘
Parc du Champ de Mars

A large, spacious park with a carousel and monuments, offering a break from the crowded narrow streets.

🧘
Quartier des Maraîchers

Walk south along the Lauch river into the old market gardeners' district for a peaceful atmosphere.

Highlights of 2026

10

Colmar is the third-largest city in Alsace, located along the Alsatian Wine Route at the foot of the Vosges Mountains. The city is famous for its exceptionally well-preserved historical center, showcasing eight centuries of blended German and French architectural styles. A highlight is the 'Petite Venise' (Little Venice) district, where colorful half-timbered houses line the Lauch River. The Unterlinden Museum houses the region's most significant masterpiece, the Isenheim Altarpiece by Matthias Grünewald, dating from the early 16th century. Colmar is also the birthplace of Frédéric-Auguste Bartholdi, the creator of the Statue of Liberty; his legacy is honored in a dedicated museum and a replica of the statue at the city entrance. The local climate is one of the driest in France, which greatly benefits the production of high-quality white wines. Today, Colmar is widely known as the 'Capital of Alsatian Wines' and a global cultural landmark.

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Avg °C0151014182019151051
Rain mm604856579683858664786470

Live webcam – Colmar

See what it looks like near Colmar right now.

Colmar › West: Colmar Airport · 3.4 km · Open webcam on Windy · Webcams provided by Windy.com

Geography

Population
65,405
Coordinates
48.07900, 7.35700

Facts

  • Birthplace of Frédéric-Auguste Bartholdi, creator of the Statue of Liberty
  • The Isenheim Altarpiece is kept in the Unterlinden Museum
  • The 'Petite Venise' district features houses along the Lauch River
  • Recognized as the capital of Alsatian wines
  • One of the driest cities in France due to the rain shadow of the Vosges
  • The Koïfhus is the city's oldest public building, dating to 1480

Explore nearby

Notable places around

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Sights in the town Colmar (14)

Little Venice (Petite Venise)🏺 historical

A pretty area of the city with colorful half-timbered houses lining the canals of the Lauch river.

Unterlinden Museum🏛 museum

One of France's most important museums, famous for housing the Isenheim Altarpiece in a former convent.

St. Martin's Church⛪ religious

A large Gothic church built of yellow sandstone, serving as the principal religious landmark of Colmar.

Bartholdi Museum🏛 museum

The birthplace of Frédéric-Auguste Bartholdi, creator of the Statue of Liberty, showcasing his work and life.

House of the Heads (Maison des Têtes)🏺 historical

A remarkable 17th-century building featuring over 100 carved stone heads decorating its unique facade.

Champ-de-Mars🎡 recreation

A large central park featuring pleasant walkways, fountains, and statues of prominent local figures.

Toy Museum🏛 museum

The Toy Museum is housed in a former 1950s cinema and displays an extensive collection of antique toys and model trains.

Dominican Church⛪ religious

This 13th-century Gothic Dominican church houses the famous "Madonna in the Rose Bower" painting by Martin Schongauer.

Tanners' Quarter🏺 historical

The Tanners' Quarter features tall half-timbered houses from the 17th and 18th centuries, where skins were once dried in the attics.

Covered Market🍽 culinary

Built in 1865, this brick and iron covered market hall has regional Alsatian products and specialties in the heart of the city.

Okidok👨‍👩‍👧 family

Okidok in Colmar is an indoor playground offering children many opportunities to play and move around.

Synagogue⛪ religious

The Colmar Synagogue was built in the 19th century in the Neo-Romanesque style. It is a significant monument of Jewish heritage in Alsace and is officially protected.

Parc Saint-François-Xavier🌳 park

The Saint-François-Xavier Park is a green oasis in the heart of Colmar. It provides shaded paths and lawns that are well-suited for a relaxing outdoor stroll.

Château Kiener🏰 castle

Château Kiener is an elegant manor house in Colmar surrounded by a beautiful garden. It is an example of the city's bourgeois architecture and now serves various purposes.

Frequently asked questions

What is the 'Petite Venise' district?
A photogenic district with colorful timber-framed houses along the Lauch River, best explored by electric boat.
Which museum is a must-visit?
The Unterlinden Museum, which houses the famous Isenheim Altarpiece by Matthias Grünewald in a former convent.
What is Colmar's connection to the Statue of Liberty?
Auguste Bartholdi, creator of the statue, was born here; there is a museum and a 12m replica at the city entrance.
When is the best time to visit?
December is magical for the Christmas markets, but spring (Easter) also features beautiful decorations in the old town.
What is the Maison des Têtes?
A 1609 Renaissance house whose facade is decorated with 106 small heads and masks.
Colmar: where is it located?
Colmar is located in Grand Est, France.
Colmar: what is there to see?
Highlights include Little Venice (Petite Venise), Unterlinden Museum, St. Martin's Church.
Colmar: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Aug.
Colmar: why is it worth visiting?
Colmar is the third-largest city in Alsace, located along the Alsatian Wine Route at the foot of the Vosges Mountains.
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