What is famous in Colmar?

Colmar, France, is famous for its stunningly preserved medieval Old Town with colorful, half-timbered houses, charming canals (dubbed "Little Venice"), and cobblestone streets, creating a real-life fairytale setting often linked to Disney's Beauty and the Beast. It's the capital of Alsatian wine, a historic trading hub with rich French-German heritage, known for its Christmas markets, delicious gastronomy (like Tarte Flambée & Choucroute), and being the birthplace of Statue of Liberty sculptor Auguste Bartholdi.

What is Colmar best known for?

Nestled among vineyards, its traditional houses, canals, floral displays, amazing cuisine, famous wines and charming accommodation make Colmar an outstanding microcosm of Alsace – showcasing its lifestyle, conviviality and hospitality – the key features of its unique, exceptional welcome.

What is the Speciality of Colmar?

We will mention just a few classic specialities: foie gras (invented in Strasburg in 1780), baeckaoffe (a dish composed of three types of marinated meat and potatoes in white wine), the inevitable sauerkraut, the matelote du Rhin fish dish, le coq au Riesling (chicken in wine), pain d´épices (similar to ginger bread) ...

What to do in Colmar in one day?

• PLACES TO VISIT IN COLMAR – PRACTICAL TIPS.
• LITTLE VENICE, ONE OF THE TOP PLACES TO VISIT IN COLMAR.
• TASTE ALSACIAN CUISINE.
• TOP PLACES TO VISIT IN COLMAR : ITS HALF-TIMBERED ALLEYWAYS.
• ADMIRE THE MOST BEAUTIFUL HOUSES IN COLMAR.
• THE UNTERLINDEN MUSEUM, ONE OF THE PLACES TO VISIT IN COLMAR.

Which is nicer, Colmar or Strasbourg?

Colmar and Strasbourg each have their own unique magic, making it hard to go wrong with either choice. Colmar is perfect for those craving a serene, fairy-tale escape, while Strasbourg is much bigger with more variety and history to offer.

Colmar France Travel Guide: BEST Things To Do in Colmar 2026

What is the prettiest town in Alsace?

Ribeauvillé and Riquewihr

These two villages, quite close to each other, are among the most visited in Alsace and the most beautiful in France.

Is Colmar a walkable city?

Visit Little Venice and Old Colmar on foot

The city is small and can be visited very well on foot.

What is the most Christmassy town in France?

Strasbourg – Alsace

Dating back to 1570, the legendary market sweeps across the entire Old Town in a glow of lights and garlands with the majestic Christmas tree on Place Kléber standing as the city's seasonal centerpiece. For many, Strasbourg is more than just a market – it's a holiday pilgrimage.

What does Colmar mean in French?

Colmar (French pronunciation: [kɔlmaʁ]; Alsatian: Colmer [ˈkolməʁ]; German: Colmar or Kolmar) is a city and commune in the Haut-Rhin department and Alsace region of north-eastern France.

Where is the fountain from Beauty and the Beast?

Wandering the streets of Colmar is like stepping into a fairytale. It is said that it was the inspiration for Beauty and the Beast, and there is even a fountain that looks like the one in the movie.

What is traditional Alsace food?

Traditional dishes include baeckeoffe, flammekueche, choucroute, cordon bleu, Vol-au-vent, spaetzle, fleischnacka, bretzel, and Zewelwaï The region's version of coq au vin is coq au Riesling. Southern Alsace, also called the Sundgau, is characterized by carpe frite (that also exists in Yiddish tradition).

What is the Little Venice in Colmar?

The « little Venice » is the name given to the course of the Lauch in Colmar. This name probably came from the original line of the houses on both sides of the river, which serves the southeast of the city.

What is a fun fact about Colmar?

Fun Facts About Colmar

• The Little Venice of France: Colmar is often referred to as the “Little Venice of France” due to its canals and picturesque atmosphere.
• The Birthplace of Bartholdi: Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi, the sculptor of the Statue of Liberty, was born in Colmar.

Who is famous from Colmar?

Auguste Bartholdi - Father of the statue of liberty. Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi, the most famous artist of Alsace of the 19th century, was born in Colmar in 1834.

What is the best time to visit Colmar?

As in nearby Strasbourg, the best time to visit Colmar is spring and summer, when you can enjoy wine tasting in the beautiful weather. That said, autumn brings lovely foliage and a plenitude of wine harvest festivals.

What to do in Colmar for a day?

Top Attractions in Colmar

• Little Venice. 4.5. (6,100) Neighborhoods. ...
• Old Town. 4.7. (4,871) Points of Interest & Landmarks. ...
• Musée Unterlinden. 4.4. (1,733) Art Museums. ...
• Marché Couvert. 4.0. (727) Farmers Markets. ...
• Grand Rue De Colmar. 4.5. (274) ...
• Eglise St-Martin. 4.2. (653) ...
• Musée du Jouet. 4.1. (777) ...
• Koifhus (Old Custom House) 4.2. (448)

Do they speak English in Colmar?

If you don't know any French, definitely bring a dictionary and phrasebook with you, or use a translation app like “Converse,” because most people here speak several languages, but not English.

Which is bigger, Strasbourg or Colmar?

Strasbourg is beautiful but is much larger than Colmar. We prefer Colmar as it is smaller and stunningly beautiful in a different way than Strasbourg. It is much easier to walk and wander through the different parts of town and has plenty of shops and restaurants.

What is the silly village in France?

Trécon, in case you missed it, sounds exactly like "très con" which means "really dumb" or "very stupid" in English. The mayor said that it wasn't uncommon for people to steal his village's road signs - something that many other villages with similarly strange names can relate to.

Is Colmar or Strasbourg Christmas market better?

If you're traveling with kids, love calm corners, or are prioritizing atmosphere and aesthetics — go for Colmar. If you're into grand holiday spectacles, concerts, large markets, and don't mind the crowds — choose Strasbourg.

What is the most beautiful Christmas market in France?

The best French Christmas markets

• Strasbourg – The most iconic, the capital of Christmas. ...
• Colmar – A fairytale setting. ...
• Reims – The most beautiful Christmas market in Northeast France. ...
• Montbéliard – The most luminous. ...
• Lyon – Markets and Lights. ...
• Annecy – Christmas Between Lake and Mountains. ...
• Paris – Elegance and Variety.

How long is the high speed train from Paris to Colmar?

How long is the train ride from Paris to Colmar? Trains from Paris to Colmar take an average of 2 hours and 52 minutes, although on the fastest services it can take just 2 hours and 25 minutes. You'll usually find 20 trains per day on this route, so use our Journey Planner to check specific dates as times may vary.

Which airport do you fly into for Colmar?

How many airports are there near Colmar? There are 2 airports near Colmar: Strasbourg Airport and Basel Mulhouse Freiburg Airport.

Is Uber in Colmar?

Getting a taxi in Colmar just got easier with the Uber app. In a few steps, you can request a local taxi and pay for your trip all from one place. Whether you're requesting a taxi from the airport or you're discovering somewhere new, sign in on Uber.com or open the app and enter a destination in Colmar.