Exploring Colmar, France: The Prettiest Town in Alsace

Picture a town so enchanting it looks like it jumped straight out of a fairy tale. Colmar is exactly that—one of the most beautiful towns we have ever seen. Its cobblestone streets and walkways, flower-lined canals, sidewalk cafes, and ancient half-timbered houses make it a photographer’s dream.

If you’ve ever watched Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, you’ll know exactly what I mean. Colmar is such a pretty village that it could easily have been Belle’s hometown—you almost expect people to dance through the streets as you wander!

Where is Colmar?

So where exactly is this magical place? Colmar sits in the Alsace region of northeastern France, just a stone’s throw from where France, Germany, and Switzerland meet. It’s a quick train ride from Basel, Switzerland, so if you’re looking for fun excursions, add Colmar to the list!

Honestly, we’d never even heard of France’s Alsace region until we spotted it on our Rhine cruise itinerary. It was one of Viking’s optional excursions (yes, that means extra cost), but as we saw it, when else would we get this chance? Sometimes you just have to go for it!

Since Colmar isn’t actually on the Rhine, we took a bus ride through Alsace to reach it. That journey alone was worth the price of admission—imagine rolling past centuries-old villages and stunning half-timbered homes. But even that didn’t prepare us for Colmar’s beauty.

Our adventure really began with an enchanting walk through Colmar’s medieval streets. As our guide led us past the town’s most important sights, we learned something fascinating: this region has been caught in a centuries-long tug-of-war between France and Germany. Alsace was such coveted territory that its identity has swung between French and German more times than a pendulum.

Back in the 19th century, Alsace was actually part of Germany. After World War I, it came back to France in 1919. But then, during World War II, Germany took control of Colmar again in 1940.

Finally, in 1945, it was liberated and returned to France for good. We hope.

So while Colmar may be French on paper, its architecture whispers German fairy tales and Christmas markets. And here’s the kicker—they don’t speak either language exclusively. The locals have their own distinct dialect called Alsatian.

(Fun fact: Ever heard of Alsatian dogs? Yep, they’re from this region too—though sadly, we didn’t spot any during our visit!)

Medieval street signs in Colmar

Here’s a charming piece of history: back when most people couldn’t read or write, shopkeepers got creative with advertising. They crafted elaborate wrought-iron brackets to hang above their doors, showing what they sold. I love that modern-day Colmar businesses, like this local bar, are keeping the tradition alive.

I have to confess, while our guide was sharing fascinating tales of Colmar’s history, I was a bit… distracted. Those ancient half-timbered houses had me completely mesmerized!

But can you blame me? These buildings have more character than a novel’s worth of protagonists. If those walls could talk, I’d bet they’d have more juicy gossip than a small-town café. Who needs history lessons when you have a front-row seat to a real-life fairytale?

They just don’t make houses like this anymore. And when you add in the occasional clip-clop of horse-drawn carriages echoing down the streets? Pure magic.

What to see in Colmar

After our guided tour wrapped up, we set off to explore on our own. Here’s a tip: You can find a list of the best things to do in Colmar on Wikipedia, of all places. But fair warning: You’ll see that this is a city that needs a lot of time to enjoy. Don’t stop by for a day, or even just one night. If you do, you’ll leave thirsty for more, just as we did.

Did you know this charming town was the birthplace of Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi, the genius behind the Statue of Liberty? His home is open to visitors, but we faced a tough choice: with limited time and so much to see, we couldn’t bring ourselves to spend too long in any one spot.

Another gem we had to reluctantly skip was the 13th-century Dominican convent, now home to the Unterlinden Museum and its crown jewel—the 500-year-old Isenheim altarpiece.

Instead, we spent our precious hours wandering the back streets, each turn bringing new gasps of delight at the incredible architecture. And while no friendly witch emerged to offer us enchanted pastries (somewhat disappointing, I’ll admit), Colmar’s charm kept us thoroughly spellbound.

Little Venice: Colmar’s Most Photogenic Quarter

If you’ve seen photos of Colmar on Instagram or Pinterest, chances are they were taken in Little Venice (Petite Venise). And trust me, it lives up to the hype! This enchanting quarter gets its nickname from the narrow canals that wind through rows of color-splashed, half-timbered houses.

The whole scene feels almost too perfect to be real. Geraniums cascade from windowsills, creating waterfalls of red and pink against the pastel-painted walls. Small bridges arch gracefully over the canal, while traditional punts (flat-bottomed boats) float beneath them, filled with visitors snapping photos from every angle possible.

But our noses eventually led us to a chocolate shop, following that irresistible cocoa aroma like cartoon characters floating on a scent trail. The display cases were a chocolate lover’s dream and works of art in themselves. All those delicate pralines and decadent truffles would tempt even the most disciplined among us, but sadly, our budgets and waistlines forced us to show more restraint than we’d have liked!

Speaking of temptation, the local fromagerie was just as hard to resist. The pungent aroma of aged cheese hit us before we even crossed the threshold. Inside, wheels of cheese in every size imaginable lined the walls, from tiny rounds perfect for a picnic to massive specimens that looked like they could feed a village.

The shopkeeper, clearly proud of his selection, offered us samples of local Munster cheese—a pungent orange specialty that’s been made in Alsace monasteries since the Middle Ages. One bite, and we understood why this cheese has been a favorite for so many centuries!

Naturally, we couldn’t explore the “Capital of Alsatian Wine” without peeking into at least one wine shop. We found ourselves in a cozy store where the shopkeeper had transformed simple wooden shelves into an elegant showcase of local vintages. Alsace’s crown jewel—their renowned Riesling—held the position of honor.

The bottles were certainly tempting, and for a moment we considered starting our own little Alsatian wine collection right there. But we knew that our excursion included a stop at a local winery later that day. Smart travelers that we are, we decided to save our palates (and euros) for the full tasting experience ahead!

Is Colmar France worth visiting?

If you’re debating whether to add Colmar to your travel plans, let me make it simple: just go! This town is more than just a pretty face with its half-timbered houses and flower-lined canals. It’s a place where every cobblestone seems to tell a story, where chocolate shops beckon with irresistible aromas, and where even a simple stroll feels like walking through an enchanted storybook.

Don’t be surprised if you find yourself humming “Tale as Old as Time” as you wander these medieval streets. Colmar has that effect on people. And trust me, the only thing you’ll regret about visiting Colmar is having to leave!

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