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.
The capital of the Alsacian wines, situated near Germany and Switzerland between the Vosges and the Rhine, Strasbourg and Mulhouse, offers visitors an exciting glimpse of 1000 years of European history.
Besides, with its 67,000 inhabitants, Colmar retains a 'country town' atmosphere which contributes so much to its charm. Wonderfully preserved from the ravages of time, its homogenous historical centre is classed as a 'protected area' and has benefited from careful restoration and ongoing improvements for more than 20 years.
Every season, it offers a richly diverse range of cultural, sporting, nature, relaxation, and culinary enjoyments.
You will be easily tempted by this enchanting "country town". Colmar will also delight you with the quality of its shops and boutiques that will allow you bring a small part of Alsace back with you in your luggage! In every street of the historic centre you will find shops upon shops offering "made in Alsace" products: food, table accents, textiles, déco, accessories, soft furnishings...
Famous for its half-timbered houses, Colmar's remarkable merchants' homes also do not fail to impress.
Famous among them is the Adolf house, the oldest in Colmar, and the Pfister house dating from the 16th century with its ornate angelled oriel, richly painted murals and long wooden gallery. And don't miss the majestic House of Heads built in the 17th century in German Renaissance style, decorated with 111 masks and a magnificent 3-storey oriel. All of them contributing to the uniqueness of Colmar.
Stroll through Colmar's vast pedestrianized zone, a listed "protected sector", enjoy its rich perfectly preserved religious and secular heritage, taking you from the Middle Ages to the 18th century: from "Little Venice" which has become the "must" venue for photographers the world over, to the Tanners district recognisable by its grand white-fronted houses. Don't miss its majestic "Collégiale" St Martin's Church with its astonishing Gothic architectural details and colours.
1100 computer-driven light sources, using the fibre optics cable network, are skillfully distributed throughout the town and thus allow an original light show throughout the year, which varies in intensity and colour.
Like a magic paintbrush, it redraws the town, applying fresh contours and new reliefs, enhancing a thousand and one architectural details.
The town is illuminated from nightfall on Fridays and Saturdays throughout the whole year, and every evening during major events marking the life in Colmar : the International Festival, Regional Alsace Wine Fair and Christmas in Colmar.
