3 tips 3 countries !
We recently had visitors, the weather was excellent and Colmar was our desired destination for the day.
The third largest city in Alsace is home to countless sights, many beautiful places, picturesque houses and cultural treasures, the list of which would become too long here.
I will therefore limit myself to three, all of which have to do with other countries.
1.) Colmar is a little bit of Italy:
Petite Venise - (Little Venice).
Along the river Lauch, in the southern part of the city centre, the numerous half-timbered houses have been built facing the water, just like in Venice. Small bridges decorated with flowers lead us across the river. But the colourful facades of the half-timbered houses quickly make clear that we are here in Alsace. There are wonderful photo motifs here.
In Petite Venise, numerous small restaurants and cafés tempt you to take a break.
If you want to escape the hustle and bustle of the city for a while, you can rent a boat. These sail along the Lauch and offer a completely new perspective on the city.
2.) Colmar is a little bit of the USA
Did you know that the Statue of Liberty comes from Colmar? It was a gift from the French to the USA. The Alsatian sculptor Auguste Bartholdi (1834-1904) designed and built the statue. Musée Bartholdi contains models and smaller replicas of it. It is also the birthplace of the artist.
In the Choco-Story Colmar chocolate museum you will even find a model made of chocolate!
And if you want to see a 12 m high copy, go by car to the roundabout at
Route de Strasbourg No. 45.
Bartholdi also built the Schwendi Fountain. It depicts Lazare de Schwendi, a former French general who according to legend, brought the first Tokaj vine from Hungary and thus promoted viticulture in the region. This is evident from the vine the sculpture holds. This brings us to the next point.
3.) Colmar is a little bit of Germany
Colmar is considered the capital of Alsatian wine and is located on the Alsatian Wine Route. It is the only region in France where it has always been normal to write the respective grape varieties on the labels of the wine bottles. This is not usually the case for quality wines in France. It´s connected with the eventful history of Alsace, as the region belonged to Germany from time to time in the past, and the habit of cultivating the wine from one grape variety as a rule, also writing the grape variety on the label, dates from these times.
Strolling through the streets of the city, you will see German words on the facades from time to time, even some street names still bear witness to those troubled times.
Fortunately, however, the region is now part of France, so not only can you drink wonderful wines here, but you can also enjoy the fantastic French cuisine.
There are many typical dishes in Alsace like: Flammkuchen, Baeckeoffe, Sauerkraut, Münsterkäse or even Kougelhopf to name a few. You can find them in numerous restaurants.
But if you want to eat something different, here is my secret tip a little off the beaten track, but within walking distance: A delicious cuisine, where also vegetarians will find something, is combined to create delicious menus. The blue interior with its cosy furnishings is unusual, but very tasteful. You simply feel at home here.
Restaurant le 20ième Colmar
For all other ideas about Colmar: https://www.visit.alsace/en/colmar/
And if you want to explore the city on your own, always follow the sign on the ground:
The guide will take you past all the points of interest. A map explaining the points is available at the Office de Tourisme.
And another tip:
The Christmas markets in Colmar are worth a visit. Christmas markets are set up in many places in the city center. The whole city is decorated for Christmas and it smells of gingerbread and mulled wine.
It starts at the end of November and usually continues through the Christmas holidays.
And now it's your turn: What tips do you have for the city?