Colmar: urban heritage in the heart of the Alsatian vineyard
Colmar is a town in Alsace located between the Rhine and the Vosges. Its center combines half-timbered houses, religious buildings, canals and buildings dating back several centuries. The image of Little Venice does not sum up a city which was also an administrative, commercial and cultural center.
History and identity
Free city of the Holy Roman Empire then member of the Decapolis, Colmar came under French sovereignty in the 17th century. The Saint-Martin collegiate church, the old Koïfhus customs house and the Maison des Têtes bear witness to its prosperity. The changes in the border between France and Germany have left their mark on institutions, language and urban memory.
What to see
The Unterlinden Museum preserves the Isenheim altarpiece and occupies a former convent enlarged by a modern extension. The route to Little Venice passes through the tanners' district and around the covered market. Bartholdi's birthplace recalls the sculptor of the Statue of Liberty.
Understanding the place
The center is largely pedestrian, but very busy during Christmas and summer. Museums deserve real time reservation. The neighboring wine villages are not accessible by a simple walk and require transport or prepared cycling. Markets, boats and attractions follow seasonal calendars.
Prepare for the visit
Timetables, access conditions and transport may change. Consult the official pages linked from the source before the trip, protect the heritage and leave the entrances to the houses free. Source in local language.