Colmar – Alsace's charming town with canals and half-timbered houses

In Alsace, in northeastern France, lies the charming little town of Colmar, which with its half-timbered houses and narrow cobblestone streets often feels like it was taken from a fairy tale. The city is surrounded by rolling hills and sunny vineyards, where centuries of winemaking have left their mark on the landscape and culture. Here, time almost seems to have stood still in the Middle Ages.

Over the centuries, Colmar has oscillated between being German and French, giving the city a rich cultural mix – from architecture and language to culinary traditions. Despite the rapid turns of history, Colmar has always preserved its proud Alsatian soul, a unique combination of French elegance and German precision. The result is a city that is not only beautiful to look at, but also invites the visitor to experience traditions, gastronomy and lifestyle that are completely unique to this part of France.

Half-timbered houses with slanted exterior walls and colorful shutters lean against each other, almost as if the small houses are peering at each other curiously. It is so charming that it makes your heart happy. On the narrow canals, boats glide past with tourists who want to see the city from the water. Perhaps a bit too touristy, but even that feels charming here. The district is popularly known as “Little Venice” and it's easy to understand why.

The storks

On the rooftops and on many wooden signs and paintings you will encounter the area's symbol of good luck – the stork. I have probably never seen so many storks as in Colmar. It is said that almost 250 pairs of storks live in the region and everywhere the storks trudge on the roofs with their long, slender legs.

It's easy to imagine that the storks are somehow keeping a watchful eye over the city. Considering that Colmar has escaped much of the destruction during the wars that have ravaged the region over the years, it's not hard to imagine that the storks may have helped to keep disaster at bay.

Wine festivals

Colmar is the wine capital of Alsace, and every late summer the city is filled with the scent of grapes and a festive atmosphere as the great wine festival kicks off. For 15 days, the region's fine white wines are celebrated, with happy people, music and tastings that attract both locals and tourists.

But you don't have to wait for the festival to enjoy the wines of Alsace. At any time of the year, you can sit down at one of the many outdoor cafes with a glass of Riesling in hand. It will probably feel like one of the best glasses of wine you've ever tasted.

Hiking

For those who like both wine and hiking, there are several different hiking trails that take you around the large vineyards. Many wineries are open to visitors even though there are no signs or opening hours. Maybe you'll be lucky and be served the farm's Gewurztraminer with a small piece of fat and creamy Munster cheese. If your taste buds haven't already squealed with happiness, they will now.

When is the best time to visit Colmar?

The late summer wine harvest is the highlight of the year. If you can visit Alsace in August/September, you will be able to take part in numerous festivals and food markets.

Where should I live?

It is best if you can stay in a small guesthouse in the city center, so you can easily explore Colmar's restaurant scene in the evenings. We stayed within walking distance of the center (1 km), in a cozy Hotel Beausejour. Here you will not only find a nice hotel, but also a cozy restaurant housed in the courtyard under a flamboyant roof of vines.

How do I travel to Colmar?

Colmar is quite far from the nearest airports in France and has no direct flights from Stockholm. Zurich (150 kilometers) or Frankfurt (300 kilometers) are the closest, but you can also fly to the nearest large city Strasbourg (70 kilometers) with a stopover. We passed by here in connection with a visit to the amusement park Europe park - a must visit if you are traveling in Alsace with children.

Read more about all the attractions in Alsace on my Alsace page.
Do you want to read more about France? Here you will find more articles about nature, cities, caves and hiking.