In the north-east of France, close to Germany and Switzerland, in the heart of the vineyards, Colmar the Alsatian seduces from the start by the beauty of its old center preserved like a historical film set! This small town is a jewel to be discovered by train, by carriage, by boat, by bicycle and on foot. By taking your time. And what could be better than to do it when the Christmas festivities light up the city? As in the whole of Alsace, the Advent period in Colmar is really magical. A good idea for a family weekend before Christmas.
A charming and romantic city center
The old town of Colmar, structured around the Gothic church of Saint-Martin (a major work of 13th century Gothic architecture), with its cobbled streets, lined with medieval half-timbered and early Renaissance buildings, bathed in canals, illuminated in winter, is a real enchantment
You must stroll along the Quai de la Poissonnerie, where the fish market was held and where the professional fishermen of the city lived, associated with the boatmen within a powerful corporation. From here you can reach two other picturesque neighborhoods, on one side the Tanners and on the other the Little Venice. Petite Venise is the district of the market gardeners, around the rue Turenne, which is bathed by the Lauch, a tributary of the Ill river. It is one of the most pleasant and romantic places of the city with the original alignment of typical Alsatian houses on both sides of the river. Boat trips, lasting about half an hour, are offered in the district. Along the water, you can appreciate the calm and serenity. Don't forget your camera, you don't want to miss capturing such beautiful landscapes!
Museums and wine routes
Colmar also delights families with many museums: the Gingerbread and Alsatian folk art museum, the Hansi village and its museum in the famous Maison des Têtes, the Natural History and Ethnography Museum and the unmissable Bartholdi Museum. Colmar is also the birthplace of the sculptor who created the Statue of Liberty in New York and the Lion of Belfort. Since 1922, the eponymous museum has been highlighting the life and work of this major French artist of the 19th century. Located in the heart of the city's historic center in the superb house where the artist was born on August 2, 1834, the museum displays the original models of Bartholdi's masterpieces, as well as other sculptures, drawings, paintings and photographs signed by the artist himself. Finally, during the Christmas season, the Toy Museum is dedicated to young and old children and is housed on three levels in a former movie theater, where you can find toys from the 19th and 20th centuries. A museum that tends to become an ethnological museum in its own right.
Another asset, Colmar is located on the Alsace wine route. The local vineyards produce Riesling and Gewürztraminer wines. It is one of the oldest wine routes in France. At the foot of the eastern slopes of the Vosges, it stretches from Thann, the southern gateway to the vineyards, to Marlenheim in the north of the region, over more than 170 km. Known worldwide, it contributes to the fame of Alsace wines. Here the vineyard benefits from an exceptional terroir and climate and spreads out on hillsides overlooking the Alsace plain over 67 communes and flowery villages. Visitors can venture into the heart of the vineyard thanks to several wine trails. With its hundreds of wine estates and fifty or so grands crus, the Alsace Wine Route remains the most attractive in France! In addition, Colmar is an ideal base camp for visiting the Ballons des Vosges Regional Nature Park or taking an excursion to our European neighbors. Charming accommodations, a friendly welcome and Alsatian gastronomy add to the joy of discovery
Traditional and gourmet Christmas markets
It is said that the Christmas market is magical and we will not contradict these beautiful words. When the holiday season arrives, the city of Bartholdi is adorned with magic with sublime decorations and illuminations. From the last days of November, a special atmosphere bathes the streets and alleys of Colmar, which shine with a thousand lights on the occasion of the end of year celebrations! At nightfall, a subtle play of lights underlines the architecture of the old town of Colmar to better immerse you in the heart of a real fairy tale. Thus staged, the pretty city of Colmar is transformed into a Christmas country truer than the legend where it is pleasant to stroll while smelling delicious spicy smells. The succession of decorated houses leads the stroller along the streets, to the discovery of the six traditional Christmas markets set up in Place des Dominicains, Place Jeanne d'Arc, Place de l'Ancienne Douane, in Koïffhus, in the heart of Little Venice and, finally, in Place de la Cathédrale for a gourmet Christmas market that will bring together the whole family. And, everywhere, wooden houses with stalls full of treasures are lined up! The eyes shine in front of jewelry, decorative objects, books and antiques. The festive shopping is punctuated by gourmet stops where you can taste mulled wine, roasted chestnuts, pretzels au gratin and other specialities with a hint of cinnamon and spices. A simply enchanting experience that should be discovered at least once in a lifetime, without wasting your time! Of course, many animations take place throughout Advent
A magical ice rink
What could be more magical than enjoying an open-air skating rink to the sound of Christmas carols? If you like to skate, take advantage of this animation set up every year on the Place Rapp: nestled in the heart of a magical decor, an 800 m2 ice rink invites you to share the joys of sliding with your family or friends. The tradition of this installation goes back a long way, when city employees poured water so that the frost would turn it into ice. This year, various highlights are planned from the end of November to the end of December, such as the discovery of ice hockey or skating, fluorescent evening, snowstorm atmosphere, etc... An enchanting place for young and old, especially at the end of the day when this ephemeral ice rink is adorned with a thousand and one illuminations!
Smart info
When to go? You can obviously go to Colmar all year round. But to enjoy the magic of Christmas, go to the Alsatian city during the Advent period. The Christmas markets and the ice rink are open from November 24 to December 29, 2022.
How to get there. By plane (Strasbourg airport and EuroAirport), by train (TGV to Strasbourg or Colmar, or TER from Strasbourg) or by car (525 km from Paris), everything is possible.
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Useful. To best prepare your Alsatian escapade at Christmas.
OFFICE DE TOURISME DE COLMAR ET SA REGION - More information on the website
COLMAR, THE MAGIC OF CHRISTMAS - More information on the website
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