Amazing city of Colmar, France. Colmar
The city of Colmar in France is rightfully famous as one of the most cozy corners of old Europe. Located in the northeast of the country in the province of Alsace, the city changed owners more than once during the 7th centuries of its existence, moving from the French to the Germans and back. In 1918, Colmar finally became part of France. At one time, Voltaire said that this city is “half French, half German.”
Walking through the quiet, calm streets of Colmar, you get the feeling of being lost in time. Half-timbered houses immersed in the greenery of ivy and grapes, the spiers and towers of Gothic cathedrals, the blue lines of canals in “Little Venice” - everything around is saturated with the aroma of the Middle Ages. The interweaving of eras and styles makes the town unusually attractive to tourists who wander in crowds along the narrow streets, looking at the quaint fairy-tale houses, sculptures and signs, taking beautiful photos as souvenirs.
See with my own eyes
Once in France and in Alsace, it is worth making a short trip from Strasbourg to Colmar to see this fabulous town with your own eyes and stroll through its narrow streets, enjoying the architectural creations of the masters of the German Renaissance.
Expert opinion
Knyazeva Victoria
Guide to Paris and France
Ask a question to an expertThere are few attractions in Colmar, but all of them are of interest to an inquisitive tourist passionate about history.
IN The building of the Dominican monastery houses the main city museum Unterlinden, whose collection includes paintings, engravings, weapons and antique furniture from different eras. The pride of the museum is the Izengi Altar by Matthias Grunewald, which is a masterpiece of world significance.
Colmar. France.
Colmar is a city in Alsace, administrative center of the Haut-Rhin department.
Colmar was founded in the 9th century.
In 1226, Emperor Frederick II granted Colmar the status of a free imperial city, which meant that citizens reported directly to the emperor.
In 1354 the city joined the union of ten cities of Decapolis.
In 1575 Colmar accepted the Protestant Reformation. During the brutal and bloody Thirty Years' War, the city was captured by the Swedish army for two years.
In 1673, Colmar was occupied by the troops of the French king Louis XIV and in 1679 it was annexed to France under the Treaty of Nimwegen.
In 1871, the German Empire annexed Colmar as a result of the Franco-Prussian War. The city returned to France after the First World War in 1919.
In 1940, Colmar was again in the hands of Germany and returned to France in 1945.
Colmar is perhaps the most beautiful city in Alsace, its historical center is well preserved and represents a picturesque and complete urban ensemble, so beloved by tourists from different countries.
Our Colmar route starts from Av. De la Republique, if you come by car, then parking is located on a parallel street - rue Hertrich.
From here we will walk along the avenue to Kleber Street. Here is located Unterlinden Museum. The name of the museum comes from the monastery in which the museum is located. The monastery was founded in 1230 by two widows who retired with their children and servants to the outskirts of Colmar to found a religious community. “Unterlinden” is translated from German as “under the linden trees,” when there were many linden trees growing here.
The main attraction of the museum is the Isenheim Altar, dating back to 1515.
Also of interest in the museum will be a collection of paintings by Picasso, Léger, and Vasarely. (1, rue d'Unterlinden, musee-unterlinden.com)
Next, turn right onto Teth Street.
The city has preserved many buildings erected in different eras. On Teth Street at number 19 is located House of Heads (Kopfhaus, Maison des Tetes). This is one of the most beautiful houses in Alsace, it was built at the beginning of the 17th century. in the style of the Rhenish Renaissance. Its façade is decorated with sculptures of 105 heads and figures. Previously, there was a wine exchange here, so in 1902 a bronze figure of a cooper by Bartholdi was installed on the building.
Currently, the house houses an expensive hotel with one of the best restaurants.
Let's walk along Rue Boulanger, Place Ecole and turn onto Rue Berthe Molly.
At the very beginning of the street there is an interesting house, which in the 18th century. belonged to the noble family Goll. From 1753 to 1754 Voltaire rented two rooms here when he visited Colmar at the invitation of Frederick II. A wooden gallery dating from 1598 has also been preserved.
Let's continue the path further, turn left onto Grand Rue. It's not far from here "Little Venice" quarter - the most picturesque part of Colmar. The names of the restaurants - "Gondola", "Venice" - will tell you that we are on the right track.
"Little Venice"
"Little Venice" starts from the square of the “six black roads” (Pl. De Six Montagnes Noires). The embankment of the Lauch River is surrounded by colorful half-timbered houses surrounded by flowers.
This was once the poorest fishermen's quarter. The right bank of the river preserved the memory of this in its name - Fish Embankment (Quai de la Poissonnerie). There are expensive fish shops and restaurants serving traditional Alsatian cuisine.
"Little Venice" Colmar. France.
Nearby is the Museum of Natural History and Ethnography, founded in 1859.
As well as a covered market, built in 1865 in the neo-Baroque style.
"Little Venice" and covered market.
Behind the market we'll turn to Rue des Tanneurs which will lead to Kopfhaus – old customs house, built in 1480 in the Gothic style. Let's pay attention to the original Pfister's house (Maison Pfister), built in 1537
Colmar. France.
Let's turn to Grand Rue and let's continue on our way.
Colmar. France.
On the left side we will see a towering The colossal cathedral is the main church of Colmar. Its construction began in 1235 and lasted 130 years. The grandiose building reaches 70 meters in height. In the final version, the church was supposed to have a second tower, but the project was not implemented. The interior of the church was badly damaged during the French Revolution.
After visiting the cathedral we will go out to rue des Clefs, along which there are shops. In addition, here which is located Town Hall (Hotel de ville), erected in 1790 on the site of an older building.
Town Hall. Colmar. France.
Rue des Clefs leads to Kleber Street, where our route began.
But before we complete the route, let’s take a look Dominican Cathedral, located on Place de Dominicains, whose profile is visible from here.
The cathedral houses Martin Schongauer's painting "Madonna in the Arbor of Roses", painted in 1473 for the Church of St. Martin. The picture had a difficult fate. In the 18th century, the upper part of the canvas was cut off and stolen. In 1912, the Madonna was placed in an ornate protective case, which did not protect the painting from theft in 1972. It was found a year later in Lyon and placed in the Dominican Church, which was turned into a museum of one painting.
Colmar is a beautiful small city in the north-eastern part of France. It is the hometown of famous painter and engraver Martin Schongoer and sculptor Frederic Bartholdi, who designed the famous Statue of Liberty. Some say that Colmar is the most beautiful city in Europe and it is difficult to argue with this opinion
Colmar is a picturesque Alsatian city, with beautifully preserved ancient quarters that immerse you in the Middle Ages. The city has a huge number of amazingly beautiful buildings that were built in the Middle Ages and the Renaissance.
Despite the fact that the city is quite small, it looks like a large open-air museum. However, it is the third city in Alsace in terms of size, as well as in terms of population. 
Here you can see any of the architectural styles, from Gothic to postmodernism. There is also a special climate that makes the city the driest in all of France.
The city hosts many important events and festivals, a jazz festival, a wine festival, a film festival and many other interesting events that attract tourists from all over the world. Tourists also enjoy visiting 5 city museums and the exhibition complex
If you decide to visit France, do not forget that you need to renew or renew your passport in advance, as this usually takes some time. By taking care of the registration in advance, you can avoid many problems and feel comfortable before traveling to France. If you don’t want to waste time on your own, contact specialists from
Colmar (France) - the most detailed information about the city with photos. The main attractions of Colmar with descriptions, guides and maps.
City of Colmar (France)
Colmar is a charming city in northeastern France in the province of Alsace, Haute-Rhin department. Known for its ancient half-timbered houses along the canals, wines and as the birthplace of Auguste Bartholdi, creator of the famous Statue of Liberty. Colmar is one of the most picturesque and photogenic cities in Alsace, which has well preserved its cultural and architectural heritage.
All of Colmar's attractions are located in its old town, which has survived surprisingly well despite the world wars. The historical city center is quite large, but it is still easy to explore on foot. A walk through the old streets of Colmar, believe me, will give you real pleasure.
Geography and climate
Colmar is located on a plain on the banks of the Loches River at the foot of the Vosges Mountains, a few tens of kilometers from the Rhine and the border with Germany. In fact, the Alsace plains are separated by the Vosges and the Black Forest. The city is conveniently located between Strasbourg and Basel.
Colmar has a relatively mild temperate continental climate with relatively dry weather, which is very good for the famous wines of Alsace. The average rainfall throughout the year is about 600 mm, the bulk of which occurs between June and September. Temperatures in summer are about 24 degrees, and from December to February only about 5 degrees with frosts most common in January. Snow is also possible at this time.
Practical information
- Population - 70.3 thousand people.
- Area - 66.6 square kilometers.
- Language - French.
- Currency - euro.
- Visa - Schengen.
- Time - Central European UTC +1, summer +2.
Best time to visit
Colmar can be visited all year round. But the most magical time is the period before Christmas, when the city acquires a simply magical charm.
Story
Colmar was first mentioned in the 9th century. In the 13th century it received the status of a free city within the Holy Roman Empire. Due to its border location, the city was repeatedly under German rule and experienced strong German influence. In the 14th century, Colmar joins the union of ten cities. Due to its location, it developed rapidly during the late Middle Ages and the Renaissance.
Colmar suffered greatly during the Reformation, the subsequent Peasants' Wars and the Thirty Years' War. According to the Treaty of Nymwegen, the city is part of France. In 1871, Colmar became part of the German Empire. After the First World War the city again became French. During World War II, Colmar was one of the last French cities to be liberated. The city has preserved a rich architectural and cultural heritage, including a former monastery church, several monasteries, a wonderful theater, canals (for which Colmar is called "Little Venice") and beautiful houses from the Middle Ages.
How to get there
Colmar is approximately 60 kilometers south of Strasbourg Airport. Basel Airport is also close. Colmar has regular train connections with these two cities, as well as with Freiburg. Trains run every hour. The city has good road accessibility from both France, Germany and Switzerland.
Shopping and purchases
In the historical center of Colmar you can find a wide variety of shops. It is believed that it is quite profitable to buy clothes and shoes here. Since prices here are lower than in neighboring Germany, Switzerland and even Strasbourg. The typical Alsatian pottery is noteworthy.
Food and drink
Alsace is famous for its pastries and wines. Local dishes worth trying include Kugelhopf (pie), Tarte flambée (Alsatian pizza with sour cream), choucroute (sauerkraut), pretzels and Choucroute aux Poissons (fish dish).
Many people call Colmar the wine capital of Alsace, so the wine here is definitely worth trying or buying as a souvenir. During the Christmas holidays, you can drink orange juice with honey and spices, as well as spicy hot wine (mulled wine).
Attractions
The old town is the main attraction of Colmar. Wandering the old streets is the best way to explore it. In the historical center you can find many ancient buildings from the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. Its highlight is its beautiful half-timbered buildings. On the streets of Colmar you can find almost all architectural styles from Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, Rococo, Classicism to Empire, Eclecticism, Art Nouveau. The historical center is an open-air architectural museum.
"Little Venice" is an area of Colmar with picturesque houses near the water. Located just outside Coifhus.
Boat trips around "Little Venice" 
The Fish Quarter is a historical area where fishermen and fish merchants lived. The area is located between the center and "Little Venice". In 1706, a strong fire destroyed about 40 houses, which were restored in the 80s of the 20th century.
The Dominican Church is a medieval church of the Dominican Order. Its foundation dates back to the 13th century. Exhibitions and fairs are often held on the square.
Saint Martin Saint-Martin is the main religious building of Colmar, one of the main masterpieces of Gothic architecture in Alsace. The church was built between 1235 and 1365. The latest restoration revealed that Saint-Martin was built on the foundations of an ancient building from the 11th-12th century. The inhabitants of Colmar consider the church to be their Munster, but at the moment Saint-Martin has the status of a monastery church.
The Pfister is one of the oldest and most beautiful buildings in Colmar, with paintings and wooden elements, built in 1537 by a silver merchant. Despite its clearly medieval features, it is the first example of architectural renaissance in Colmar. A wooden gallery, an octagonal tower and wall paintings depicting biblical and secular scenes have turned this house into one of the symbols of the city.
Coifhus or the old customs house is a 15th century building located at the intersection of the main routes of the medieval city. Coifhus is the oldest public building in Colmar. It served a dual function: the first floor served as a warehouse and a place for collecting taxes on goods, the second was a meeting place for city authorities.
The House of the Heads (heads) is an interesting building in the German Renaissance style from the early 17th century. The house owes its name to the one hundred and six heads and masks that decorate its façade.
Don't think that if locals call the city of Colmar, located in the north-east of France, a real jewel in the crown of Alsace, then they are in the least bit deceitful. This small provincial town is truly extraordinarily beautiful and original, even against the backdrop of Alsace, rich in historical and architectural monuments.
A visitor who comes to Colmar for the first time sometimes feels as if he has found himself outside of reality, in some kind of fairy-tale studio settlement, specially created for the filming of a spectacular film about medieval European life. Indeed, the old half-timbered houses, carefully preserved by the inhabitants of Colmar, entwined with green ivy and grapes, the pointed spiers of Gothic churches, the rounded narrow streets lined with paving stones, and the blue waters of the canals of the “Little Venice” area - all this seems too beautiful to be real.
However, this is true, Colmar is truly beautiful and, most importantly, beautiful with its natural historical beauty. Despite its small size (the city has only about 80 thousand inhabitants), one cannot dare to call Colmar a provincial town: its streets are full of active cultural life. It is not for nothing that the famous Russian violinist and world-famous conductor Vladimir Spivakov regularly organizes international music festivals here, which have become one of the calling cards of Colmar.
History of Colmar
The very fact that Colmar is located in the historical region of Alsace, directly bordering Germany, speaks of its difficult past. The very first documentary mentions of Colmar date back to 823, in which the Frankish Emperor Louis the Pious talks about a town called Columbarium, which can be translated into Russian as “dovecote”. And although this name indirectly indicates the presence of Roman roots in the origin of the city, no other evidence of the date of its foundation has yet been found.
Already at the end of the 9th century, Colmar came into the possession of Louis the German, one of the sons of the Frankish emperor, ruling in the lands of future Germany. After some time, Colmar became part of the formed Holy Roman Empire, and already in the 13th century it received the status of an independent city of the empire, free from the arbitrariness of local feudal lords, and a little later from the authority of the Bishop of Strasbourg. In 1278, the citizens of Colmar received their own constitution, declaring their rights and responsibilities to the community.
Having become part of the union of 10 independent Alsatian cities in 1354, power in the municipal council of Colmar practically passed from the hands of the nobles to the townspeople of humble families. With the emergence of the ideas of the Reformation in Europe in the 16th century, Colmar became one of the influential centers for the spread of new religious trends, and in 1575 it was declared a Protestant city. After the end of the Dutch War, as a result of the Nimwegen peace treaties, Colmar became a French city. In 1871, after France was defeated in the war with Prussia, Alsace, along with Colmar, ceded to Germany. Jurisdiction of the French Republic over Colmar was only restored in 1918.
Traveling the streets of Colmar
Reviewing the difficult history of Colmar, it is not surprising that among its attractions and cultural heritage left by glorious ancestors, such a significant place belongs to the works of the masters of the German Renaissance.
Unterlinden Museum
This is where we begin our overview of the sights of Colmar. It should be said that this museum, displaying unique works of medieval art, is one of the most visited cultural institutions located in provincial France. Every year, almost 400 thousand tourists from all over the world get acquainted with his expeditions, located in the building of the former Dominican monastery.
Most of all, visitors are interested in the works of Martin Schongauer, Lucas Cranach the Elder, Hans Holbein the Elder and other equally venerable representatives of the Renaissance. No less magnificent are the collections of Rhenish sculpture, as well as altar paintings, for which the Unterlinden Museum is famous. The real pearl of the museum collection is the famous Isenheim Altar, created in the 16th century by the German artist Matthias Grunewald, who worked in the Northern Gothic style.
The courtyard of the former Dominican monastery, decorated with a sculpture by the famous artist Martin Schongauer, a native of Colmar, is filled with calm and serenity.
"House of Heads" (Maison des Tetes)
Leaving the Unterlinden Museum and turning onto Rue des Tetes, you will see the facades of old houses of amazing beauty. One of them, numbered 19, is a special landmark of Colmar, and has the unusual name “House of Heads”. The original building was erected back in 1609 by order of one of the rich nobles of the city. The fame of the most beautiful building in all of Alsace, as well as the unusual name of the house, was brought by the intricately designed facade, containing more than a hundred sculptures of masks, heads and figures of people and mythological animals.
Moreover, the images are located everywhere: above the entrance doors, window openings, balcony railings, and one figure, personifying the local master cooper, crowns the top of the building’s pediment. Nowadays, the “House of Heads” houses a fashionable hotel with an excellent restaurant located in the courtyard, famous for its excellent cuisine.
Dominican Church
Having passed Rue des Tetes and turning onto bakers' street (Rue des Boulangers), you will come to the square in front of Dominican Church, which is famous for the famous painting by Schongauer “Madonna in the Arbor of Roses” stored in it. Martin Schongauer, a member of the famous Dutch school of painters, practically never left his native Colmar throughout his life.
He himself belonged to a family of city jewelers, and for his filigree manner of writing out details in his paintings, the residents of Colmar dubbed Schongauer with the nickname “Beautiful Martin”. It is noteworthy that even the famous German graphic artist Albrecht Durer dreamed of taking lessons from the great Schongauer. The very history of the painting “Madonna in the Arbor of Roses”, painted by Schongauer in 1473 specifically to decorate the Gothic Church of St. Martina in Colmar is truly dramatic.
Four centuries later, the painting was barbarously cut out of the frame that crowned it, and the most important details that made up the integrity of the composition were removed from it. At the beginning of the twentieth century, the painting was placed in a protective case, decorated with rich carvings, which was designed to protect it from external adverse influences. However, in 1972, the painting was again stolen by unknown persons. After the discovery of the loss, it was decided not to return the “Madonna in the Arbor of Roses” to the Church of St. Martin, but to send it for storage to the Dominican Church, where the museum is now located.
Church of St. Martin (Collegiale St-Martin)
This religious building is located just a few steps from the Dominican Church. Until now, the residents of Colmar call the Church of St. Martin the Cathedral, although the bishop lived in it for only a short period in the history of the city. For people who appreciate the grace and airiness of Gothic cathedrals, this church may seem a little austere due to the lack of sculptural decoration on its exterior. However, there is something fascinating in its appearance: the lower half of the church, erected at the very beginning of the 12th century, is represented by a typical Romanesque architectural style, and the upper part, built on a century later, is already light Gothic.
If you walk around the church, you will notice that its western side with three portals is strikingly reminiscent of the structure of the famous Strasbourg Cathedral. At the same time, the central of the portals is divided into two parts: one of which is decorated with a sculptural composition personifying the Last Judgment, and the other with the figures of three worshiping wise men. At the top of the portal is St. Martin himself, sharing some of his clothing with a freezing beggar.
House-Museum of Frederic-Auguste Bartholdi
On the Rue de Marchands, located near the Church of St. Martin, there is a beautiful building belonging to the late Gothic era. Local legend says that Schongauer himself once lived there, which is why the house is often called Maison Schongauer, that is, “Schongauer’s House.” Whether this is true or not, scientists cannot say, but they are quite sure that another of their great compatriots lived in the building located next to Maison Schongauer - sculptor Frederic-Auguste Bartholdi. Now it houses a museum named after him.
It is interesting that the name of this great son of the French people is not very well known to the general public. However, one of his works is probably known to most civilized people. We are talking about the famous Statue of Liberty, located in the New York harbor and is a symbol of the United States. It should be said that the creation of a sculptural image, symbolizing radiant Freedom, illuminating the entire world around us, was conceived as a joint effort in which the Europeans were tasked with creating the statue, and the inhabitants of the New World - its pedestal. As you can see, Frederic-Auguste Bartholdi coped with the task with honor, creating the most famous symbol of democratic ideas and freedoms in the world.
Rest assured, Colmar has a lot to see, a place to relax and a lot to think about in the shadow of centuries-old ancient streets that have heard the footsteps of many famous people of their time.
