8 BEST Things to Do in Colmar, France
One place that should be on your bucket list is Colmar, France. This lovely French town borders Germany and is everything that you would hope to find in a storybook village: pedestrian-friendly cobblestone streets, colorful half-timbered houses, and picturesque canals. There are so many things to do in Colmar, France that you will want to make sure you plan your time there wisely.
This is a place straight out of a storybook (think Beauty and the Beast) and is one of the most well-preserved Medieval towns in Europe.
This should be on your bucket list if you are looking for some amazing places to see while touring France.
You will have no trouble navigating the town on your own on foot, which is the best way to see it.
BEST Things to Do in Colmar, France
When visiting Colmar, you should spend time taking in the beautiful architecture as you stroll through town, visit museums that will give you a different perspective on the history of this part of France, and enjoy one of the most popular wine regions in all of Europe.
1. See the Statue of Liberty Replica
If you are from the United States, one landmark you know is the Statue of Liberty.
The creator of the Statue of Liberty, Frédéric Bartholdi, happens to be from Colmar and it is one of the few places in France (one is in Nice) where you will find a replica of the Statue of Liberty.
Unlike others, like in Monaco, the one in Colmar is large and sits right in the center of a roundabout.
2. Visit The Unterlinden Museum
When you approach this museum, you may feel like you are stepping on hallowed ground.
That is because this is a former Dominican convent.
Built during the 13th century, the exterior is the same as it was then with a preserved cloister and well from which they once got water.
You will be impressed by the collection inside The Unterlinden Museum.
The first floor contains Alsatian toys and decorations while the higher floors focus more on sculpture and art from the Romans through to the Impressionists.
One item to make sure you see is the altarpiece of Issenheim that features St. Anthony.
3. See the Customs House
One of the most historic buildings in Colmar is its Customs House.
Dating back to the 15th century, this building was used as a warehouse for both imported and exported goods
4. Admire Little Venice
You won’t want to leave town without seeing “Little Venice.”
It is easy to see how it got its name. The half-timbered buildings sit along the edge of the Lauch River canal.
You will see small boats carrying tourists under bridges, just like in Venice, Italy.
It truly is picturesque and a lovely spot to take photos and enjoy some people-watching!
5. Walk along the Quai de la Poissonnerie
The best place to do people-watching is along the Quai de la Poissonnerie.
This section of town once served as the home to fishermen because of its location.
Today, it is a walkway where both locals and tourists enjoy strolling and taking in the beautiful views.
6. Visit St. Martin’s Church
This church is a beautiful example of Gothic architecture.
Built during the 13th century, it is typical of Gothic churches of that time with its intricately detailed spires and stained glass windows.
7. Manneken Pis de Colmar
If you’ve ever been to Brussels, you have no doubt seen the original Manneken Pis.
This one was a gift from Brussels to celebrate the anniversary of the Liberation of Colmar.
The only difference between this and the original is that the Alsatian one is not a fountain.
8. Taste the Wine in Alsace
One of the most popular things to do in Alsace is to taste the local wine(s).
Colmar sits right along the popular Alsace vin de route (Wine Route).
The wines from the Alsace region are predominantly white and feature seven different grape varieties: Reisling, Muscato, Pinot Blanc, Sylvaner, Pinot Gris, Gewurtztraminer, and Pinot Noir.
If you love wine and are visiting Alsace, you really should consider a wine-tasting tour in Colmar.
A trip to Colmar is magical. It’s really as close as you can get to going back in time. It truly is one of the best destinations in France.
If you get a chance to spend some time here, we hope that you will consider doing some of the things we’ve mentioned in this post.
Have you visited Colmar? What were your favorite things to do in Colmar, France?
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