Welcome in Colmar!
Mid-way between Strasbourg and Basle and situated between the Vosges and the Rhine, Colmar is the perfect example of the culture and joie de vivre which typify Alsace: picturesque, attractive and surrounded by some of Alsace’s most beautiful vineyards. While you are there, there are three places you really shouldn’t miss.
The city’s greatest source of pride is its Unterlinden Museum. This former convent houses a collection of paintings and sculptures which are mainly medieval, but also includes furniture and other ancient artefacts. The star item in the museum is undoubtedly the Isenheim Altarpiece, which was painted in the 16th century by Matthias Grünewald.
Around the church of Saint-Martin, come and admire the impressive guildhalls, which date back to the Middle Ages and Renaissance. Finally, there is the Quartier des Tanneurs (tanners' quarter), nicknamed Petite Venise (Little Venice), which is enjoyed by people strolling through and admiring the pretty, half-timbered houses on the banks of the Lauch, which are colourful and decked with flowers.
When nightfall comes, Colmar is lit up through 900 computer-guided points of light, which gives you a completely different way of looking at the city. And this happens every day of the year!
Wine lovers will be interested to know that every summer, Colmar holds the Alsace Wine Fair, which is one of the region’s most popular wine fairs. Cheers!