Visiting Colmar felt like stepping straight into a storybook — a small French town that seemed too picturesque to be real. Nestled in the Alsace region of northeastern France, Colmar enchanted us with its half-timbered houses painted in pastel hues, canals lined with blooming flowers, and cobblestone streets that wound through centuries of history. Often called the “Little Venice” of France, this town traces its roots back to the 9th century and has long been shaped by both French and German influences, creating a fascinating cultural blend visible in its architecture, language, and cuisine.
We traveled to Colmar from Strasbourg, just 64 kilometers to the north, making it an easy and scenic train or car journey. Paris is about a few hours away by high-speed train, and its proximity to Germany and Basel, Switzerland, adds an international flavor to the experience — you could easily cross borders in less than an hour. Once there, we spent two days exploring and found it to be the perfect amount of time to soak in its charm without rushing. The old town’s highlight was wandering through La Petite Venise, where you can take a short boat ride through the narrow canals, admiring the reflections of colorful homes that seemed lifted from a painting.
Colmar’s history comes alive through landmarks like the Maison Pfister, an ornately decorated Renaissance house, and the impressive Unterlinden Museum, home to the famous Isenheim Altarpiece. We also visited the Saint-Martin Collegiate Church and lingered in quaint squares filled with cafés serving Alsatian specialties like tarte flambée and choucroute. The town’s deep connection to wine is another delight — Colmar sits at the heart of the Alsace Wine Route, and we enjoyed tasting crisp Rieslings and Gewürztraminers from nearby vineyards.
Each season in Colmar has its charm, but our favorite times were summer and winter. In summer, the town bursts with flowers, outdoor dining, and lively markets, creating a warm and romantic atmosphere. Winter, however, transforms Colmar into a fairy-tale wonderland. Its Christmas market, one of the most beautiful in Europe, fills the streets with twinkling lights, the scent of mulled wine, and handmade crafts that radiate festive spirit. Whether visited under the summer sun or winter snow, Colmar remains one of the most magical and unforgettable places we have ever explored — a true gem of Alsace.