Colmar, Alsace — Éco-Hôtels & Travel Guide

Pourquoi Séjourner à Colmar

Colmar is the capital of Alsatian wine country and one of the most beautifully preserved medieval towns in all of France. Wander through the old town and you'll find yourself transported into a storybook world of cobblestone lanes, half-timbered houses painted in pastel pinks, blues, and yellows, and narrow canals lined with flower boxes that give the city its nickname — Little Venice.

Unlike the larger Alsatian cities, Colmar's historic core feels intimate and walkable, with every corner revealing another photogenic square or tucked-away courtyard. The city is the birthplace of Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi, the sculptor of New York's Statue of Liberty, and it houses the magnificent Unterlinden Museum, home to Matthias Grünewald's Isenheim Altarpiece, one of the great masterpieces of Renaissance art.

Colmar sits at the northern gateway of the Route des Vins d'Alsace, the 170-kilometre wine route that snakes through the Vosges foothills past some of the most famous vineyards in France. Whether you come for the architecture, the wine, the Christmas markets, or simply the unhurried charm of Alsatian life, Colmar delivers a travel experience that feels authentic and genuinely special.

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Profiter au Maximum de Your Colmar Visit

Colmar is easy to reach and even easier to explore once you arrive. The city's train station connects to Strasbourg (70 km north) in just 30 minutes via the TER Grand Est, and to Basel (60 km south) and Mulhouse (40 km south-west) on the same line. EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg is an international gateway just 60 km away, while Freiburg im Breisgau in Germany is only 40 km to the east across the Rhine.

Once you arrive, the best way to experience Colmar is on foot. The old town is compact and largely pedestrianised. Start at the Ancienne Douane (old customs house), work your way through the Quartier des Tanneurs to Petite Venise, then loop back through the Place de la Cathédrale past the Maison Pfister and the Koïfhus. Allow a full day just for the old town and another day for the Unterlinden Museum.

Cycling is a brilliant way to explore the surrounding wine villages. The flat Alsace plain makes for easy riding, and dedicated cycle paths connect Colmar to Eguisheim (5 km), Kaysersberg (12 km), and Riquewihr (15 km). Bike rentals are available from several shops near the train station. For a longer excursion, the Route des Vins road route through the hills is spectacular in autumn when the vines turn gold and russet.

Où Séjourner in Colmar

Old Town (Historic Centre)

The heart of Colmar, inside the ring of former city walls. Staying here puts you steps from every major sight: Saint-Martin Church, the Koïfhus, Maison Pfister, and the Unterlinden Museum. Most hotels in this area occupy beautifully restored historic buildings. Expect charming interiors, exposed beams, and the occasional creaky staircase — that's part of the appeal.

Little Venice (Petite Venise)

The most photogenic quarter of Colmar, where the Lauch River cuts through a neighbourhood of tanners' houses and flower-laden bridges. Hotels here offer canal views and the sound of running water. This area is quieter at night than the town centre but still just a five-minute stroll from the main squares.

Train Station District

Modern hotels cluster around the railway station, convenient for travellers arriving by train or flying into EuroAirport. The walk to the old town takes about ten minutes along a straight, tree-lined avenue. This area offers larger, more standard rooms at slightly lower prices than the historic centre.

Eguisheim Wine Village

Just 6 km south-west of Colmar, Eguisheim is one of the most beautiful villages in France. If you prefer a quiet wine-country base with vineyards at your doorstep, Eguisheim is an excellent alternative to staying in the city. A regular bus service connects it to Colmar's train station.

Éco-Hôtels à Colmar

Que Faire à Colmar

Little Venice (Petite Venise)

The most picturesque quarter of Colmar, where the Lauch River is lined with half-timbered houses dating back to the 14th century. The tanners and fishermen once worked here, using the open canal to process leather. Today, it's the most photographed part of the city. Take a flat-bottomed boat tour from the Quai de la Poissonnerie for a thirty-minute glide past the colourful facades.

Unterlinden Museum

Housed in a 13th-century Dominican convent, the Unterlinden Museum is Colmar's cultural crown jewel. Its centrepiece is Matthias Grünewald's Isenheim Altarpiece, a polyptych of staggering emotional power painted around 1515. The museum also holds an exceptional collection of Upper Rhenish art, medieval sculpture, and modern works. Allow at least two hours.

Maison Pfister

Built in 1537, Maison Pfister is one of the most recognisable buildings in Colmar. Its two-storey oriel window, wooden gallery, and eight-sided turret are textbook examples of Alsatian Renaissance architecture. It stands on Rue des Marchands and is one of the city's most photographed structures.

Saint-Martin Church (Collégiale Saint-Martin)

The principal Catholic church of Colmar was built between 1234 and 1365 in a striking Góthique rayonnant style. Its spire rises 71 metres above the old town and its interior is notable for the St Nicholas Altar, the 15th-century stained-glass windows, and the carved choir stalls. Free entry.

Koïfhus (Ancienne Douane)

The old customs house dates from 1480 and served as the commercial heart of medieval Colmar, where merchants paid duties on goods traded in the city. It is one of the finest civic Gothic buildings in Alsace and today houses the city's tourist office. The surrounding square hosts the main Christmas market in winter.

Bartholdi Museum

Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi, the sculptor of the Statue of Liberty, was born in Colmar, and his family home at 30 Rue des Marchands is now a museum dedicated to his work. The museum holds plaster models, drawings, and sculptures spanning his career, including studies for the Statue of Liberty and the Lion of Belfort.

Route des Vins d'Alsace

The Alsace Wine Route begins in the hills just west of Colmar and stretches 170 km north to Marlenheim. Colmar is the perfect starting point for a self-drive or cycle tour of the vineyards. The route passes through picture-perfect villages including Eguisheim, Riquewihr, and Kaysersberg. Alsace is one of the few French wine regions where grape varieties are labelled on bottles — Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris, and Pinot Noir.

Colmar Christmas Markets

From late November to Christmas Eve, Colmar transforms into a winter wonderland with five distinct Christmas markets spread across the old town. The main market at Place de l'Ancienne Douane features a giant Christmas tree, a skating rink, and over 60 wooden chalets selling Alsatian handicrafts, mulled wine, and bredele biscuits. The Petite Venise market along the canal is especially magical after dark.

Recommended Randonnées in & Around Colmar

Old Town Circuit: Start at the Koïfhus on Place de l'Ancienne Douane, head east past Maison Pfister on Rue des Marchands, loop past Saint-Martin Church, continue through the Quartier des Tanneurs with its tall, narrow tanners' houses, and finish along the canal in Petite Venise. Allow at least an hour with stops for photos.

Little Venice Canal Walk: The most relaxed walk in Colmar follows the Lauch River from the Quai de la Poissonnerie past the covered bridge at Rue de Turenne and south through the Krutenau quarter. The reflections of the half-timbered houses in the still water are unforgettable.

Colmar to Eguisheim Cycle: Hop on a bike and follow the cycle path south-west out of Colmar towards Eguisheim, a perfectly circular medieval village ringed by vineyards. The 5 km route is entirely flat and takes you through Riesling and Gewurztraminer vineyards. In Eguisheim, visit the 13th-century Château Saint-Léon and the Grand Cru Eichberg vineyard.

Nearby Cities

Questions Fréquentes

Is Colmar expensive to visit?

Colmar is moderately priced compared to major European cities. Accommodation in the old town is in demand, especially during the Christmas market season when prices rise significantly. Visiting in spring or autumn offers better value. With IMPT, you get the same prices as Booking.com plus EUR5 free credit and 5% cashback in IMPT tokens on eco-certified hotels.

How many days do I need in Colmar?

Two to three days is ideal. One day for the old town and Unterlinden Museum, a second for a wine route excursion to Eguisheim and Riquewihr, and a third for a day trip to Strasbourg or Château du Haut-Kœnigsbourg.

What language is spoken in Colmar?

French is the official language, though Alsatian (a Germanic dialect) is still spoken by older generations. English is widely understood in hotels, restaurants, and tourist attractions.

Is Colmar walkable?

Very. The old town is compact and mostly pedestrianised. Almost every landmark is within a 15-minute walk of the train station. For the wine villages, you'll need a car, bike, or bus.

What is the Alsace Wine Route?

The Route des Vins d'Alsace is a 170 km tourist route through the vineyards of the Vosges foothills, linking dozens of wine-producing villages from Marlenheim to Thann. Colmar sits at its northern gateway. The route is marked by brown signposts and can be driven, cycled, or walked in sections.