This is truly what you come to Colmar to see. Walking through La Petite Venise feels like stepping…read morestraight onto a movie set, with historic canals reflecting rows of pastel-hued, medieval half-timbered houses. A few highlights you shouldn't miss while exploring: Pont de l'Abreuvoir (Petite Venise Bridge): The ultimate postcard photo op. Stand on the bridge looking down the canal framed by vibrant flower boxes, drifting flat-bottom boats, and storybook facades. Quai de la Poissonnerie: The iconic fishmonger district. It winds behind the Koïfhus down toward Saint-Pierre, lined on both sides with brightly painted traditional timbered homes right up against the water. Rue de Turenne & Place des 6 Montagnes Noires: Follow the street just beyond the canal to see classic Alsatian architecture and Bartholdi's historic Roesselmann Fountain. Keep an eye out for the spots and village fountains that served as visual inspiration for Disney's Beauty and the Beast. Plan for at least half a day to wander the alleys without rushing. If you can swing it, stay overnight--the crowds thin out in the evening, the lanterns reflect off the water, and you get to savor the hearty local Alsatian cuisine and wines at a relaxed pace. Absolute 5-star experience!

Venice Italy is still 300 miles away and it doesn't really resemble Venice much other than the…read morecourse of the Lauch River (that feeds into the Ill). It is the picture postcard district of Colmar with restored timber homes and flowers and yes, lots of tourists all seeking that perfect selfie or Insta photo. Once you've seen it, you've seen it. From the marker, "The bridge over the Lauch marks the start of the Krutenau, a community united around the memory of Martin Stockmeyer: this boatman, nicknamed the 'Hercules of Colmar', was in February 1791 responsible for the victory of the Revolution in the face of an uprising of the aristocratic party. The road owes its current name to the marshal Turenne, who used it in 1674 for his solemn entry at the head of 800 cavalrymen. The picturesque line of old houses, which are accessible by small boat, is the reason for the name 'Little Venise'." I think the restaurants are a little more expensive in this neighborhood but you'll find that they all have menus in French and English and German and probably Spanish and others. It's all about the visitors in this part of Colmar. Don't miss the "Ski Tree." I'm not sure if that's a seasonal thing. [Review 21180 overall - 99 in France - 143 of 2024.]

Dating back as far as 1235, the Collégiale Saint-Martin was build on the site of a previous…read morebuilding. It is one of the oldest and most imposing Gothic-style churches in the Alsace region. It was the seat of the bishopric of the Haut-Rhin district during the French Revolution, which did see the interior stripped and taken elsewhere. Still, the outside of this imposing church remains. Note the interesting roofing. The tower replaces a spire that was destroyed in a fire in 1572. [Review 21177 overall - 96 in France - 140 of 2024.]

This is a beautiful church. The roof is very pretty. There are nice gargoyles. You can walk around…read more It's pretty. It's also very popular and lots of people around.

"Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, the wretched refuse…read moreof your teeming shore." -The New Colossus, Emma Lazarus (1849-1887) No, the famous poem isn't here on the Statue of Liberty in Colmar but it is a 12 meter (39 foot) tall replica of the famous statue. It is a quarter-scale in tribute to Colmar-native Auguste Bartholdi who designed the one in New York. This one was unveiled in 2004 to commemorate the centennial of his passing. It is in a traffic roundabout but there is parking not too far away. [Review 21185 overall - 104 in France - 148 of 2024.]

You can't miss this if you drive in from the north. We…read morepulled around and parked by the airport in a rental car lot or something... seemed like lots of people did. Large board with photo and other information about creator, but not in English. Nice to see this here. I thought it was impressive. Nice quick stop.

This is a great way to see the old town of Colmar - in a silent-running battery powered boat that…read moreruns along the back of the colourful timbered, gabled sloping-roof houses backing onto the river. The boats run almost constantly and you get tickets from a riverside pub - for me, it has been the highlight of more than one trip to Colmar - just remember to mind your head as you go under the very low bridges.

Not far from Colmar you will find this castle. Sitting at 620m along the mountain border between…read moreAlsace and Lorraine. Although being a bit up on a hill, you can get and park pretty close to it. It'll be only a few minutes of walk. Of course you could park further away and make it a hike AND a visit to the castle. The entrance costs a fair 7 Euros for adults. You even can bring your dog with (except in the museum). We were happy to bring along our Bulldog. Staff was very nice and friendly. The chateau is quite big and impressive. Especially the walls are really huge and massive. The original Hohlandsbourg was built in 1279. Sitting here on top it was a very strategic important landmark. But in the last two centuries the Bourg was sadly deteriorating. Until it was saved in the 70s and restoration began in the 80s. And are still going on. There is lots of entertainment going on inside these walls. Many cater to kids. Not really our thing though. But we came for the architecture and the views. You can walk all along the castles walls. Impressive views from the top. Really a great thing to do. Quite remarkable that you're allowed to walk the whole way along the walls. All in all a good visit. If you're in the area surely worth a trip. At a fair price, it needs a lot of manpower and money to keep this castle in good shape.

You cannot miss the character these fresh water runnels add to the city. Take off your shoes and…read morerelax.

it s really nice with the little canals of water running through the streets of the old part. It…read morereally gives it character. I did stupidly think that Die Bächle was one specific little well or something at first.

Okay, I have to admit it, I am a sucker for cemeteries. I just love them, especially in other…read morecountries. This cemetery is so haunting...my sister and I often take a picnic lunch and eat, read and relax there. The cemetery is so old that you are not going to offend anyone. My only concern is that between the last time I was there several years ago and this year (2016) the cemetery has become terribly overgrown. A tombstone to a famous person who was involved in the Revolutionary War in the US had disappeared entirely, I hope for restoration or preservation. The grass was terribly high and it was hard to get to some gravesites. I hope this will be remedied, because this cemetery is an absolute treasure.