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.]

This is a very touristy and pretty place. It looks like something out of a postcard or movie. It's…read morereally busy with tourists from everywhere. You can see swans also.

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.

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.

"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.

One of the three remaining city gates, the Gate of Spalen dates back to 1400. There was a time that…read moreBasel was surrounded by walls but most of them are gone. This memorializes those times. Through this gate, a great deal of vital supplies and provisions that had come from Alsace entered the city. You can still see square main tower which is flanked by two circular towers on either side. The figures of the Madonna and two prophets decorate the façade that faces away from the city. Access is free and you can walk right through the gate today. [Review 21216 overall - 66 in Switzerland - 181 of 2024.]

The Spalentor was one of the first things we saw in Basel and it was definitely one of the most…read morememorable. It's a beautiful city gate that stands in the middle of a bustling intersection. It's mind-boggling to think how many centuries old this structure is. It used to help surround the city with walls, but those have long since been removed. The green roof is decorated with an interesting pattern and it looks similar to the ones I saw at Basel Minster. You can walk around and through this structure at all times of the day so definitely come back for some great night pictures as well. There are lots of intricate details to study and appreciate if you take the time to look.

"Covered bridges" but not actually covered, the Ponts Couverts are three bridges and four towers…read morethat were built in the 13th century as a defense of the city. There was originally a wooden roof but it was removed back in 1784 and the name remained. The nearby marker in French, German and English reads, "The covered bridges comprised the city's wester defenses from the 13th to 17th centuries and formed part of the Episcopal wall. Three of the bruick-built towers have survived - the Heinrichsturn, the Hans von Altheiumturm and the tour des Français (French tower). The spur-shaped parts in front of the bridges were built by Daniel Specklin in the 16th century and fitted with loopholes for guns to fire through. The bridges' galleries were protected by a tilting roof, whence the name, and closed off by a wooden wall contained arrow slits. The galleries were replaced in 1784 by wooden footbridges and in 1865 by the sandstone bridges that can be seen today. From 1880 to 1950, the area in front of the second tower was taken by the Mathis Baths, which were divided into two pools, separated by covered pontoons surrounded by a fence and fitted with changing rooms." [Review 16450 overall - 84 in France - 1958 of 2021.]

Translates to "covered bridges" but the actual covered bridge is directly across called the Barrage…read moreVauban. Perhaps at one point these bridges were covered but definitely not anymore. It's a scenic area surrounded by water and large towers that once defended the city back in the 13th century. It would be neat to go up the towers and get a better vantage point of the Petite France quarter; however, the towers are off limits and inaccessible. It's worth coming here at night when the reflection of the water makes for a gorgeous photo.