Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we’re talking about what NOT to do on a trip to Colmar, France. While many travel blogs will tell you all the fun things to do in Colmar, France, we want to be sure you know what you should NOT do when you plan a Colmar trip.
Don’t Think of Italy When Planning to Visit Colmar
Colmar likes to promote itself as “little Venice” but it’s really more like “little Strasbourg” with all of the half-timbered houses and churches. Colmar is surrounded by canals, so the Venice comparison is valid, and you can and should book a boat ride to see the city from another angle.
Don’t Be Surprised at the Beauty
Colmar was actually Disney’s inspiration for Beauty and the Beast, so of course, it’s magical! Don’t be surprised if you never run out of beautiful buildings to look at. It’s not like some tourist destinations where the main area is nice to look at, but a few blocks away, it’s run down. No, it seems the entire town of Colmar is scenic and quaint, so bring good walking shoes so you can see it all.
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And don’t forget to look up when looking around; lots of buildings have fun themes painted on their walls, like hearts or storks. There’s even a place that has pails hanging all over the outside of the building.
Don’t Feel like You Have to Take the Tourist Train
Like all the little tourist towns in France, Colmar has a little train that will take you around the town and give you a nice overview. If your feet are tired, it’s a fun way to relax and enjoy the sights, but don’t feel like you’re missing out if you don’t take the train. If you decide to ride the train, it departs right near the Unterlinden Museum.
Discover Colmar with help from the Tourist Office
Don’t Miss Out on Alsatian Cuisine
The majority of restaurants in Colmar serve Alsatian cuisine, which is kind of a mix of German and French cuisines, given that the region has changed hands many times between France and Germany. Pork is a common ingredient, and you’ll see sausages and sauerkraut in addition to French cheeses and pastries. It is heartier food so you can expect to be full after a meal.
The region is also known for great wines, especially white wines like Riesling. If you’re really into wine, you can follow the Route des vins d’Alsace, which takes you to various regional vineyards.
Being so close to Germany, Alsace is also famous for their beer, so whether you like wine or beer, you won’t go thirsty in Colmar!
Don’t Forget that Restaurants Close in the Afternoon
Many restaurants in Colmar tend to close the kitchen in the later afternoon, typically between 2 pm and 7 pm. Oftentimes, your eating schedule can get off track when traveling, so be sure to pay attention to the hours and make sure you get lunch before all the kitchens close. Likewise, plan on having dinner after 7:00. There will always be a handful of tourist restaurants or bars serving food, but your options will be more limited. Likewise, you may find a handful of restaurants closed on Sundays and Mondays.
Don’t Miss the Unterlinden Museum
There are some great museums in Colmar, but the one not to miss is the Unterlinden Museum. Inside, they have the Isenheim Altarpiece, which dates back to 1516. It’s the largest work by Matthias Grünewald and they have taken apart the panels so that they can all be viewed by museum visitors. They really have a great collection of art.
Don’t Be Shocked at the Statue of Liberty Everywhere
Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi, the sculptor of the Statue of Liberty, is actually from Colmar, so it’s a special symbol for the city. There’s a museum dedicated to Bartholdi, where you can learn more about his art. There’s a Statue of Liberty replica that you will see if you are driving in from Strasbourg.
Don’t Be Confused by the Storks
You’ll see images of storks all over Colmar, which seems a little weird, given that storks typically symbolize babies and birth. As it turns out, storks are native to Alsace, and there’s been a big effort to repopulate them in the area.
Don’t Get Frustrated with Tourist Crowds
Colmar is centrally located near Strasbourg, Germany, Switzerland, and Paris. There are direct trains from Paris to Colmar that take just over two hours. Weekends are especially busy as it seems like everyone from Paris is getting out of the city for the weekend and coming to Alsace.
Don’t Miss the Colmar Christmas Market Season
Strasbourg is the Christmas capital of France, and Colmar is like the “mini” Christmas capital. You can just imagine how the already adorable town looks when it’s all dressed up. Of course, it will be crowded, but with a little advance planning, the Colmar Christmas Market season can be fantastic!
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Don’t Rule Out a Day Trip to Colmar
If you have the time, it’s really lovely to stay in Colmar, but don’t skip it due to time constraints! You can easily visit Colmar on a day trip from several cities, thanks to fast trains and good connections. Likewise, you can use Colmar as a base for exploring the nearby regions.
- Strasbourg is around 45 minutes from Colmar
- Basel, Switzerland is also about 45 minutes away
- Paris to Colmar is just over two hours by train
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Don’t be surprised if you fall in love with Colmar! It is truly a fairytale village of France! It’s easy to get to, and it’s easy to get around. With so many great day trips from Colmar, it also makes a great home base for exploring the larger Alsace region of France.
Want more tips for traveling in France? Check out some of our other blog posts: