Colmar is the town of 'Beauty and the Beast' and we are not going to discuss it
Colmar is everything a lover of fairy tales and Disney movies could wish for . This small town in the French region of Alsace , in the northeast of the country, may not be at the top of the list of places to visit in France, but anyone who knows it will put it on their top of idyllic cities.
Rumors say that Bella's town is inspired by Colmar , and the reasons are everywhere. Located in the heart of the Upper Rhine Valley, between Basel and Strasbourg , Colmar has a perfect size between city and town that allows us to 'kick it' calmly and almost feel like one of the villagers who said good morning to Belle in the Disney movie. And that's part of its charm: to be able to forget about the turmoil of the city without the need to become hermits or flee to the most remote place in the Picos de Europa.
Colmar has belonged to Germany twice and France three times, so it is not surprising that traits of both countries can be felt, for example, in the famous architecture of the city.
Colmar's architecture drinks from German and French influences
Its historic center is classified as protected area and has been continuously restored to reach today as what it is: a composition of old houses , many from the 14th century, in the Germanic Gothic style, with French-style wooden frameworks and shutters, from the late Renaissance… All masterpieces that reflect the splendor of Colmar in the Middle Ages.
Many are a hallmark of the city, such as the Adolph House , from the fourteenth century, and the house Huselin zum Swan . The old customs or Koïfhus , from 1480, is the oldest public building in the city and all the Import products.
The Pfister House, from 1537, and the House of the Heads, from 1609 and with 111 heads and masks adorning its facade, they attest to the prosperity of the mercantile bourgeoisie of Colmar.
The old customs or Koïfhus
Religious architecture is not far behind either. The best representation is in the collegiate church of san martin , 13th century. The Église Saint-Martin is an example of the importance of Gothic in Alsace, and is considered by the neighbors as the colmar cathedral , although there is none in the city.
Of course, the private houses could not be less. As if it were a competition, the colmariens decorate the exterior of their homes with all kinds of decorations of considerable size. And we're not just talking about geraniums. Clocks, roosters, hearts or lamps It is the most normal thing you can find, because there are even bicycles and hanging chairs. But there is no fear that they will stop hanging, because everything is perfectly taken care of in this city where, from time to time, one finds oneself looking for Gastón around the corners.
But, if there is something that captivates us about Colmar are your channels . Because a city outlined by streams of water always has a special 'something'. Amsterdam, Venice, Bruges… Colmar deserves a place on this list.
The Maison des tetes, in Colmar
The canal area of Colmar is known as the Petite Venise . You may think that any city with a stream is called that, but we invite you to discard those prejudices because, although small in size, Little Venice is beauty.
occupying the district of Krutenau , old area of gardeners and farmers, the canals of the lauch river they irrigated the crops and served the merchants to transport their plants and vegetables to the market dock. The streams continue along the Quai de la Poissonnerie, where the fish caught in the area were sold and where the professional fishermen lived, whose houses line the banks and inevitably remind one of the capital of Veneto.
Some houses in 'little Venice' are from the 14th century, and in them also lived butchers and tanners, the latter in the Quartier des Tanneurs . Do not think that the colors of the houses are in vain. Apparently, the neighbors painted their houses depending on the type of business they ran: blue for fishermen, red for butchers and white for tanners.
An idyllic walk through an idyllic town
As a good city with canals worth its salt, boat rides are the most popular. In Colmar they are held in very flat boats , since in certain sections the channels have little bottom. These types of boats were used by farmers to transport vegetables to the market. The 30-minute tour runs gently through the canals so you can enjoy the sound of water and the tranquility of Colmar. If we didn't get so lost, we might even fall asleep from so much relaxation.
Another way to enjoy la petite Venise is from above. The terraces of some cafes almost seem to levitate over the canals. The one at the Wistub Brenner restaurant is one of them, and we think it is essential. Alsatian tradition with idyllic views . Onion cake may not sound very appetizing to you but trust us: it is!
River cruises and visitors arrive in Colmar from cities such as Strasbourg and Paris , so maybe not only you had the idea to visit Little Venice. If you are that strange type of human who does not mind getting up early on vacation, the best time to soak in the canals (figuratively, although more than one soaks their feet in summer) it's dawn . The first light of the sun reflected in the water, the streetlights about to be turned off, dimly illuminating the colors of the facades... and Little Venice almost to yourself.
Sunrise in Colmar
A good part of our desire to live forever in Colmar is due to the shops of typical Alsatian products , from food to textile.
The center is a constant appetite to bring you EVERYTHING home. Small shops selling local products such as white wine, cheese, sausages, chocolates, pretzels, jars of sauerkraut (the famous fermented cabbage)…
The covered market is one of our favorite places to take the pulse of the daily life of the city which, despite its fairy-tale appearance, is not without its routine life. Locals come here to buy fruit, vegetables, cheese, bread... Although you can also avoid a sugar crash by going to the Gilg patisserie, famous among locals and strangers for its cakes, chocolates and macaroons.
Dog in Colmar
FROM WINE TO WINE THROUGH COLMAR AND ITS SURROUNDINGS
"Well, very good, and once you've seen the streets?" gourmet surprise : Colmar is the capital of the Alsace wine route (I'm sure Bella had a drink to wake up so joyful...) . The white grape variety Riesling is the best known , since Alsace is the only region in France where its cultivation is allowed (it originates from the Rhine region, in Germany) .
The route stretches for 170 kilometers and passes through 100 villages each more beautiful than the last. Visiting some near Colmar you can get an idea for, who knows? Do the full route another time. October is a good date as it is the end of the harvest and wine festivals are held throughout the region.
If you are one of those who taste in small sips and do not end up making eses, a good way to get to know the wine-producing areas around Colmar is renting a bike . Bucolic-pastoral at all. The charming town of Eguisheim It is only 7 kilometers away, and it is another of the essential visits in Alsace. Located on a small hill surrounded by vineyards, it is on the official list Les Plus Beaux Villages de France , and Disney is also said to have been inspired by it. The only thing missing is mice that talk and birds that put our clothes on in the morning!
Nearby Eguisheim, 7 km from Colmar
the cellar emily beyer , in the center of town, has organic certification and is one of the most recommended. Its history dates back to 1580, and the wines are tasted in the cellars of an old medieval inn. Get ready, because they have about 30 different wines on their menu.
There are also guided tours from Colmar to Kaysersberg, Riquewihr and Hunawihr . In Kayserberg do not overlook Flamme & Co. , a restaurant dedicated to tarte flambeé, a kind of very thin-crust pizza cooked over wood, typical of Alsace. The traditional one has cheese and bacon, but in this place there are them with foie gras, duck breast, Parmesan, vegetables... even scallops!
After having enjoyed this part of Alsace, it is left to your imagination to decide where Bella lived. If she was in Colmar, no wonder she woke up singing every morning.