Colmar is one of the most picturesque towns in France. Its atypical architecture and its art of living make it a city full of charm.

An epicurean break in fairy tale

Picturesque half-timbered houses, romantic canals, flowered windows, maze of cobbled streets and tasty gastronomy : Colmar, one of the prettiest towns in Alsace, invites you to taste its art of living. From the Little Venice of Colmar to some of the emblematic villages of the Alsace Wine Route such as Turckheim or Niedermorschwihr, the destination of Colmar and its region offers you an epicurean break in fairy tale settings. Here are some places to discover :

Little Venice

The « Little Venice » is the name given during the Lauch in Colmar. This name probably comes from the original alignment of the houses on either side of the river which serves the south-east of the city. This district begins behind the Koïffhus, passes by the fish market quay, to go to the Turenne and Saint-Pierre bridges. It is therefore at the beginning of the Krutenau, whose etymology designates places of market gardening on the outskirts of cities. Originally inhabited by a rural community of winegrowers, market gardeners and boatmen, the Krutenau extends around rue Turenne which the marshal took in 1674 for his triumphal entry into the city. Boat trips are possible in this area.

The fishmonger’s wharf

The fishmonger’s wharf is where most of the city’s professional fishermen resided, united with the boatmen in a powerful corporation. The fish caught were also stored in tanks and sold at the fishmonger’s wharf. In 1706, a gigantic fire destroyed more than forty houses in the district. From 1978 to 1981, major restoration work made it possible to update the half-timbering of many houses in this district which forms the junction between the Tanners district and the picturesque Little Venice.

The Pfister house

The Pfister house was built in 1537 on behalf of the hatter Ludwig Scherer who had made his fortune with the silver trade in the Val de Liepvre. Despite its medieval characteristics, it is the first example of Renaissance architecture in Colmar.