This post is the third and last of three in my France 2024 series. The first post on Paris strolls is here. The second post on my three days in Strasbourg is here.
Getting There
From Strasbourg, I took a train to Colmar, one of the prettiest towns in France. The train ride took 30 minutes. Colmar is renowned for its well-preserved old town, its numerous architectural landmarks, its museums and its Alsatian wine.
Exploring Colmar
I picked up a map from the Information Centre in Colmar train station and started walking towards Colmar town centre. The 6.1 km (3.8 miles) discovery trail is marked with a bronze directional sign on the ground. The day started with sunny skies then turned cloudy and rainy. Fortunately I had an umbrella with me and enjoyed a late lunch at Café de la Lauch while it rained hard.
Here’s a sampling of what I explored and discovered in Colmar.
Bruat Fountain: Unveiled in 1864, the Auguste Bartholdi fountain, which is topped by the statue of Armand-Joseph Bruat (1796-1855), an admiral in chief of the French navy during the Crimean war, was destroyed in 1940. The allegories of the four continents and the fountain’s basin were recreated in 1958.
Directional sign on Colmar Discovery Trail – The Statue of Liberty (a gift to the U.S. from the people of France) was designed by French sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi who was born in Colmar.
The House of Heads built in 1609 owes its name to its unusual 105 grotesque masks. The building was once used to trade wine.
Colmar Tourist Office
Pfister House was built in 1537 by the milliner Ludwig Scherer. The house iconography is the perfect example of bourgeois tradesmen’s fondness for Renaissance humanist culture.
The Former Guardhouse was built in 1575. Its decorative details reflect the Renaissance architecture in the Upper Rhine.
Built between 1235 and 1365 the Saint Martin’s Collegiate Church is an important example of Gothic architecture in Alsace. The church has been restored several times.
The Koïfhus was built in 1480 in Gothic and Renaissance styles. It was once the town’s business and political hub.
A colourful Brasserie des Tanneurs in Colmar
Restaurants and shops in Colmar
Colmar Covered Market (on the right) was established in 1865. In the market hall, traders sell fresh fruit and vegetables, meat, cured meat, cheese, baked goods, fish and delicious local produce all year.
Boating on the River Lauch by Poissonnerie Quay
The Fishmongers’ District: A pretty row of half-timbered houses stand along the River Lauch. Most of them were homes to boatmen and fishermen who would put their traps in the river.
Krutenau: The former market gardener neighbourhood. The market gardeners would sail along the River Lauch to transport their goods to town on flat-bottomed boats.
Little Venice: A rural community of winemakers, market gardeners and boatmen used to live here. It is the most romantic part of Krutenau neighbourhood.
I greatly enjoyed Colmar and my late lunch at Café de la Lauch. The Flammekueche (tarte flambée) and coffee were delicious.
Link-Up
This post is my contribution to Dan’s Thursday Doors photo challenge.
I’d love for you to share your week’s highlights and/ or public art from around the world in the Comments or Weekend Coffee Share link-up #168 below.
Sarah, Colmar is picturesque and rich in history. It is easy to explore on foot. It also has several interesting museums. Thank you for your PPAC contribution that took me to Sardinia, a place I’d love to visit.
Glad you liked it. You know what,i saw this place in Google and I suggested to one of my best friend to visit Colmar and she totally loved it. But sadly I don’t know if I can visit it myself. Thanks Natalie for the share.
What a lovely town. I feel like it would be an inspiring place to write. I’m taking an online course right now called “Plain Language” and there is a woman in the course who is living in France; she’s from Canada, but in France for her job.
What a wonderful historic town to visit. The buildings and atmosphere look special and romantic, for sure. I’ll keep Colmar on my mental list whenever we travel in France again.
The Brasserie des Tanneurs looks a cozy place to eat. I love the diversity of the architecture in Colmar. Maybe yet another place to add to my bucket list.
Wonderful memories and well captured photos, Natalie. It is an amazingly beautiful place even with all the tourists, it is one that still stands out for us even after all the travel we have done.
Thank you Suzanne for your comment. Colmar stands out for me, too. There is a quiet beauty about the town. It wasn’t too busy when I was there in early May.
I love this post Natalie. I haven’t heard of Colmar and really enjoyed the tour. I read a book, but can’t remember the title, about the grotesques masks that were popular in France at the time. Unfortunately I can’t remember the title. Colmar looks to be a lovely historic town
Jo, The spring rain added a romantic feel to Colmar. I was in a café looking out to the canal and it was lovely.
P.S. I tried to leave comments on your two recent posts and WordPress wouldn’t let me. It prompted me to log in when I was already logged in. Thank you for the mention of my blog in one of your posts.
Great observation about the sign. Your comment prompted me to add some explanation to my photo of Colmar direction sign. The Statue of Liberty in New York (a gift to the U.S. from the people of France) was designed by French sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi who was born in Colmar. There are Bartholdi statue, monument, college and museum in Colmar.
Your pictures are lovely and make me want to visit this quaint little town. It reminds me of a quiet Venice – the canal only. The rest of it is al France. The architecture is so detailed. It’s amazing that it has held up over the years. Looks like you had a cloudy day, which is nice for waking in the summer time.
We hope to go on a cruise in France for our 30th anniversary next year. Maybe we will get to see some of these iconic places your talk about. Vince wants to rent a car and drive around a bit while we are there. Your posts are definitely going with us! 🙂
Marsha, A cruise in France sounds amazing. Strasbourg and Colmar are on a number of river cruise itineraries so I hope you’ll get to visit both places. France has many pretty small towns. The possibilities are endless 🙂
That is a challenge, isn’t it. I think you do a great job of it. I could use some work. 🙂 One thing you do is keep your personal business out of your blog. It is informative and friendly without airing your laundry. Sadly, for better or worse, I do a lot of laundry on my blog – even in my comments.
I am pleased to have so many blogging friends. They have enriched me and become part of my “real life.” I try to include a balance of both, but sadly, short doesn’t describe my posts. I think you probably spend as much time on comments to your followers as you do on your posts. I think that is how you build in the personability. However, even with that, you focus your comments more of the person you are visiting than on yourself, and that is an amazing gift. You are a great hostess. 🙂 xxx
It’s wonderful that your blogging friends become part of your real life. It takes time to make friends and maintain friendship. Thank you for recognizing where I focus my comments 🙂 When I’m chatting with someone, I try to focus on the person and their story, both IRL and online.
Hi Natalie!
What a beautiful post of your travels in Colmar, France. Your photos are amazing and maybe someday I’ll be able to visit France. I’ve been so busy stitching away for a quilt my sister’s and I are making for our niece. I’m finally done with my part so I could finally write up a post. I hope you have a wonderful weekend and I’ll be visiting many other coffee shares this weekend too! 😀
Hi Diana, I’m glad you’re able to join the WCS link-up this weekend. Your quilt project is surely a gift from the heart. Your niece is one lucky recipient. I’ll visit your blog to catch up on your news. Have a beautiful Sunday and a great week ahead!
The trail markers are interesting. I think of a trail marker as a small painted line on a tree like is in my area. I like the thoughts of the garden market water travel, though I’m not sure I would want to have to travel in the water every day to get from place to place.
Colmar is proud of its sculptor Frédéric Bartholdi who designed the Statue of Liberty so they use that image for the trail markers. The town is small so it’s not a great distance to travel by boat. The water travel is now mainly for tourists.
What a charming city to visit. The architecture is stunningly beautiful. I noticed the clouds building as you went from place top place so, I glad you found a nice cafe to let the rain pass. Your pics are lovely.
Joe, Thank you for your compliment. I’m pleased you liked my pictures. Colmar is photogenic and has many beautiful sights that one can make a photo book from one visit. I was lucky to see all the main attractions before it started raining. The café has a patio that faces the river and its interior is French-Alsatian cozy. The warm summer rain passed as I finished lunch so it was all good.
The House of Heads and Flemish buildings in Belgium or the Netherlands may be constructed around the same time period, or sometimes by the same architect for international building projects.
Natalie the Explorer 
Incredible journey and wonderful photos! I am looking forward to reading your previous posts.
-Soma
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It was a wonderful trip. I hope you enjoy my previous posts on France.
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I’ve never been to Colmar but it looks a charming place – so many beautiful buildings and the water running through it like that!
I’m linking up my latest post as it has some rather good public art to share: https://www.toonsarah-travels.blog/the-ancient-stones-of-sardinia/
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Sarah, Colmar is picturesque and rich in history. It is easy to explore on foot. It also has several interesting museums. Thank you for your PPAC contribution that took me to Sardinia, a place I’d love to visit.
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Colmar’s Christmas market is wonderful. It makes a beautiful town even more magical. Do Colmar and Strasbourg for Christmas.
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Marie, Thank you for your visit and comment. Colmar and Strasbourg at Christmas sound wonderful.
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This is one place I want to visit.
Here is mine https://wanderingteresa.com/san-remo-phillip-island/
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Teresa, You’d love Colmar. It is a cozy and photogenic town. Thank you for your PPAC contribution that took me to an interesting part of Australia.
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Glad you liked it. You know what,i saw this place in Google and I suggested to one of my best friend to visit Colmar and she totally loved it. But sadly I don’t know if I can visit it myself. Thanks Natalie for the share.
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Never says never 🙂 I hope you get to visit Colmar one day.
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I hope so too! Thanks Natalie.
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Such a beautiful trip you had! It looks like such an amazing part of France to visit. But then again, I’d suppose ALL of France is amazing. 🙂
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France has a lot to offer to its visitors so people keep coming or returning 🙂
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What a lovely town. I feel like it would be an inspiring place to write. I’m taking an online course right now called “Plain Language” and there is a woman in the course who is living in France; she’s from Canada, but in France for her job.
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Colmar is cozy and picturesque. I think it would be an inspiring place to write, draw or paint.
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What a wonderful historic town to visit. The buildings and atmosphere look special and romantic, for sure. I’ll keep Colmar on my mental list whenever we travel in France again.
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I hope you visit Colmar when you travel in France again. It’s a cozy and picturesque town with a rich history and is on the Alsatian wine route.
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It looks charming. I love places like this. Great photos. xo
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Thank you Darlene. Colmar is charming and easy to explore. I’m glad I went.
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I love all the architectural details and colors and styles. It looks like such a fun place to explore.
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Colmar is cozy and picturesque. I greatly enjoyed exploring the town on foot.
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Such a lovely place!
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Agreed. I’m glad I went to Colmar.
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Strasbourg has always been on my list to visit so lovely to see your pictures, and now I have to add Colmar. Wonderful tour and thanks for sharing.
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I highly recommend adding Colmar to your itinerary whenever you visit Strasbourg. I’m glad I did.
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I’m adding this to the list – how charming!! Stunning.
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I’m glad I added Colmar to my itinerary. I wouldn’t mind returning for another visit.
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The Brasserie des Tanneurs looks a cozy place to eat. I love the diversity of the architecture in Colmar. Maybe yet another place to add to my bucket list.
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Colmar has plenty of cozy places to eat and beautiful architecture all around town.
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Such wonderful buildings. I love the old-fashioned style architecture.
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Yes, I enjoyed Colmar’s beautiful architecture.
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Thanks for joining us, Natalie. These are fabulous photos and lovely doors. It looks like you had a wonderful trip.
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Thank you Dan for your comment. I’ve been away a lot and missed contributing to Thursday Doors. Have a great weekend!
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This town is very charming with its photogenic architecture and views. I will definitely add this to my list if I’m ever going to France.
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Colmar is lovely. I’m glad I went and wouldn’t mind visiting Colmar again in the future.
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Wonderful memories and well captured photos, Natalie. It is an amazingly beautiful place even with all the tourists, it is one that still stands out for us even after all the travel we have done.
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Thank you Suzanne for your comment. Colmar stands out for me, too. There is a quiet beauty about the town. It wasn’t too busy when I was there in early May.
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I think you’re right regarding visiting during May.
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I intentionally took my trip in shoulder season to avoid crowds and the summer heat.
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I love this post Natalie. I haven’t heard of Colmar and really enjoyed the tour. I read a book, but can’t remember the title, about the grotesques masks that were popular in France at the time. Unfortunately I can’t remember the title. Colmar looks to be a lovely historic town
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Jennifer, That book sounds interesting. The grotesque masks were popular in France when the House of Heads were built.
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We’ve got to make sure we go to Colmar having already got Strasbourg on the list. Thanks for a lovely post.
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Yes, I recommend adding Colmar on your Strasbourg itinerary. Both are beautiful and unique.
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It still looks inviting, even in the rain, Natalie.
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Jo, The spring rain added a romantic feel to Colmar. I was in a café looking out to the canal and it was lovely.
P.S. I tried to leave comments on your two recent posts and WordPress wouldn’t let me. It prompted me to log in when I was already logged in. Thank you for the mention of my blog in one of your posts.
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Thanks, Natalie! I don’t know what causes that but thank you for trying 🤗🩷
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A very picturesque town. Sounds like you had a great time, despite the rain. I hope you are enjoying your weekend and have a wonderful week ahead!
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The rain came when I already finished visiting places I wanted to see so it was good timing. Have a great weekend!
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Lovely little town, your photos are great.
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Thanks, Jackie. I took all my photos with an old cellphone camera.
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The direction sign looks like a Statute of Liberty! Beautiful pictures.
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Great observation about the sign. Your comment prompted me to add some explanation to my photo of Colmar direction sign. The Statue of Liberty in New York (a gift to the U.S. from the people of France) was designed by French sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi who was born in Colmar. There are Bartholdi statue, monument, college and museum in Colmar.
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Wonderful! Thanks for sharing!
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You’re welcome. Thank you for your comment.
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Your pictures are lovely and make me want to visit this quaint little town. It reminds me of a quiet Venice – the canal only. The rest of it is al France. The architecture is so detailed. It’s amazing that it has held up over the years. Looks like you had a cloudy day, which is nice for waking in the summer time.
We hope to go on a cruise in France for our 30th anniversary next year. Maybe we will get to see some of these iconic places your talk about. Vince wants to rent a car and drive around a bit while we are there. Your posts are definitely going with us! 🙂
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Marsha, A cruise in France sounds amazing. Strasbourg and Colmar are on a number of river cruise itineraries so I hope you’ll get to visit both places. France has many pretty small towns. The possibilities are endless 🙂
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We are starting to research, so now I know some town names. 🙂
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Researching about a new destination is part of the fun of travel.
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You are the explorer. I kind of like the fun of discovering, then I’m more interested in the topic after I’ve been there.
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I hear you. Researching takes time. I like the learning that takes place when I research about a place.
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I love the research that goes into your posts. They are always very informative. 🙂
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You’re so kind, Marsha. It’s a good challenge for my brain to keep a blog post short, informative and interesting to read.
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That is a challenge, isn’t it. I think you do a great job of it. I could use some work. 🙂 One thing you do is keep your personal business out of your blog. It is informative and friendly without airing your laundry. Sadly, for better or worse, I do a lot of laundry on my blog – even in my comments.
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I think the upside to write about personal business on the blog is that it draws readers and makes the blogger and the blog relatable.
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I am pleased to have so many blogging friends. They have enriched me and become part of my “real life.” I try to include a balance of both, but sadly, short doesn’t describe my posts. I think you probably spend as much time on comments to your followers as you do on your posts. I think that is how you build in the personability. However, even with that, you focus your comments more of the person you are visiting than on yourself, and that is an amazing gift. You are a great hostess. 🙂 xxx
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It’s wonderful that your blogging friends become part of your real life. It takes time to make friends and maintain friendship. Thank you for recognizing where I focus my comments 🙂 When I’m chatting with someone, I try to focus on the person and their story, both IRL and online.
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That’s a wonderful quality!
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Beautiful discoveries. Thank you for sharing them with us.
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I’m glad I visited Colmar. Thank you for stopping by.
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The houses right on the water, by the canal are so dream like. I imagine how lovely it would be to live there! Thank you for this little trip 🙂
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The houses along the River Lauch in Colmar are pretty. Thank you for your comment.
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Natalie, I love the architecture in France. Thanks for sharing the photos!
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You’re welcome, Pam. I’m sure you have many photos from your recent trip to Paris.
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Hi Natalie!
What a beautiful post of your travels in Colmar, France. Your photos are amazing and maybe someday I’ll be able to visit France. I’ve been so busy stitching away for a quilt my sister’s and I are making for our niece. I’m finally done with my part so I could finally write up a post. I hope you have a wonderful weekend and I’ll be visiting many other coffee shares this weekend too! 😀
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Hi Diana, I’m glad you’re able to join the WCS link-up this weekend. Your quilt project is surely a gift from the heart. Your niece is one lucky recipient. I’ll visit your blog to catch up on your news. Have a beautiful Sunday and a great week ahead!
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Wow, such a beautiful place. What a lovely town to be in. Love it. Thanks for hosting and I hope that you have a wonderful week.
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Thank you, Patrick. Have a beautiful Sunday and a great week ahead.
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The trail markers are interesting. I think of a trail marker as a small painted line on a tree like is in my area. I like the thoughts of the garden market water travel, though I’m not sure I would want to have to travel in the water every day to get from place to place.
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Colmar is proud of its sculptor Frédéric Bartholdi who designed the Statue of Liberty so they use that image for the trail markers. The town is small so it’s not a great distance to travel by boat. The water travel is now mainly for tourists.
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Natalie,
What a charming city to visit. The architecture is stunningly beautiful. I noticed the clouds building as you went from place top place so, I glad you found a nice cafe to let the rain pass. Your pics are lovely.
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Joe, Thank you for your compliment. I’m pleased you liked my pictures. Colmar is photogenic and has many beautiful sights that one can make a photo book from one visit. I was lucky to see all the main attractions before it started raining. The café has a patio that faces the river and its interior is French-Alsatian cozy. The warm summer rain passed as I finished lunch so it was all good.
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The House of Heads looks interesting. It looks Flemish.
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The House of Heads and Flemish buildings in Belgium or the Netherlands may be constructed around the same time period, or sometimes by the same architect for international building projects.
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