Colmar Off The Beaten Path

Colmar is not only half timber houses (they have even very modern building!) but nevertheless, it was amazing to discover in the old city center an Art Nouveau houses standing oddly between half-timbered houses.

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Have you ever bothered to look at Shop signs?

Here in Colmar they form part of the historical street scenes. Not only the buildings itself are old and worthwhile to see, but also all the small details.

Have you ever heard of Hansi?

When you are in Colmar or any other touristic place in Alsace, you can by his handdrawn street scenes as postcards everywhere. Look closely and you will discover, that some of the Shop signs were designed by him.

The statue (1888) of Bartholdi depicts Johann Roesselmann, who lost his life as successful defender of Colmar of 1262 in the war with the Bishop of Strasbourg.

The fountain is located on a small square south of the old town, where Little Venice meets the Grand Rue. Very charming. Enjoy the peaceful place.

Jean Rapp was one of Napoleon's Generals. He suffered 22 injuries. Born as son of a doorkeeper in 1771 he died as Count and General in 1821.

His monument is to find at Place Rapp, west of the old town.

This fountain is a work of Frederic-Auguste Bartholdi (1864). The fountain was destroyed by the Nazis in 1940 and reconstructed in 1958.

The statues at the four corners depict four continents. Armand Joseph Bruat (1796 - 1855) was admiral and commander of the French Pacific Fleet. Born in Colmar he died after a glorious victory in the Krim War.

The "Fishermen's quarter" is located right between the Tanners quarter and Little Venice. Fishermen and -merchants sold all sorts of fish and seafood here until mid 20th century.

Again very picturesque, colourful timber-framed townhouses. They were restored 1978 - 81.

"Quartier de Tanneurs" (Tanner quarter) is a particularly charming area of Colmar. As the name indicates it was home of the tanners in former centuries. Most of the originally preserved timber-framed houses were built in the 17th/18th century.

1968 - 74 the quarter has been restored. Looks much nicer since then, but unfortunately many people could no longer afford to live there and so the social structure of the quarter has changed.

Although picturesque it made quite a "dead" impression on me.