Old Town, Colmar

Visiting Colmar in December leading up to Christmas is a pleasure that recalls all the Christmas wonders of childhood. It had been snowing and the lights everywhere made it look as delightful glitter and as if a thousand little candles had been lit. A very tastfully decorated town with a lovely Christmas fair, the buildings look as if coming straight out of a storybook. It was very very cold when I was there and only for the Glu-wine which people were drinking all around the streets and which kept us all warm, we would not have enjoyed the evening as much as we did. I was only there for one night but it is still a great memory of travelling through this part of france very close to the German border.
Plenty of little restaurants to choose from all over the centre of the town.

The Koifhus - the oldest public building of Colmar - was built in the second half of the 15th century. It was the centre of trade and economy.

The ground floor was used for storage of trading goods and customs. On the upper floor you find the halls where the representatives of the in 1354 founded Alsacienne 10-cities-league had their meetings.

Maison Pfister is considered to be one of the most beautiful townhouses in Alsace. It is named after a previous owner of the 19th century.

The house was built 1537 for the hatter Ludwig Scherer. The architecture (with wood-carved loggia and alcove over two floors) is still medieval, but the decoration of the facade is in Renaissance style.

The paintings depict Habsburg Emperors of the 16th century, evangelists, bible scenes etc.

This is obviously the area where hides were processed and tanned, but is now a lovely preserved area of 17th & 18 Century large buildings. In the center of the area is a large square with restaurants around - a nice place for dining al fresco. We happened there one evening when there was a group in traditional Alasian costumes providing music and dancing. We were well entertained throughout our meal - it was a very nice evening.

As I said before, the magic of Colmar is the architecture that brings an incredible surround of history. Sometimes you think you are in Germany but then you hear people talk in French. Well, the best is to think simply that you are in Alsace.
Take a look at the buildings. They all have a history behind.

I think that the whole city is a "must see activity". For example, watch the old houses, like these two amazing "Fachwerk" (framework) buildings. Keep your eyes wide open, colmar is full with such hidden treasures......

.... what a pity that I didn?t take much more pictures. But it was long before my VT-time ... :-))

A small green train takes visitors on a 4 mile guided tour through the old town. Head phones, narratives in various languages. Good overview of the town. Hard to take photos though as the train is always moving.

I was amazed that the guides could just "look" at visitors and determine which language headsets they needed.

...in the historic center.