Colmar Travel Guide: France’s Most Enchanting Village

Imagine if you could dust off your old Beauty and Beast VHS tape, hop into the film and walk down the streets alongside Belle. Well, if that’s your Disney dream you’ll find it come to life in Colmar, France, the oh so charming town that inspired the movie.

During my research to find lesser known towns in Europe, I came across an enchanting destination seemingly plucked from a fairy tale. The streets are paved with cobblestone and the architecture is derived from the early renaissance with a medieval flair. Colmar is located in northeast France near the Germany and Switzerland borders, making it a bucket list friendly place to easily knock out three countries in one trip.

DRIVE

We flew into the Basel EuroAirport (BSL) which actually serves France, Germany and Switzerland so make sure you pay attention to the entry signs or you’ll end up walking into the wrong country. Colmar is an hour away so we decided to rent a car from Sixt Rentals. If you’ve never driven in these countries it really isn’t much different than the US, at the end of the day a highway is a highway so no reason to be nervous. Prior to our trip, I purchased a $50 Europe-wide sim card from Orange equipped with a 20GB data plan that was good for 14 days. This was a crucial buy for me due to having no sense of direction and needing Google maps to live, eat and breathe my way through life, as well as staying connected to share created content.

STAY

Petite Venise “Saint Pierre” – Airbnb

Quaint like the town, this 1-bedroom apartment features second-floor views of cozy cottages and is located right in the heart of La Petite Venise (Little Venice). The Airbnb has a two-night minimum, accommodates up to four people and is priced at $77/night. The apartment was recently renovated in 2018 so the age of renaissance is left to the outside. There is ample parking in front of the building making it simple to come and go, but the town is so walkable you’ll rarely need your car. Located just steps from authentic restaurants, Venice-like canals and storybook scenery, this home is a wonderful place to stay. However, if you’re more of a hotel traveler than I suggest the Le Colombier design hotel adjacent to the apartment in the same great location.

DINE

An important thing to keep in mind are reservations, reservations, reservations. I repeat myself to help you avoid wasted time spent walking restaurant to restaurant just to be turned away due to capacity. We visited in May which was not quite peak season, yet it was still packed due the small size of the city. When traveling I sort of have reservation commitment issues because 9 out of 10 times I get caught up exploring, but here it’s better to just make it on time because you will be hard pressed to find a backup and end up going to a sushi joint (yes they have one).

Bistrot Gourmand

In the states, I would take a stack of fluffy pancakes over thin crepes any day, however, when in their country of origin, I wouldn’t dare insult the cook with an American IHOP request. Instead, I decided to give crepes another try and maaaaaan did my taste buds ever explode. If you are not the sweet breakfast type they have plenty of hardier options. Price-wise this bistro is very affordable and our crepes were only around 4 euros each (about $4.50 US). Overall this is an excellent choice for breakfast or brunch and is located right in the excitement of Old Town so you can eat without missing a beat.

Les Bateliers

When reading my travel guides, you’ll rarely find one without a waterfront or rooftop restaurant due to my obsession with gorgeous views, so let the pattern continue. Les Bateliers is an authentic French restaurant featuring a terrace overlooking the river in Little Venice. A wonderful place to escape the bustle of the town and dine by floating boats and colorful half-timbered homes with lush landscape.

Le Zinc

This modern French restaurant is a mixture of fine-dining with a friendly pub feel and is a wonderful place to eat after a long day of exploring. They specialize in butcher’s meat with veal and steak dishes and have a list of 12 delicious wines to accompany your selection. Being a pescatarian, I was happy to find a sea bream on the menu bursting with flavor, but randomly the mashed potatoes were my favorite part of the entree. The main plates range around $20-$30 (US) and you can purchase local wines by the bottle or glass.

EXPLORE

Old Town

A stroll through this picturesque village doesn’t take but 20 minutes so slow your pace to really soak in the sights. I recommend beginning at La Petite Venise because the multi-colored homes and calm Lauch river is by far the most beautiful place in Colmar. If you have yet to visit Venice or feening for one more ride down the narrow canals, then head to a boat company called Colmar au fil del’eau. The 25-minute guided tours are by flat bottom boat and tickets are available on board for six euros per person.

When walking through Old Town you get a sense of the enchantment found in Colmar that enlightens your travel senses. Listening to the street musicians, watching le petit trains glide through the village, and smelling delectable French pastries is a special kind of adventure. Culturally, Colmar has many monuments and museums including the Musee Bartholdi, home to spectacular art created by the Statue of Liberty sculptor, Auguste Bartholdi.

Castles

As Colmar can easily be explored within a day I suggest venturing out into the surrounding areas if you plan to stay a second night. There are several 13th century castles located 40-minutes northwest in Ribeauville, France conveniently all near one another. This is a free attraction (the best kind), so all you will need is water, walking shoes and a camera because the views are incredible. Once you arrive be sure to drive as close as you can to the road’s end because the castles are a 40-minute walk so no need to make it longer. The path is very easy to follow and leads right to castle #1: Chateau de Saint-Ulrich. Endless views of Ribeauville can be seen from the base of the castle but feel free to practice your rock-climbing skills to reach the top of the ruins.

View of Chateau de Saint-Ulrich

Next on the list is Chateau du Girsberg just a quick three-minute walk from Saint-Ulrich. It is so amazing to walk back in time and imagine the lives of lords and knights. Each castle is seamlessly built into the mountainside featuring several levels, stone windows, and hidden staircases leading to rooftop views overlooking France and neighboring chateaus.

Chateau du Girsberg

Lack of time prevented us from exploring the third castle, Chateau du Haut-Ribeaupierre. Located 15-minutes from Girsberg, this castle is the oldest of the three built in the 11th century on an ancient Roman site.

Chateau du Haut-Ribeaupierre

NEXT TIME

Wine Tour in 70’s VW Bus

Alsace, France is home to dry Riesling Alsatian wine that fills each glass with sweet peach and floral aromas. Spending the day walking through fruitful vines and listening to historic tales of how the first pour originated always makes for a fun time in Europe. A unique way to discover the fascinating world of French winemaking is to take a tour in a groovy 1970’s VW bus. This dreamy day trip is led by a wine expert who will lead you through two beautiful vineyards in the Alsace region. The price is $92/person and includes a 4-hour tour, food, wine tastings and transportation.

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