Best things to do in Colmar

Colmar's Unmissable Gems

Colmar’s historic center showcases a dense concentration of Alsatian heritage, from the 13th-century Gothic architecture of Saint Martin's Church to the Renaissance ornate detail of the Maison des Têtes. The city is defined by the Lauch river’s canals in the Little Venice district, historic trading hubs like the 15th-century Koïffhus, and specialized collections such as the Unterlinden Museum's Isenheim Altarpiece. This selection highlights the architectural evolution of the Rhine Valley through preserved medieval streets and timber-framed structures.

Colmar's Unmissable Gems — Map

M.Strīķis / CC BY-SA 3.0

A

St Martin's Church, Colmar

The Église Saint-Martin is a Roman Catholic church located in Colmar, Haut-Rhin, France. It is in the principal Gothic architectural style.

Sting / CC BY-SA 3.0

B

Maison Pfister

Built in 1537, this Renaissance house features a wrap-around wooden gallery, an octagonal turret, and biblical mural paintings. It represents the architectural transition from medieval to modern styles.

Wladyslaw / CC-BY-SA-3.0

C

Unterlinden Museum

The Unterlinden Museum is located in Colmar, in the Alsace region of France.

Gzen92 / CC BY-SA 4.0

D

Petite Venice Pont Rue de Turenne

Stone bridge providing a central vantage point over the Lauch river and the flower-lined timber houses of the Krutenau district.

Meyer Charlie / CC-BY-SA

E

La petite Venise

Historic riverside district where wine producers and boatmen once lived. The area is characterized by colorful half-timbered houses reflected in the Lauch river canals.

stefano Merli / CC BY-SA 2.0

F

Marché couvert

Designed by architect Louis-Michael Boltz in 1865, this brick and stone hall hosts local vendors selling Alsatian produce, cheeses, and wines.

Zelmira Rodriguez / CC-BY-SA

G

Ancienne douane (Koïffhus)

Completed in 1480, this was Colmar’s administrative and economic center. The building features a distinctive tiled roof and served as a warehouse and custom house.

ANTONIO JOSE CAMPANARIO JIMENEZ / CC-BY-SA

H

The House of Heads

A 1609 Renaissance residence decorated with 106 carved stone heads. The facade is topped by a statue created by Auguste Bartholdi in 1902.

M.Strīķis / CC BY-SA 3.0

I

Église des Dominicains

This 13th-century Gothic church houses Martin Schongauer’s 1473 altarpiece, 'The Virgin of the Rose Bush,' and features notable 14th-century stained glass windows.

Alf van Beem / CC0

J

Museum of toys

Located in a former cinema, this museum displays a collection of toys, trains, and games dating from the 19th century to the present.

Pracliii / CC BY-SA 3.0

K

Quai de la Poissonerie

The former center of Colmar's fishing industry, this quay is lined with narrow, brightly painted half-timbered houses dating back to the 14th and 15th centuries.

M.Strīķis / CC BY-SA 3.0

L

Église Saint-Matthieu

A former 13th-century Franciscan church that became a Lutheran place of worship in 1575. It is known for its exceptional acoustics and late-Gothic stained glass.

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