Colmar’s Old Town is a fine example of a European city that has preserved its architectural identity over centuries. From medieval merchant houses to Gothic churches and Renaissance civic buildings, the town’s streets reveal Alsace’s complex past at every turn.

We visited Colmar during our month-long stay in Strasbourg. In this post, we explore Colmar’s history and why its historic center remains one of the most visually distinct in France.

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Colmar’s history reflects centuries of shifting empires, commercial growth, and cultural exchange. From its origins in the early Middle Ages to its role in regional politics and Franco-German transitions, the city’s past is preserved in its architecture and urban layout.

Colmar is first recorded in 823 as Columbarium in a decree by Emperor Louis the Pious. During this period, the settlement was largely rural, with wooden structures and agricultural estates shaping its layout.

Colmar was elevated to the status of Imperial Free City in the 13th century, giving it autonomy within the Holy Roman Empire. In 1354, it joined the Décapole, a defensive and economic alliance of ten Alsatian cities. Religious orders such as the Dominicans and Franciscans established monasteries and churches that still stand today.

This was Colmar’s golden age, marked by prosperity in viticulture, textile production, and regional trade. Major civic buildings were constructed during this time, including the Koïfhus (Old Customs House, 1480) and Maison Pfister (1537). Many wealthy merchant families commissioned richly decorated homes that now define the city’s architectural profile.

Colmar became part of France in 1678 under Louis XIV but continued to develop its own civic identity. The Maison des Têtes (1609) and Hôtel de Ville (1782) reflect evolving architectural tastes—from German Renaissance to French Classicism. In 1698, Colmar was named the judicial capital of Alsace.

Following the Franco-Prussian War, Colmar was annexed by the German Empire in 1871 and remained so until the end of World War I, when it returned to France. During World War II, it was occupied by Nazi Germany until its liberation in February 1945 after the Battle of the Colmar Pocket.

Despite multiple regime changes and wartime occupations, Colmar’s medieval and Renaissance core remained largely intact. Today, it is celebrated for its layered history, German-French cultural fusion, and remarkably preserved architectural heritage.

Colmar’s architecture spans over eight centuries, blending Germanic and French styles across religious, civic, and domestic buildings. From Gothic churches to Renaissance merchant houses and timber-framed quarters, the city’s structures reflect its layered political and cultural history.

Gothic architecture emerged in Colmar during its time as an Imperial Free City. Key examples include:

• Église Saint-Martin (1234–1365): A prime example of Alsatian Gothic design, featuring pointed arches, ribbed vaults, and a Renaissance steeple added in 1572.
• Koïfhus (Old Customs House) (1480): Primarily Gothic with elements of early Renaissance, it served as a commercial and political hub.

These buildings reflect the rise of ecclesiastical and civic power during the late medieval period.

With economic prosperity in the 16th century, Colmar saw a flourish of Renaissance-inspired architecture:

• Maison Pfister (1537): Perhaps Colmar’s most iconic building, combining late Gothic structure with Renaissance decorative details—painted façades, turrets, and carved wooden oriels.
• Maison des Chevaliers de Saint-Jean (1608): Blends Renaissance style with Alsatian timber-framing.
• Maison des Têtes (1609): Built for a wealthy merchant, it features 106 sculpted heads across its façade and classical symmetry with ornate stonework.

These buildings mark a shift toward more secular, decorative urban architecture tied to merchant wealth.

As Colmar became part of France in 1678, French stylistic influences appeared:

• Ancien Hôpital Civil (1736–1744): A French Classical building with restrained elegance and balanced proportions.
• Hôtel de Ville (Town Hall) (1782): Neoclassical structure with an orderly façade, designed by architect Gabriel Ignace Ritter.

These structures emphasize formal symmetry and civic authority under French rule.

Colmar is renowned for its half-timbered (colombage) houses—found especially in the Tanners’ District (Quartier des Tanneurs) and Little Venice (Petite Venise). Many of these:

• Date back to the 14th–18th centuries
• Feature overhanging upper stories, exposed wooden frames, and colorful plaster infill
• Were restored extensively from 1968–1974 to preserve their original character

This style defines Colmar’s domestic architecture and reflects its Germanic cultural roots.

Though less dominant than earlier periods, 19th-century architecture introduced:

• Théâtre Municipal de Colmar (1849): A civic theater in a Neo-Classical style, restored in 2000.
• Neo-Baroque elements in the former public baths, later incorporated into the Unterlinden Museum expansion.

These additions reflect modernization and civic growth during the Second Empire and Third Republic eras.

Modern interventions in Colmar focus on adaptive reuse and respectful expansion:

• Unterlinden Museum Expansion (2009–2015): Designed by Herzog & de Meuron, the project connects medieval cloisters to a converted 1906 bathhouse using understated contemporary design.

This style prioritizes integration with historic surroundings while expanding functionality for cultural use.

From medieval guildhalls to Neo-Baroque markets, Colmar’s Old Town is dense with architectural landmarks. This section highlights the city’s most significant civic, religious, and residential structures—each reflecting the layered history of Alsace.

• Architect: Not documented
• Style: 15th-century half-timbered house
• Year Built: 1435
• Address: 34 Rue des Marchands, 68000 Colmar

This medieval timber-framed residence once belonged to the painter Caspar Isenmann, who likely taught Martin Schongauer and created works still displayed in the Unterlinden Museum. It stands as one of Colmar’s oldest preserved domestic structures.

• Architect: Unknown
• Style: Late‑Gothic/early Renaissance Alsatian half‑timbered house, featuring arched entrances and overhanging upper floors
• Year Built: Late 15th century, with modifications in the 17th and 18th centuries
• Address: 36 Rue des Marchands (at the corner with Rue Schongauer), 68000 Colmar

The Maison Schongauer is one of Colmar’s oldest preserved buildings. It originally belonged to the family of the famed painter and engraver Martin Schongauer, who acquired it in 1477 to establish his workshop, though he did not reside there. The building features a ground-floor arcade, three overhanging upper storeys, a double-gabled roof, and richly carved Gothic elements—especially on the Rue Schongauer façade, where two ornate entrance portals—one with intricate foliage and a floral finial—testify to its craftsmanship.

• Architect: Built by Claus Sattmann; partially rebuilt after collapse in 1586
• Style: Half-timbered medieval townhouse with carved detail
• Year: Reconstructed in 1588; corner post from 1609
• Address: 9 Rue des Marchands, 68000 Colmar

Renovated after collapse, this timber-framed house is noted for a sculpted corner post depicting a draper holding a cloth-measuring rod. It connects to the cathedral square via a narrow historic passage.

• Architect: André Sandherr
• Style: 17th-century townhouse with Baroque elements
• Year Built: Rebuilt in 1668 (date on the oriel)
• Address: 36 Grand-Rue, 68000 Colmar

Built on the site of “Au Lion Rouge,” the house features an ornate corner oriel supported by sculpted consoles and a unique stylized roof decoration—a whimsical faîtage sculpture—indicative of mid‑17th‑century bourgeois design.

• Architect: Not specified
• Style: Renaissance townhouse with sculptural courtyard elements
• Year Built: 1566
• Address: 12 Rue Berthe-Molly (formerly Rue des Juifs), 68000 Colmar

Featuring a richly carved Renaissance portal and an octagonal turret, this home once hosted Voltaire for over a year in the mid-18th century. Its gallery on the courtyard and stone embellishments highlight the craftsmanship of the period.

aka Collégiale Saint‑Martin

• Architects: Master Humbret (initial construction), completed by Guillaume de Marbourg (d. 1366)
• Style: Gothic with a Renaissance steeple; features a Baroque organ
• Years Built: Between 1235 and 1365; lantern-style steeple added after a fire in 1572
• Address: 18 Pl. de la Cathédrale, 68000 Colmar

Colmar’s principal Gothic church, built on earlier Carolingian and Romanesque foundations found during 1972 excavations. Its multi-colored Vosges sandstone façade and distinctive tiled roof make it a landmark. Inside, visitors find an ambulatory choir, richly sculpted tympana, and a historic Baroque organ case.

Église des Dominicains

• Architect: Rodolphe de Habsbourg
• Style: Gothic, with 14th-century stained glass and Baroque choir stalls
• Years Built: Began circa 1289; chœur before 1300; nave completed by 1346
• Address: 3 Pl. des Dominicains, 68000 Colmar

Former Dominican convent and church, now housing the municipal library and heritage exhibits. The church contains Martin Schongauer’s “Madonna of the Rose Bower” and an original Gothic cloister.

• Architect: Unknown
• Style: Gothic–Renaissance with murals and stained glass
• Years Built: 13th century
• Address: 3 Grand Rue, 68000 Colmar

Features a mix of Gothic and Renaissance artistry in its stained glass and mural paintings, complemented by a wooden and painted ceiling.

Couvent des Antonins

• Architect: Unknown
• Style: Gothic cloister and convent architecture
• Years Built: 13th century
• Address: Pl. des Unterlinden, 68000 Colmar

Originally a convent complex, the cloister now forms part of the Unterlinden Museum, home to the famous Isenheim Altarpiece. The museum blends medieval and modern design, including an extension by Herzog & de Meuron.

aka Couvent Sainte‑Catherine

• Architect: Not specified
• Style: Gothic with a unique openwork spire
• Year Built: Completed in 1371 (nave finalized in 1436)
• Address: 1 Pl. Sainte-Catherine, 68000 Colmar

Once a Dominican convent, now repurposed for cultural uses including as a festival venue and office space. The spire and chapel retain Gothic architectural character.

• Architect: Not specified
• Style: Classicist (Jesuit chapel)
• Years Built: 1742–1750
• Address: 6 Bd du Général Leclerc, 68000 Colmar

A former Jesuit college chapel, reflecting restrained classical design from the mid-18th century.

• Architect: Unknown
• Style: Neoclassical
• Year Built: 1843
• Address: 3 Rue de la Cigogne, 68000 Colmar

Still functioning as a synagogue, this mid-19th-century building contributes to the religious architectural diversity of Colmar’s historical center.

• Architect: Not specified
• Style: Medieval vault architecture—robust, functional design typical of 14th-century granaries.
• Year Built: 14th century (medieval period)
• Address: Rue des Marchands, Old Town, Colmar

Originally built to serve the Unterlinden convent as a large granary (~1,000 m²), it was later used by the city as storage for firefighting equipment. Now recognized as a protected historical monument since 1991, the structure remains visible from the street and evokes Colmar’s medieval urban fabric.

Ancienne Douane

• Architect: Not documented
• Style: Gothic–Renaissance
• Year Built: 1480; expanded added in 16th–17th centuries
• Address: 29 Grand‑Rue, Place de l’Ancienne Douane, 68000 Colmar

Colmar’s oldest public building, used historically as customs warehouse at ground level and meeting hall for the Décapole at the upper floor. Notable for its ornate portals and glazed tile roof; restored in the late 19th century and again in 2002.

• Architect: Albrecht (Albert) Schmidt
• Style: German Renaissance
• Year Built: 1609
• Address: 19 Rue des Têtes, 68000 Colmar

Commissioned by merchant Anton Burger, the house is distinguished by 106 sculpted grotesque heads on its façade and a three‑storey oriel. A bronze cooper statue by Bartholdi was added in 1902.

• Architect: Not available
• Style: German Renaissance
• Year Built: 1537
• Address: 11 Rue des Marchands, 68000 Colmar

Famous for its frescoed façade, timber-framed oriel, and turret; an early example of Renaissance civic architecture in Colmar.

• Architect: Unknown
• Style: German Gothic
• Year Built: 14th century
• Address: 16 Pl. de la Cathédrale, 68000 Colmar

One of the oldest surviving residences in Colmar—typifies early German Gothic domestic architecture.

• Architect: Unknown
• Style: Renaissance
• Year Built: 1575
• Address: 17 Pl. de la Cathédrale, 68000 Colmar

Former guardhouse, emblematic of Renaissance civic architecture.

Maison des Chevaliers de Saint‑Jean

• Architect: Unknown
• Style: Renaissance
• Year Built: 1608
• Address: 3 Rue Saint-Jean, 68000 Colmar

Residence linked to the Knights of Saint John; Renaissance-era architectural features.

• Architect: Unknown
• Style: Baroque
• Year Built: 1626
• Address: 7 Rue Vauban, 68000 Colmar

Guildhall of the Ploughmen’s Guild; a fine example of Baroque civic architecture.

(now Médiathèque)

• Architect: Unknown
• Style: French Classicism
• Year Built: 1736–1744
• Address: Pl. du 2 Février, 68000 Colmar

Former hospital built in classical French style, repurposed as Colmar’s municipal library.

Hôtel de Ville

• Architect: Unknown
• Style: French Classicism
• Year Built: 1790 (some sources note 1782)
• Address: 48 Rue des Clefs, 68000 Colmar

Neoclassical municipal building, signifying French civic order and local government.

Tribunal de Grande Instance

• Architect: Unknown
• Style: French Classicism
• Year Built: 1771
• Address: 58 Grand Rue, 68000 Colmar

Regional law court under classical French design.

• Architect: Unknown
• Style: French Neoclassical
• Year Built: 1849
• Address: 3 Rue des Unterlinden, 68000 Colmar

Town theatre designed in a classical idiom, restored around 2000.

Marché Couvert

• Architect: Unknown
• Style: French Neo-Baroque
• Year Built: 1865
• Address: 13 Rue des Écoles, 68000 Colmar

Cast-iron market hall still in active use—a 19th-century commercial structure.

Gare SNCF

• Architect: Unknown
• Style: German Neo-Baroque
• Year Built: 1905
• Address: 9 Pl. de la Gare, 68000 Colmar

Railway station from early 20th century with Neo-Baroque architectural elements.

Cour d’Appel

• Architect: Unknown
• Style: German Neo-Baroque
• Year Built: 1906
• Address: 9 Av. Raymond Poincaré, 68000 Colmar

Appellate court building reflecting German Neo-Baroque civic style.

Former Protestant Presbytery

• Architect: Albert Schmidt
• Style: Renaissance (implied)
• Year Built: Unknown
• Address: 13 Grand Rue, 68000 Colmar

Associated with Albert Schmidt (also architect of Maison des Têtes), this presbytery includes arcaded elements and historic relevance.

Petite Venise

• Style & Period: Cluster of picturesque half-timbered canal‑side houses built between the 14th and 18th centuries, painted in Alsatian colors
• Setting: Located in the Krutenau district, extending from the covered market along the Quai de la Poissonnerie toward the Saint‑Pierre bridge

Named for its canal-lined streets and vibrant façades, it’s where medieval merchants lived and transported goods via boat. Today, it’s a popular picturesque area with traditional boat tours and cafés reflecting both utility and charm.

Quartier des Tanneurs

• Style & Period: Cluster of tall half‑timbered houses dating largely from the 17th and 18th centuries
• Restoration: Meticulously restored between 1968 and 1974 under the general heritage inventory, with 33 properties addressed and 27 fully restored
• Location: Central Old Town; includes Rue des Tanneurs and Petite Rue des Tanneurs alongside the Lauch river

Originally home to tanning families who used the ventilated upper stories to dry hides. Today, the district’s exposed timber framing, steep roofs, colorful façades, and artisan-filled streets offer a vivid, lived-in glimpse into Colmar’s past.

• Style & Period: Half-timbered houses lining the canals, historically linked to trade in fish and maritime produce
• Restoration: Much of the district’s historic character was restored in the late 20th century—particularly following a destructive fire in 1706
• Location: Situated between the Tanner’s District and Little Venice, around the Quai de la Poissonnerie

A quaint quarter of cobbled streets and canals, the Fishmonger’s District reflects the functional and communal architecture central to the medieval trade economy.

Château d’Eau

• Architect: Victor Huen (City Architect)
• Engineer: Heinrich Grüner (Swiss engineer)
• Style: German Neo‑Gothic, featuring pointed arches, machicolations, corbels, rusticated stonework, and ornamented façades typical of late 19th‑century industrial architecture
• Years Built: 1884–1886
• Address: Avenue Raymond Poincaré, 68000 Colmar

Height & Capacity: Approximately 53 meters tall with a shaft diameter around 12.3 meters; held approximately 1,200 m³ of water

This imposing Neo‑Gothic structure stands upon one of Colmar’s highest points and served crucially in supplying regulated drinking water from 1886 until decommissioning in 1984. Its exterior features remarkable Gothic detailing—including pointed arches and corbels—over rusticated masonry. During its period of disuse, the tower temporarily housed collections from the Natural History and Ethnography Museum (1959–1985). Declared a monument historique in 1993, it remains the oldest preserved water tower in Alsace.

• Architect: Not specified; originally an 18th-century townhouse with earlier Renaissance arcades found during restoration
• Style: Georgian townhouse with Renaissance remnants
• Year Established as Museum: Since 1922
• Address: 30 rue des Marchands, 68000 Colmar

The childhood home of sculptor Auguste Bartholdi, transformed into a museum dedicated to his life and work. Exhibits include personal memorabilia, works, and a section on Jewish heritage. It retains architectural elements like Renaissance arcades beneath later classical veneers.

A self-guided walking tour is the best way to explore Colmar’s compact Old Town. In just a few hours, you can visit Gothic churches, Renaissance houses, canal-side districts, and key civic buildings—all within a short distance of each other.

This route follows the town’s historical development, with stops at major landmarks and lesser-known sites that highlight the architectural diversity of Alsace.

Colmar is easily walkable. If you have limited time, we suggest visiting the recommended sites in the following order:

• Court of Appeal
• Water Tower
• The House of the St. John’s Knights
• Law Court
• Koïfhus
• Maison Schongauer
• Maison Pfister
• Maison zum Kragen
• Ancien Corps de Garde
• Musée Bartholdi
• Maison Adolph
• Église Saint‑Martin
• Grenier Médiéval
• Maison Wildungshof
• Dominican Church
• Maison des Têtes
• Église Sainte‑Catherine
• Théâtre Municipal
• Unterlinden Museum Cloister
• Town Hall
• Poêle des Laboureurs (Guildhall)
• Synagogue of Colmar
• Ancien Hôpital
• Église Saint‑Matthieu
• House of Arcades
• Maison Sandherr
• Tanner’s District
• Covered Market Hall
• Fishmonger’s District
• Little Venice
• Chapelle Saint‑Pierre

Below is a map of this walking tour that starts and ends at the Colmar Trian Station.

Colmar is well connected to Strasbourg by high-speed train, regional rail, bus, and road, making it an easy destination for a day trip or weekend visit.

The fastest and most convenient option is the regional TER train:

• Duration: 30 to 40 minutes
• Frequency: Departures every 30 to 60 minutes throughout the day
• Departure Station: Gare de Strasbourg
• Arrival Station: Gare de Colmar (a 10-minute walk from the Old Town)

Tickets can be purchased at the station or online via SNCF Connect.

FlixBus and BlaBlaCar Bus offer occasional direct services:

• Duration: Around 1.5 hours

Note: Less frequent than trains; check schedules in advance

Colmar is about 75 km south of Strasbourg via the A35 motorway:

• Driving Time: Approximately 1 hour
• Route: Follow the A35 southbound, then take exit 23 for Colmar Centre

Paid parking is available around the city center, including underground garages and surface lots.

Book accommodation in or near the historic center to explore most attractions on foot. The Old Town is entirely walkable, and staying nearby allows easy access to landmarks like Little Venice, Saint-Martin Church, and the covered market without needing a car.

Colmar is popular with day-trippers, especially on weekends and holidays. For a more relaxed experience, plan your visit between Tuesday and Thursday when the streets and museums are less crowded.

Arrive before 10:00 am to enjoy quieter streets, especially in photogenic areas like Little Venice and the Tanner’s District. Morning is also the best time for canal reflections and unobstructed views of architectural details.

The Colmar City Pass offers discounts on museum entries and guided tours, making it ideal for travelers interested in culture and architecture. It’s available at the tourist office and includes a detailed map and suggested routes.

Look for tarte flambée, choucroute garnie, and regional wines like Pinot Gris at traditional winstubs. Many restaurants in Colmar serve Alsatian classics with seasonal ingredients from local markets.

Many museums in Colmar, including the Unterlinden Museum and Musée Bartholdi, are closed on Tuesdays. Always check opening hours in advance, especially outside the high season or during holidays.

The cobbled lanes, stone stairways, and narrow alleys of Colmar require durable, supportive shoes. Avoid heels or slick soles—especially if you’re planning to explore on foot all day.

Morning sunlight enhances the warm tones of Colmar’s pastel façades and timber-framed houses. Early hours also offer softer shadows and fewer crowds in popular photo spots like the canals and squares.

Colmar is well connected by TER regional trains to Strasbourg, Mulhouse, and smaller wine villages like Eguisheim. The station is just a 10-minute walk from the Old Town, making it an ideal base for exploring Alsace.

Yes, Colmar is absolutely worth visiting for its preserved medieval Old Town, colorful half-timbered houses, canal-side streets, and Alsatian wine culture. It’s one of the most picturesque towns in France and offers rich architecture, regional cuisine, and easy access to the Alsace Wine Route.

Colmar is famous for its well-preserved Old Town, timber-framed architecture, and role as the “capital of Alsatian wine.” It’s also known as the birthplace of Auguste Bartholdi, sculptor of the Statue of Liberty, and for housing the Isenheim Altarpiece at the Unterlinden Museum.

Nearby towns include Eguisheim (7 km), Kaysersberg (12 km), and Riquewihr (17 km), all part of the Alsace Wine Route. Colmar is also just 75 km south of Strasbourg and easily accessible by train or car.

Colmar is nicknamed “Little Venice” because of its canal-lined district where pastel-colored houses reflect in the Lauch River. This area, once used by fishmongers and tanners, offers romantic boat rides and some of the most photographed scenes in Alsace.

The most charming times to visit are spring (April–June) and autumn (September–October). Days are pleasantly warm for strolling, foliage is vibrant, and vineyards are enchanting during harvest. The town truly shines during the Christmas market, running from early Advent through late December, when the Old Town transforms into a festive wonderland adorned with lights, chalets, and carolers along the canals.

One full day in Colmar lets you explore the Old Town, enjoy a museum visit (like the Unterlinden), and take a relaxed canal ride. For a more leisurely trip that includes wine tasting or nearby Alsatian villages like Eguisheim and Kaysersberg, consider 2 to 3 days.

Colmar’s central location along the Alsace Wine Route makes it a convenient hub for exploring nearby medieval villages and vineyards. Its well-connected train service, charming pedestrian-friendly Old Town, and varied lodging options make it ideal for day trips or extended stays.

Colmar is about 75 km south of Strasbourg—roughly a 30‑minute train ride—or a similar distance from Basel, Switzerland, which is approximately 45 minutes by train.

The closest airport is EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg (BSL). From there, Colmar is accessible via direct train—typically under an hour—making it a practical international entry point.