Colmar France

Colmar is in the Alsace region. It is filled with many medieval and early Renaissance buildings. The city is filled with streets that have a lot of twists and turns. It was hit hard in both world wars and has restored its buildings.

The historic houses are half-timbered. Many have flower boxes in the window during the summer.

From mid-May to mid-September you can watch Alsatian folk dances on Tuesday evening at place de l'Ancienne-Douane.

There are a number of sights in the city:

Musee d'Unterlinden: The museum is a former Dominican convent. It was converted to a museum in 1850. It contains a number of religious artifacts including Issendeim Altarpiece painted by Matthias Grunewald around 1515.

Musee Bartholdi: The actual home of the sculptor of the Statue of Liberty, Frederic-Auguste Bartholdi is a museum. The collection includes plans and scale models of the statue along with other works.

When you are ready to shop, head for the old town along the rue de Clefs, Grand Rue, and rue des Marchands. There are a large number of antique shops along rue des Marchands.

If you are looking for wine, Colmar is one of the places to buy a selection of the region's wines. It is the gateway into the wine-producing Rhine valley region.

There is a historic vineyard nearby if you have a car. Domainer Schlumberger at Guebwilles is sixteen miles southwest of Colmar. Views of the vineyards and tasting rooms are shown without an appointment. However, tours of the cellar are conducted when a staff member is available. You should call ahead.

Where to stay in the city:

Grand Hotel Bristol: This hotel is located at the train station and features modern decor.

Hostellerie le Marchal: Three sixteenth century houses were joined to form this hotel. Most of the rooms are air-conditioned. The rooms are usually small. There is a restaurant where you can enjoy different views in winter and summer.

Le Colombier: Breakfast is the only meal served. The rooms come in a variety of shapes and sizes and include a bathroom.

Places to eat:

Au Fer Rouge: Located in Colmar's historic area, Au Fer Rouge features scallops, breast of pigeons, and breast of wild duckling.

Maison des Tetes: The dining rooms are decorated with aged-wood beams and paneling with Art Nouveau lighting. Food includes traditional dishes such as foie gras, sauerkraut, roasted duck, and fresh fish.

Auberge de l'Ill: Located eleven miles from Colmar in Illhaeusern, this is one of France's finest restaurants. It is a family-run restaurant and offers the best of the Alsatian cuisine specialties. The restaurant is in what was once the family's nineteenth century farmhouse and is furnished with antiques. There is a small hotel attached to the restaurant.

After dinner:

There are a number of clubs, cafes, and dance halls where you can listen to blues and jazz or two-step or line dance to country music or boogie the night away.