Colmar: The most Alsatian of towns

Colmar is the epitome of Alsace. This town of over 65,000 inhabitants has all the makings of a picturesque little village. It's hard to beat the warmth and charm of the "French Venice". Its half-timbered houses combined with its many canals make it a real haven of peace!

The "most beautiful city in the world", according to Georges Duhamel, was founded in the 9th century and has had its share of setbacks. Fires, bubonic plague, uprisings against the royal families... During the Second World War, it experienced an intense period of Nazification, which was valiantly slowed down by numerous pockets of resistance. In the 1960s, the town took off with the construction of a port and an airfield. A few years later, it became the scene of France's Woodstock, where thousands of peace fighters turned out to see Pink Floyd in concert.

These twelve centuries of history have given the town an architectural heritage that is unique in Alsace. The Maison Adolph and the Ancienne Douane are perfect examples of the kind of architecture that has been preserved over time to embellish the town with a classical-medieval atmosphere. The Renaissance also has a place of honour, with the Pfister house and the Maison des Têtes, one of the finest bourgeois homes in the département.

Not to be outdone, Colmar also boasts a gastronomy not to be missed. Alsatian recipes have been refined over the years to produce hearty dishes that are a delight on cold winter evenings. It was here, for example, that foie gras was invented and that the best choucroutes, Kougelhopfs and the unmissable bæckeofe are produced. The wines have nothing to be ashamed of, as they are also emblematic of the region, such as Gewurztraminer and Edelzwicker.

Colmar's Christmas Markets are among the most famous in the region. There are six of them, offering top-quality local produce and fine crafts, all in the spirit of the festive season. In summer, a stroll through the Petite Venise district is a must. Trade in your car for a bicycle, or simply use your legs - the area is best enjoyed by taking your time. It's a romantic stroll that's hard to miss. Petite Venise is not to be missed. With the Lauch River running through it, this is a very pleasant area in which to make the most of the typical Alsatian atmosphere.

Rue des Marchands is home to many of the city's finest bourgeois houses. Its two superstars are the Pfister house and the Chez Hansi house. The former, built in the 16th century, combines stone and wood, while the latter commemorates the Duke of Austria's intervention against an uprising of noble families in 1538.

Colmar also boasts a number of fine religious buildings, including the Dominican Church and the Unterlinden monastery, now a museum. Here you can admire works of art from medieval Alsace.