5 Must-Sees in Colmar

With its story-book good looks, Colmar is also blessed with a rich mixture of culture and history.

1. MUSÉE UNTERLINDEN

Home to the Isenheim Altarpiece, painted by Matthias Grünewald and sculpted by Nikolaus Hagenauer, this world-class museum is admired for both the altarpiece and its standout collection of medieval and Renaissance artworks from the upper Rhine Valley, all housed in a beautifully modernised 13th-century Dominican convent. There’s also an excellent modern collection and a courtyard café.

2. DOMINICAN LIBRARY AND CLOISTERS

Once the home of a powerful order of Dominican nuns, this serenely beautiful building now houses the library, whose outstanding collection includes hand-printed and illuminated books dating back through the centuries to before the dawn of printing, as well as notable contemporary works.

3. PETITE VENISE

Lined with richly-coloured half-timbered houses, this charming quay along the Lauch River is the town’s most picturesque district and that’s saying a lot in Colmar. There are some excellent restaurants along the canal where you can watch the wooden barques. drift lazily along before hopping aboard one yourself.

4. NOTABLE HOUSES

Maison Pfister, Maison des Têtes, the Koifhus and the Former Guardhouse are the standouts in a town. loaded with architectural marvels. Though you’re limited to viewing the exteriors, there’s lots to be observed about the bourgeoisie of the day.

5. COVERED MARKET

Besides its picturesque setting on the canal at the entryway to Petite Venise, the market is the place to stock up on Alsatian specialities and grab a bite at one of the café stands. You can also dine on a terrace overlooking the river, but get there by late morning for lunch if you don’t feel like standing in line. The market is open all day five days a week, a half day on Sundays and is closed on Mondays.

From France Today Magazine