Nearby is the 14th-century Maison Adolph, the town's oldest surviving private house.

Another important historic monument on the Place de la Cathédrale is the Ancien Corps de Garde (Former Guard House) which has served many purposes, from a marketplace building to a justice hall and military housing. This blog © French Moments, 2012-2020 • All Rights Reserved • Developed by, Discover the Formidable Fortified Town of Briançon, The French Countryside: A Discovery Guide, What Is Germany In French: A Little Guide, Explore the English village of Burwash, East Sussex, 3 Ideas for Day Trips in the Paris Region, The favourite village of the French people in 2020. The decorations, on the other hand, were of Renaissance style and included paintings adorning its facades, depicting the emperors of the Holy Roman Empire from the 16th century, the four evangelists, church fathers, allegorical figures and biblical scenes and characters. As this is not the first time you are here, you may be interested in downloading the guide "20 Amazing Offbeat Places in Paris". From here, it's an easy walk to most of the top attractions, including the Musée Unterlinden, Eglise des Dominicains, Koïfhus, and Little Venice. This 15th-century building was once the economic and political center of Colmar. The passageway, pierced with arcades, also contains a few boutiques. , Grussenheim The treatment of skins necessitated a nearby water source that was reserved for the tanners work in order to avoid pollution and bad smells reaching the rest of the city.

On this square is the Collégiale Saint-Martin (Saint-Martin Collegiate Church), originally a Gothic church that was largely rebuilt in the 18th century. He would have lived in the “Huselin zum Schwan” (little swan house) from 1477 to 1490, on the corner of Rue Schongauer and Rue des Marchands.

It is now France’s most visited Museum of Fine Arts, after those of Paris. The imposing building of the Old Customs House (or Koifhus – Ancienne Douane in French), covered in glazed tiles, is a mecca of political and economic history of the Colmar old town. Despite its name, the Knights of Saint John Hospitaller never had anything to do with the order. Alsace / CFAI Alsace centre de Colmar, Système U /

50 Beautiful Photos Of Rural France To Cheer You Up! Rue Mercière, Colmar old town © French Moments. Rue des marchands and Saint-Martin collegiate church, Colmar old town © French Moments.

The statues on the central box are only visible at Saint Anthony’s Feast. France in Pictures: 20 Beautiful Places to Photograph, 28 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Paris, 15 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in France, 17 Top-Rated Alsace Villages & Medieval Towns, 16 Top Tourist Attractions in Basel & Easy Day Trips, 18 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Strasbourg, 14 Top-Rated Attractions & Places to Visit in the Black Forest, 14 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Baden-Baden, 10 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Nancy, From Zurich to Rhine Falls: 3 Best Ways to Get There, From Zurich to Mount Titlis: 3 Best Ways to Get There, Where to Stay in Zurich: Best Areas & Hotels, 15 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Zürich, 14 Top-Rated Attractions & Places to Visit in Lorraine, 18 Top Tourist Attractions in Bern & Easy Day Trips, 16 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Lucerne, Where to Stay in Lucerne: Best Areas & Hotels, 10 Best Places to Visit in Oregon in Winter, 19 Best Places to Visit in the United States, 11 Best Luxury All-Inclusive Resorts in the World. Inside, you get a strong sense of elevation, thanks to the long pillars without capitals that support the length of the nave.

Next, stroll along the Rue des Boulangers (Bakers' street) and the Rue des Serruriers (Locksmiths' Street) to admire the picturesque half-timbered houses. The museum's contemporary art collection includes Picasso, Léger, Rouault, Mathieu, Vasarely, and Braque. Tall, straight half-timbered houses from the 17th and 18th centuries are surmounted by attics that were used to dry the skins. The Tanners’ district in Colmar Old Town © French Moments. In Place du 2 Février, the huge Old Hospital building was built in the 18th century and served as a central hospital until 1937. The first floor is devoted to Alsatian toys, furniture, and decorative objects (porcelain, faience, stained glass, and prints). This exceptional museum is located in the former Dominican convent that dates back to the 13th century, with a beautifully preserved double-arcaded cloister. , Wintzenheim, Quartiers de la commune : Be sure to stop in front of 19 Rue des Têtes, to see the Maison des Têtes (the "House of Heads"). This Alsatian oddity explains the presence of two bell towers on the roof of the building; one for the Protestants and one for the Catholics. Baloise / The museum displays collections of popular and decorative art from Alsace and the Upper Rhine, dating from the Middle Ages through to the Renaissance, as well as c… Some blog posts and pages may contain affiliate or sponsored links. Liked it?

Blending medieval and Renaissance styles, this building is one of the finest old houses in Colmar. From the Koïfhus, visitors can easily reach the Grand Rue, one of the town's main thoroughfares that is lined with shops and restaurants. The town's fascinating cultural heritage is visible in its lovely residential houses as well as in the Catholic, Protestant, and Dominican houses of worship. Go down Rue des Marchands to reach the Old Customs House. On the cathedral square, Adolf House (1350) is the oldest house in Colmar. Colmar is blessed with a mild semi-continental climate and the unspoiled natural surroundings of the Upper Rhine Valley that is lush with pristine forests and lakes. On the Rue des Marchands is the Bartholdi Museum that displays mementos of the famous sculptor Auguste Bartholdi who was born here.

The best area to stay in Colmar is near the Old Town, with its quaint cobbled streets and old burghers' houses. The altarpiece depicts the Virgin and child seated before a rose flower on a gold background, with two angels holding his crown. Rouffach / The museum also has a lapidary collection, as well as religious art. The Tanners’ District is bordered by the mills canal, surrounded to the west by the Rue des Tanneurs and to the east by the Petite Rue de Tanneurs. This remarkable house of Rhineland Renaissance style was built in 1609 on behalf of the wealthy merchant, Anton Burger. Share your experience in the comment box below!

The home was built in 1537 for Ludwig Scherer, a hatter who made his fortune in money trading.

The portals, however, do contain some beautiful carvings. There is an entry fee for the church (1.50 euros for adults, and 0.50 euro for children).

He grew up in France and Germany and has also lived in Australia and England. The stunning view of the district from the Saint-Pierre Bridge, to the far south of Little Venice, is one of the most photographed views of Colmar. This magnificent Renaissance building was the residence of the pastor of the Parish of Colmar (Presbyterian). Colmar has remained relatively unchanged over the centuries, and wandering the ancient quarters takes visitors on a pleasant journey back in time. The formidable story behind the French croissant.

On the corner opposite Rue Schongauer and Rue des Marchands is another building, which also belonged to the family of a painter: the Maison à la Viole. Thanks for visiting! The building has an oriel window, where the decisions of the town council used to be announced.

The building is now occupied by a five-star hotel with a renowned gastronomic restaurant. The Maison Adolph also graces the square at 16 Place de la Cathédrale. In 2015, the museum expanded its gallery space with an adjoining building that occupies the town's former municipal baths. Hôpital Schweitzer / If you're new here, you may be interested in downloading the guide "20 Amazing Offbeat Places in Paris". On the Place de la Cathédrale in the center of Colmar's Old Town, the Saint Martin Collegiate Church is a wonderful example of Gothic architecture. This church was once Colmar's Protestant house of worship. The Decapolis (la Décapole). A must-see attraction nearby is the Maison Pfister at the corner of the Rue Mercière and the Rue des Marchands. © Copyright 2020 PlanetWare Inc. All rights reserved. Click here to get your free copy now!

Beside the Pfister House, the Zum Kragen House features a polychrome wooden statue depicting a bearded Renaissance character. Turn back around towards the Old Customs House. The Decapolis was defined by a military alliance and, something especially rare at the time, a financial mutual aid in the event of bankruptcy. Pass in front of the Schwendi Fountain and along the small canal in Rue des Tanneurs.