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Day trip to Colmar?

Posted by (Stuttgart) on

What sights would you recommend for a short day trip to Colmar or towns to its east?

The last time we went (we live in Germany, so this was just a hop over the border for us), we parked near the train station, enjoyed the misspelled German on the signs, wandered around and found a lovely park where there was a magnificent antique carousel, rode the carousel, found an amazing cookie store, bought cookies, enjoyed the canals, hit a grocery store to buy cheese better and cheaper than you can find in Germany (the whole point of the trip, actually), and got food at a really mediocre takeout pizza restaurant on the way home. We ate by a war memorial in a random field.

Things I would like to improve on, for next time:
-- Are there actual points of interest we should make a point of seeing?
-- Good places to eat?
-- Good secondhand stores?
-- Is there a better option for buying good cheese inexpensively that isn't a random grocery store?

Thanks!

Posted by
7606 posts

The museum (Unterlinden) is well worth some time, with some amazing and famous art (most notably Grünewald's incredible Isenheim Altarpiece). Worthwhile even for those who "aren't really into museums so much."

Posted by
2483 posts

I've bought cheeses and other stuff (smoked duck breast, etc.) in the covered market in Colmar. Not always the least expensive, but I usually just look for stuff I can't get anywhere else. I usually park by the CGR movie theater and walk into the old town from there. There's a pub/brasserie right there that serves good food. There are some vintage shops, but i can't advise as to how good they are.

Don't do random markets unless you have to. Hit the large Carrefour Colmar Houssen. they have a very extensive selection of cheeses, and just about everything else.

In Late April-early May you want to go see Mont Sainte-Odile. If you have any interest in pottery/cooking ceramics visit Betschdorf.

Posted by
8290 posts

We used Colmar as a base to visit the surrounding area. There was nothing specific in Colmar that we wanted to go into, so we just walked around. A popular area is La Petite Venise and the Old Town.

We stayed at Hotel by the train station and when we didn’t want to walk the mile to old town, we took the free Navette bus from the train station. Its route took 30 minutes, you could get off and on, and was a good way to see the town and sites you may want to revisit,

Posted by
402 posts

The Fromagerie St. Nicolas on the r. des Écoles has wonderful cheeses. They'll pack them for you if you like. Highly recommended. The covered market is nice as well.

Posted by
1647 posts

To be blunt, have you looked at a guidebook to see what might be of interest to you?

In addition to the museums mentioned, there is a toy museum and a chocolate museum and a couple wineries right in town.

Several good wine shops sell cheese. I have no idea of the pricing.

Best tarte flambée in town is at la Soï.

Enjoy your day in Colmar!

Posted by
30014 posts

As I recall, the local tourist office rented a good audio guide back in 2016.

Posted by
16553 posts

I enjoyed following most of the Tourist Information Office Tourist trail that is on this map:

https://reservation.tourisme-colmar.com/medias/documents/documentation/documentation-PLANCOLMAR-UK.pdf

Each stop had a QR code on a signboard so you could get extra information about the site.

The next day I was tired and wanted to sit down a bit so took the tourist train which I do not recommend. Most of the really interesting sites are on the pedestrian streets so not accessible with the train.

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