Yes, I am going to Colmar in July. Somehow, I got the impression Paris would be crazy and a small town on the border would be nicer. That was before I read 100 posts that said "great place after the tour buses have left."
So, given that I am there for 4 nights, any recommendations about day trips? Or unpopular but not-to-be-missed sights/experiences? Gardens? Monasteries? Lavender fields? Interesting communes?
I personally enjoy Colmar; I'm usually there once a year for work and yes, it's touristy, but it can still be cute! This year we had lunch at la Cocotte de Grand-mère and picked up treats after at the Maison Alsacienne de Biscuiterie, both lovely spots.
I just posted some ideas on another thread, but long story short: I find Hartsmannswillerkopf very moving, enjoy Haut-Koenigsbourg castle, and a little further you've got Basel and Freiburg. Freiburg has a fun feel about it and is interesting if you can contrast the Vauban neighborhood (eco-friendly everything) with the historic center. Freiburg also has a fun foodhall (Markthalle) and I just love having an ice cream on the cathedral square.
We were in Colmar for 4 nights in 2014 and enjoyed it. :)
Eguisheim is an extremely cute story-book town. If you like storks and other little animals, Hunawihr has a stork and otter park. Enjoy!
We just were in Colmar for 4 nights. Fabulous little city lots to see and explore. its not overly busy. All the Alsace town are visited by tour buses. We rented a car one day and would highly recommend that. so much fun easy driving and easy access to other towns.
Kaysersberg was our favorite. quaint pretty city with interesting castle.
Nice market and restaurants. nice museums and shopping. We really enjoyed Colmar and the surrounding area
Monty, I wouldn't describe Colmar as "on the border", it is a long way from the border. You absolutely need to vist the wine villages along the "Route de Vin d'Alsace", Kaysersberg and the others.
If you have a car, visit Château du Haut-Kœnigsbourg, a castle on a hill overrlooking everywhere.
If you have time for a longer day trip, either Basel (by train) or Freiburg im Breisgau (bus).
And Strasbourg of course.
But you only have 4 days!
Chris F nailed it. Those are great day trips for you, return to Colmar for the evening when it is all yours. It is a delight.
I spent multiple nights in Colmar in 2017 and really enjoyed it. There's interesting architecture well beyond the touristy area.
The Unterlinden Museum is very good; it's not just a place to see the magnificent Isenheim Altarpiece.
I didn't have a car and chose to day-trip to Selestat. It's not one of the cute little wine villages, but for that reason it has essentially no tourists.
Strasbourg is certainly worth a visit, though the historic area may be no less touristy than Colmar's.
I visited via train for a day in Sept. I don’t remember crowds worth mentioning
