Happy Tuesday! My husband and I are doing a quick trip in early December to France ( We have been a few times before.) to check out some Christmas markets. We will be basing in Colmar for four nights and then will head to Paris for another four. We will be taking the train from CDG via Strasbourg to Colmar. We had planned on checking out Colmar some that evening on arrival and one day to train to Strausbourg. I would think we will want at least one other day in Colmar. That leaves us with one full day to explore some of the little towns on the Route du Vin. I saw that last year they had a shuttle that ran on Friday -Sunday. Thinking of looking into that or renting a car for 24 hours. Seems there is a lot for parking right by our Airbnb or if they have after hours drop off that could be a possibility. Looks like there is an Avis by the train station. Would love your feedback.
Posted by
Boston
311 posts
The only thing I'd say is to remember in your planning that the Christmas markets in Colmar close at 7 during the week and 8 pm on weekends. Restaurants remain open but that's it. And it becomes a ghost town. It's truly quiet at night.
You can take local buses to Eguisheim, Riquewihr and Kayserberg, which is where the shuttles go on weekends, as well as a lot of others. Renting a car isn't necessary unless you want to for other reasons.
Posted by
OP
Orlando FL
246 posts
Thanks HappyToBeHere. Appreciate your feedback. We picked Colmar because it was smaller. I won’t lie that I struggled a lot with the Strasbourg vs Colmar base but being in closer access to the Route du Vin won me over. I had red that the normal bus service can be a bit spotty which is why I was thinking of the car. We only have three full days and one full day will be in Strasbourg so I want to make sure we are utilizing our time well.
Posted by
Boston
311 posts
Well, fwiw, I like Colmar better than Strasbourg. But you'll have as many who prefer Strasbourg, so I don't think you can go wrong.
And just on the off chance your airbnb is located near or in Place Joan d'Arc in Colmar, do avoid the Claude Kraetz bakery. Find any other bakery in Colmar, just don't waste your money there.
Posted by
OP
Orlando FL
246 posts
Thanks for the heads up regarding the bakery. The Airbnb is off Rue des Tanneurs. I normally like hotels for shorter trips but o didn’t find one that I was particularly thrilled with.
Posted by
Boston
311 posts
I stayed on the r. des Tanneurs on my second stay in Colmar. It’s an excellent location, very (!) near the Christmas market. I think you’ll be happy there.
Posted by
Chicagoland
996 posts
I spent a week in Colmar October 2022. Evenings are great when the day trippers are gone. For a casual dinner of excellent Tarte Flambé book a table at the very popular La Soï.
If your interested in a day tour to some of the wine villages, I can recommend L'Alsaciette. They do small group and private tours. Some tours include wineries, castle visit, WWII sights and more.
Turckheim can be reached by a short bus or train ride. The other villages have bus or train service from Colmar, though not as frequent.
Posted by
OP
Orlando FL
246 posts
jeanm- Thank you for the suggestions especially L’Alsaciette. They look great and I will be touching base with them!
Posted by
Alsenborn, Germany
2111 posts
The Christmas markets in Strasbourg are much larger, and stay open later in the evening, than Colmar's.
Posted by
OP
Orlando FL
246 posts
Thanks KGC- Yes I know. I think we will make a full day of it there and possibly stay later. It gets dark so early we will have plenty of time to see the lights until we head back to Colmar.
As far as the car goes I had thought of renting it for two days to allow one morning out to return to Colmar for the afternoon and another full day. Still mulling it over.