Two days in Colmar in November

Haut-Koenigsbourg Castle! Be sure to stop at "Monkey Mountain" on the way back from the castle where you can hand feed Barbary macaques. You can't walk or bike there from Colmar, but if you don't have a car there is a bus. Check with the TI for directions.

We loved Colmar! On the way (driving from Beaune) we stopped by Eguisheim which I believe is a wine town--cute town but very touristy-but worth a visit. We dropped the car near the airport and saw everything by train. The cathedral in Strasbourg is a must see--very beautiful and impressive. In Colmar there is a covered market that is not to be missed. Also the toy museum was fun. We stayed at the hotel behind the cathedral (and same name has cathedral) and it was a perfect location.

The Unterlinden museum in Colmar is very good, and its Isenheim Altarpiece is an acknowledged masterpiece.

There are many picturesque towns in the area that are accessible by train or (probably more often) by bus. Riquewihr and Kaysersberg are among the most popular. I believe Riquewihr is the most touristy, though that may not be too much of an issue in November.

If you are traveling in late November, there might be a Christmas-market opportunity.

There are really no WW I sites nearby, as Colmar was part of Germany during the war and there was never any significant action nearby. Interesting are the town memorials listing the war dead from each town. All died fighting in the German army. WW II is a different story, as it was the site of the Colmar Pocket battle. There is a small museum in Turckheim, just outside of Colmar dedicated to this event.

During WW1 the French/German border was along the ridge of the Vosges, west of Colmar. The current border between Alsace and the rest of France. There was major trench warfare there. Unlike the mud of the Somme and Northern France, it was fighting in hills to gain the upper ground.
The largest battle was at Hartmannswillerkopf, fighting for control of the eponymous ridge. This is a French National Monument there. Website: http://memorial-hwk.eu/ve/index.php
You will need a car to get there.

Slightly nearer and worth a visit (a lot easier by car) are the little towns along the Route des Vins d'Alsace: Ribeauville, Riquewihr, Kayserberg etc.

Take the wine route through the charming villages of Kaysersberg, Riquewehr, Eguisheim, Obernai. One shopkeeper in Kaysersberg was so excited that we were from the US as our soldiers had saved his family during WWII.

I recall a war museum in the area. Not sure if it was WWI or II? Probably WWII because I think it was mostly tunnels and artillery. I'm a history buff but primarily 15th century or earlier so I didn't visit. I liked the castle and the small towns are really nice. I skipped the monkey mountain. It will be chilly when you are there, so dress for cold and wet.

These would be Maginot Line fortifications, the most extensive and best preserved with tours are north of Strasbourg by Wissembourg. There is also a preserved German pre-WW I fortification west of Strasbourg. I believe tours have to be arranged in advance as it is preserved by a group of hobbyists.

Sam - must be Fort Mutzig: http://www.fort-mutzig.eu/ (you can select English) Certainly worth to combine with a visit to Strasbourg. Obernai is worth a stop underway, as well as nearby Boersch and Kanton Rosheim, but have no experience with the fort.

Renting a car will give the most flexibility. Both Kaysersberg and Riquewihr are nice but very touristy, but think not so much in November especially during the week. Nevertheless you have there the usual abundance of restaurants, souvenir shops etc. and have lost in my eyes their innocence. I don’t want to discourage you to visit them, but just driving/walking through Kintzheim on the way to Kaysersberg has kept it’s character better is worth the little effort. The same for Bergheim not too far from Riquewhir but likely too far away.

These places well to combine with a visit to Haut-Koenigsbourg during a daytrip.

Just back from Colmar

wonderful place. The Underlinten Museum is fantastic. Great restaurant Winstub Schwendl. For a wonderful day trip take the bus to Kaysersburg and taste wine at Cavaeau des Vignerons,and also enjoy walking around in this lovely town with many interesting shops

Mike
DC