✨ Enchanté, Colmar! My Fairytale Escape in France 🍁
During a recent work trip to France, I decided to treat myself to a week-long holiday after a demanding project. Initially, the plan was to explore Paris and then hop over to Germany, Luxembourg, Belgium, and the Netherlands before returning to Lille for work. But fate had other plans! One beautiful day, while scrolling through Instagram, I stumbled upon Colmar, and it instantly landed on my bucket list. That's where my love story with this "Little Venice" began! 😉
Colmar, nestled in northeastern France, is a town in the Alsace region – the third largest in the area. It also sits along the famous Route du Vin (Wine Route), encompassing key cities like Strasbourg, Colmar, Eguisheim, and Riquewihr. A visit to Colmar isn't complete without experiencing Petite Venise – Little Venice. Just as the name suggests, Petite Venise is a charming area, stretching from Marché Couvert, past Quai de la Poissonnerie, and up to Saint-Pierre Street. This neighborhood boasts quaint canals and tiny houses, and I – a wide-eyed traveler – felt like I'd stepped into a real-life fairy tale. 🤩
Getting Around: Choo-Choo or Bus? 🚌 ➡️ 🚂
There are several ways to reach Colmar from Paris. If you're on a budget, night buses from FLIXBUS or ISILINES are a great option, costing around €22-€25 (check goeuro.com). The journey takes about 8 hours. Alternatively, the TGV (high-speed train) is pricier but gets you to Colmar in just 2.5 hours. I opted for the TGV because, for me, time is money! It's more comfortable and allows you to explore more. Speaking of which, I have a funny (and costly) story to share – a lesson learned for future trips! I booked a TGV ticket with OUIGO more than a week in advance for only €39. OUIGO has only one daily departure to Colmar from Gare de l'Est at 9:25 AM. The day before, I spent the day sightseeing in Paris and was too tired to double-check my ticket, mistakenly believing the train departed at 11:00 AM. Long story short, I arrived late, had to buy a last-minute ticket for a painful €105! 😭 So, that made my trip to Colmar even more valuable! The cost of getting there could have easily funded a week-long trip to Thailand! 😅
Where to Crash: Cozy Colmar Accommodations 😴
Arriving in Colmar at 7:30 PM, I headed straight to my hotel to check in and unwind before exploring Colmar by night. Hotels in central Colmar can be quite expensive. I chose Brit Hotel Primo Colmar Centre because it's conveniently located near both the train station and the city center, costing €56 per night. Exhausted from a day of walking in Paris, I decided to unpack, shower, and get some rest before venturing out to explore the town.
Eat, Play, Love: Colmar Adventures! 🍷 ➡️ 🌮
Colmar at night is truly magical! Twinkling lights, restaurants lining the canals shimmering in the water, and charming streets with colorful houses. While strolling around, I stumbled upon a wine bar inside an old building. The friendly French bartender poured me a glass of Rosé d'Alsace 2017. Sipping wine by the La Lauch River under the cool night air was heartwarming and blissful! Seriously, the wine here is incredible! Back in Lille, my colleagues confirmed that white wine is a regional specialty. After soaking up the Colmar night air, I headed back to the hotel. Feeling peckish, I randomly discovered a Kebab shop, which seemed like a traditional family-run business. After the helpful owner's recommendation, I ordered a Tacos Kebab for €4.5. And let me tell you, it was worth every penny! The wrap was huge and delicious – I can't even describe it! A satisfying end to the evening! 😄
Even breathing in the morning air in Colmar feels like a feast! While wandering around, I discovered a cute little bakery and chocolate shop. I decided to have breakfast there. I had a croissant and a Bretzels – another regional specialty. However, I didn't enjoy the Bretzels as much because they were too salty – like really salty sea salt! 😖 I was so thirsty afterwards! Colmar is also famous for Choucroute, but sadly, I didn't know about it until I returned to France. My colleagues suggested buying canned versions from the supermarket to try back in Vietnam. Next time! I continued exploring the small streets, snapping photos, and waited for 10:00 AM to visit the Marché Couvert farmers market. Marché Couvert was built between 1863 and 1865 by architect Louis-Michel Boltz and opens at 10:00 AM. Located near Petite Venise, the market sells all kinds of fruits, vegetables, canned goods, and locally produced wines. Seeing the mint, basil, plump red tomatoes, and cute little beets ignited my passion for cooking! I wanted to buy everything, but without a kitchen, it would have been pointless. 😭 But I did buy delicious and affordable fresh milk – if I remember correctly, it was only €1.50 per liter.
Colmar is known as one of the most beautiful villages in France, located about 64 km southwest of Strasbourg – the capital of the Alsace region. Colmar is famous for its Christmas market during the festive season. However, they sell Christmas decorations all year round in shops, just not as magical as during Christmas. I visited in the summer, so I didn't experience the Christmas atmosphere.
In Colmar, you'll notice that most houses are built from wood and meticulously maintained with square windows. Each house is painted in a different color, making Colmar even more charming.
Colmar has two iconic symbols: First, the stork: In Western culture, storks represent good luck, prosperity, and wealth. They are also believed to deliver newborn babies to their parents and families. If you've seen the movie "Storks," you'll understand this symbol even better. Second, Mr. Bartholdi: Remember the Statue of Liberty in New York, gifted by France? Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi, a Colmar resident, was the sculptor who created this masterpiece. There's a small museum dedicated to him, showcasing images and items related to his work and life. A miniature Statue of Liberty replica stands on the highway leading into Colmar. Within the town, many construction sites feature his statues, and there's a street named after him.
Colmar is small, so you can explore the entire town in just one day. However, I chose to stay for two days and one night to fully enjoy the nighttime atmosphere of Colmar.
Yeahhh! 🎉 A perfect and meaningful destination in my life! If I have the chance, I'll return during Christmas to experience the full Christmas atmosphere here. 😘
Book your Colmar, France hotel here: https://www.booking.com/city/fr/colmar.en.html?aid=2176036&no_rooms=1&group_adults=2
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