[2024 Colmar Attraction] Travel Guide for Little Venice (Updated Sep)
No.2 of Best Things to Do in Grand Est
Historical Sites
Featured Neighborhoods
Address:
Quai de la Poissonnerie, 68000, Colmar, France
Opening times:
Open year round, 24/7Open
Recommended sightseeing time:
1-2 hours
Phone:
+33 3 89 20 68 92
France 🇫🇷 have another Romantic Town named Colmar.
#francetrip
Different from the scenery of big cities in Europe, the small town of Colmar in France is more like a mini fairy tale world. This is the place where Sophie and Hal meet in Hayao Miyazaki's Moving Castle, and the hometown of Baltoldi, the author of the Statue of Liberty.
The architectural soul of the whole town is a wooden house built in the 17th and 18th centuries. Cut the wood neatly and build it into a wooden frame. The connection of the wooden strips does not need a nail. After setting up the shelf, the mixture of soil and grass stem is filled into the wall. Finally, the wall is coated with bright colours such as pink, grass green, sky blue, jujube red, etc., which has both the beauty of German lines and the unique romantic colours of France. The brightly coloured wooden tendon house is like a palette next to the clear river. Because it is very watery, the southeast corner is called "Xiaowei" Nice.
In Little Venice, people living here seem to have a natural preference for flowers. Every small bridge, every dock, and every family near the river bank are decorated with flowers. Locals use a flatboat similar to a Venetian gondola as a means of transportation, which is located next to the canal.
NomadicRH
A French fairy tale town, it's like stepping into Howl's Moving Castle
✨A French fairy tale town, it's like stepping into Howl's Moving Castle✨
🪄When you see the town in this picture, do you feel a sense of déjà vu? If you are familiar with Hayao Miyazaki's work 'Howl's Moving Castle', then this scene will not be unfamiliar to you😉. Remember when Sophie was walking alone on the path, being teased by two soldiers, and Howl descended from the sky like a hero🕺, with blond hair and blue eyes, wearing a cloak, appearing beside Sophie. He took Sophie dancing in the air above the town, lightly stepping over the rooftops, overlooking the entire town, everything was dreamily beautiful💕.
👧The most impressive to me was the scene where they danced in the air🎈, those rows of pointed timber-framed houses, scattered in an orderly fashion, looking down from above, both romantic and spectacular🎆. And this scene is not a figment of Grandpa Miyazaki's imagination, its prototype is the town of Colmar on the Alsace Wine Route in France! Compare the pictures, isn't it almost identical😲! Those timber-framed houses are just like two peas in a pod! Here, it seems that you can see Howl carrying Sophie flying over the rooftops🕊️!
🏡Over the past millennium, the Alsace region has changed hands between France and Germany several times, its history is an epic of German-French contradictions and integration📚. Speaking of Alsace, does it feel familiar to you🤔? Let's read the text below together and see if it can evoke fragments of your memory📃:
'After the grammar lesson, we started the handwriting class📝. That day, Mr. Hamel gave us new copybooks, all with beautiful round script: 'France' 'Alsace' 'France' 'Alsace'. These copybooks hung on the iron rods of our desks, like many small national flags fluttering in the classroom🚩. Everyone was so focused, the classroom was unbelievably quiet🎵!'
'The Last Lesson' cast a melancholic and solemn hue over Alsace😢. But in fact, before the 17th century, the Alsace region belonged to the Holy Roman Empire (the predecessor of Germany), and people mainly spoke German📄. After the famous Thirty Years' War in Europe, Alsace came under French rule. And in the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-1871, France was defeated, and Alsace belonged to Prussia, until Germany was defeated in World War II, Alsace returned to the arms of France💪, and formed the current border between the two countries along the Rhine River🗺️.
📖If cities can also be mixed-race, then Colmar is undoubtedly a beautiful town with German-French mixed blood🌸. Carefully calculated, this place belonged to Germany for a longer time than it belonged to France. This also explains why Colmar's architectural style is full of Germanic charm🏰, those timber-framed houses and the magnificent Gothic churches with pointed spires all bear strong Germanic marks🎨, as well as many street names with German suffixes and the dialect mixed with German and French, all have a reasonable explanation🤝.
✨Colmar also has many attractions worth visiting🎡, such as the Little Venice area, where the waterways crisscross, and the colorful timber-framed houses are reflected in the water, picturesque🖼️; there is also the Unterlinden Museum, which displays the rich history and culture of the Alsace region📜; and the Saint Martin Church, whose towering spires and exquisite carvings are awe-inspiring👏. Come to Colmar and experience the unique charm of this fairy tale town💖!
Aiden.Roberts@63
The fairy-tale town with beautiful houses
At the heart of the Alsace Wine Route, Colmar is very well located and while it may not be the capital of Alsace, it remains one of its top tourist destinations. The Colmar Little Venice district in the old town gathers colourful half-timbered houses neatly lining cobblestone streets and walkways, set along a peaceful canal. The name “Little Venice” generally refers to a particular spot in the center. It is an old and picturesque area where the canals that cross the city are concentrated. Here every house has a different color and visitors are immersed in a fairy-tale world.
#bucketlistreboot
winter167
Colmar Town - Known as the 'Franco-German Hybrid'
Colmar Town is located in the Alsace region of northeastern France, with a long history and unique culture. Its historical background is deeply influenced by both France and Germany, having changed hands multiple times, earning it the nickname 'Franco-German Hybrid'. As early as before the 17th century, Colmar belonged to the predecessor of Germany - the Holy Roman Empire. Subsequently, due to historical events such as the Thirty Years' War, Colmar came under French rule. During the Franco-Prussian War and the two World Wars, Colmar changed rulers multiple times until it finally belonged to France after World War II. Despite the ravages of war, most of Colmar's ancient monuments remain intact, especially the colorful half-timbered houses from the 16th century, which have become the iconic buildings of this city.
Wanderer123%
Colmar, France | A fairy tale of a small town at sunset
| A fairy tale of a small town at sunset. The soft twilight light spills over the buildings of Colmar, enveloping the entire town in the fairy tale of the setting sun.
Strolling through the narrow streets,
the unique romantic charm of the town of Colmar hits you in the face.
After nightfall, Colmar becomes even more enchanting.
The nights here are not silent, with music performances often taking place in the squares.
Walking to the canal side, with small bridges over flowing water,
the lights reflect warmly in the clear water, forming a warm reflection that flows into the fairy tale of the century.
Photo-worthy spots:
Bistrot des Lavandières, the filming location of 'A Bite of China 2'②Little Venice
Not far from the Chinese restaurant, boasting beautiful riverside views, personally I find it more beautiful than Venice.3 Colmar Old Town
The old town has many Alsatian-style 'half-timbered houses', all very photogenic!
4 Maison Pfister
The inspiration for 'Howl's Moving Castle', and also the reason many people visit Colmar.
5 Fishmonger's Dock quai de la poissonnerie6 Brasserie des Tanneurs
7 Bartholdi Museum Musée Bartholdi
ColmarLittleVenice
MALCOLM RYAN
Stepping into the world created by Hayao Miyazaki, it's not just a few streets, but a whole town of fairy tales
🏰 After watching 'Howl's Moving Castle' for the Nth time, I finally arrived in Colmar. This place even more realistically restores the fairy tale town than I imagined
🏠 Colmar is part of the Alsace region, with its typical half-timbered house structure. The neatly arranged houses undulate in height and vary in color, giving the entire city a playful and cute impression
🩵 The bustling pedestrian streets and the tranquil museums are overwhelming. Let me, Xiao Ou, share with you one by one the super cost-effective places and tips in Colmar
1️⃣ Bibliothèque des Dominicains
An old monastery converted into a library and museum of ancient books, the second-floor library retains the exposed beams of the monastery roof. The monastery's inner courtyard on the first floor has preserved its century-old appearance, and I highly recommend that friends go there
2️⃣ Sightseeing Train
🚞 Runs every half hour, lasting 40 minutes. For 7.5 euros, you can connect all the scenic spots of the entire town in one go, and the headphones on the train will automatically introduce each spot when you arrive, remember to switch to channel 5 for Chinese!
3️⃣ Toy Museum
🤖 Dedicated to collecting toys from various eras, the diverse and vivid collection attracts toy enthusiasts. Highly recommended for families with children, there is also a voice-controlled train inside, which is very cute
4️⃣ Little Venice
🏞️ As the name suggests, it's very much like Venice! The row of colorful houses on both sides of the canal is very photogenic
5️⃣ Traditional Indoor Market
🥦 Includes a comprehensive market with more than twenty vendors offering vegetables, fruits, dairy products, and restaurants. To understand a city, go to its market
6️⃣ Chocolate Museum
🍫 Have you seen sculptures, cars, and clothes made of chocolate? The entire chocolate production process is also here. The ticket even includes two delicious chocolates!
🍽️ Delicious Recommendations
◽️Chez Hansi
A traditional Alsatian restaurant, I recommend their choucroute royale, which is served with great ceremony. The German sauerkraut paired with smoked sausages and more, tastes amazing
◽️ Restaurant Pfeffel
The restaurant is a beautiful standalone half-timbered house in the city center. Whether you have a drink here or a big knuckle, it's very Alsatian
Ps. It is recommended to book the restaurant in advance
The Culinary Pilgrim
The 'fairy tale town' in France is too photogenic
Located on the border of northeastern France and Germany, the small town of Colmar, known as the 'Little Venice of France', is where the male and female protagonists of Hayao Miyazaki's 'Howl's Moving Castle' first met, and where the 'Chinese Restaurant 2' program was filmed. With increasing exposure, Colmar has become a fairy tale town that travelers yearn for.
Colmar retains the 16th-century architectural style - half-timbered houses, multifaceted roofs built of wood, unique design and color matching, each reflecting the owner's personal taste.
The Lauch River, a tributary of the Ill River, quietly flows through Colmar, and the clear river water washes away the impetuous dust. 'Little Venice of France' is not an undeserved reputation. Small bridges and flowing water, quiet narrow lanes, allowing flat-bottomed boats to glide gently.
The owners of Colmar are also very French romantic, where the eyes go, all are beautiful flowers embellished. 🌼
Colorful wooden houses, gurgling water, paddling boats, competing flowers... Isn't this a fairy tale world?
Enter the fairy tale world, with the scenery like an oil painting, you don't even need to dress up carefully, the moment you press the shutter, you are the person jumping into the painting!
PRISCILLA OLSON
🌟 Colmar Christmas Market: A Holiday Extravaganza in the Heart of Alsace 🇫🇷🎄
🏘️ Nestled in the enchanting region of Alsace, Colmar boasts a Christmas market that has become a cherished tradition. Running from November to the end of December, this market is renowned for its heartwarming and charming atmosphere, making it a must-visit destination during the holiday season.
🎅 The Colmar Christmas Market is a festive wonderland, with its cobblestone streets and half-timbered houses adorned in twinkling lights and festive decorations. Stroll through the market, and you'll be captivated by the aroma of roasted chestnuts, mulled wine, and delectable Alsatian pastries.
🎁 As you explore the market's stalls, you'll discover unique handcrafted gifts, ornaments, and local specialties that make for perfect holiday souvenirs. The market's cozy atmosphere and the friendliness of the locals add to the magic of the experience.
⛄ For a truly unforgettable moment, don't miss the lighting ceremony, where the town square is illuminated with a dazzling display of lights. The Christmas parades, live music, and the arrival of Santa Claus himself all add to the festive spirit.
🏰 While in Colmar, take the opportunity to explore the town's historic charm, with its canals, bridges, and picturesque architecture. You'll feel like you've stepped into a fairy tale.
🌲 In conclusion, if you're yearning for a magical holiday experience, make sure to include a visit to the Colmar Christmas Market in your travel plans. It's a place where cherished memories are made, and the spirit of Christmas truly comes to life. 🌟
ruyakilinc
Trip.com Influencer_EN
Little Venice
Tempat romantis terakhir yang bisa menjadi alternatif pilihan wisata Anda adalah Little Venice. Little Venice ini berlokasikan di Colmar. Jika Anda berkunjung ke tempat ini, Anda akan disambut dengan pemandangan bangunan dengan gaya arsitektur lama dan dinding dengan penuh warna yang beraneka ragam.
Di tempat ini terdapat kanal yang menjadi daya tarik para wisatawan. Anda bisa menyewa perahu untuk menyusuri kanal sembari melihat keindahan bangunan di sekelilingnya. Ketika Anda menyusuri kanal, Anda akan serasa berada di Perancis pada masa lampau. Suasana yang indah dan romantis ini menjadi salah satu tempat yang wajib Anda kunjungi bersama pasangan.