Colmar Things to Do Tips by dinhyen

The water tower

This may be the only Gothic water tower anywhere.

Directions: Corner of Av Raymond Poincare and Av Georges Clemenceau

La Fontaine Bruat Fountains/ Statues Review

Work by Bartholdi and Choain commemorating the commander of the French fleet during the Crimean war. The statues at the foot of the fountain represent Africans and Oceanians.

Fontaine Roesselmann Fountains/ Statues Review

This fountain, at the corner of Rue Turenne and Rue Du Manege, features a statue of a 13th-century provost of the city. This is another work by Bartholdi.

Unterlinden Museum Museums Review

The Unterlinden Museum is the most well-known attraction in Colmar. Housed in a former convent of the Dominicans (a religious order known for its austerity), the Unterlinden Museum contains an impressive collection of medieval religious paintings, many exhibits of local life, as well as many more modern paintings and even Roman artifacts. Its centerpiece is the dramatic 16-century Issenheim Alterpiece by Matthias Gruenewald. Other exhbits include an impressive armor collection. While I was here there were also several amazing engravings by Martin Schongauer.

Directions: In front of the Tourist Information Office in Place Unterlinden. Entrance fee 7 Euros, 5 Euros if you're under 30.

Très Petite Venise Petite Venise Review

Calling Colmar's canal district Petite Venise is more affectionate than accurate, since it consists of only a few canals and quais. Visitors can even ride on a "Petite Gondole", in reality small canoes with an electric motor. It is undeniably picturesque, however. The real Venise would be hard-pressed to come up with more charming facades of colorful half-timbered houses.

La Maison des Têtes House of Heads Review

The House of Heads is everybody's favorite Colmar attraction. The fascinating looking building was built in 1609 by an affluent merchant, who later became the town's mayor. The gable is topped with a statue of an Alsatian cooper by Bartholdi.

Directions: Rue des Têtes

Frédéric Auguste Barholdi Fountains/ Statues Review

Barholdi is Colmar's most well-known son. His Statue of Liberty was dedicated on October 28, 1886, as a gift of friendship from France to the US. In Colmar you can visit the Barholdi Museum as well as the the house where he was born. There also many public works by Barholdi, notably the statue of General Rapp and Bruat Fountain in Place Rapp.