We have previously noted how incredibly beautiful and special the town of Colmar is: a border city in France that is sandwiched physically and culturally between France, Germany, and Switzerland. The capital of the Alsacian wine region, it is surrounded by vineyards and lush rural landscapes, and it is famously pretty, with cobbled streets, colourful half-timbered houses, and the beloved “Little Venice” district of the town. Little Venice is exactly what it says on the tin, a little version of Venice that is made up if pretty little houses in different shades that once reflected the occupations and trades of their inhabitants, clustered along a canal that cuts through the town. So, you can imagine just how cute the town is on a daily basis. Now give that a Christmas makeover and add a few Christmas markets and just picture it. Sounds pretty magical, right? Well, on top of that there are plenty of other reasons why you should pick Colmar for a winter getaway in France. Looking to get away this Holiday Season, well, here are five great reasons to find a vacation rental in Colmar this year.
1. The Food
As with any place where there is a blending of cultures, you can generally expect some delicious foods that take the best of the various cuisines and combine them to delicious results. Colmar boasts lots of tasty things to eat. Among them some highlights include: mannele, which are delicious little man-shaped brioche breads that have raisins or chocolate chips for eyes and are often eaten with hot chocolate; bredele, traditional dry cookies that can be star, bell, and heart-shaped and cinnamon, vanilla, anise, and other flavours; pain d’epices, a spiced bread similar to gingerbread that is sweeter, with orange notes; kugelhopf, Alsace’s most famous bell-shaped cake that is topped with nuts and sugar; and mulled wine. Get all of these guys at market stalls throughout town or in local bakeries and enjoy the delicious Christmas treats that Colmar has to offer.
2. The Lights
The ornaments that adorn Colmar for the Holiday Season are incredible and turn the cute buildings into real gingerbread houses that are like a storybook come to life but it is the lights that are the real icing on the cake. In some places, the lights are multi-coloured, flashing and eye-catching and inspire festive excitement. In other areas they are soft, white, and evoke stars casting a peaceful glow of a calmer kind of yuletide. Certain parts of the city, like Little Venice, are illuminated with projections of advent calendars, twinkling stars, and winter scenes, creating a real sense of magic. The combination of these different kinds of lights all ensure a very special festive experience of the city.
As with any place where there is a blending of cultures, you can generally expect some delicious foods that take the best of the various cuisines and combine them to delicious results. Colmar boasts lots of tasty things to eat. Among them some highlights include: mannele, which are delicious little man-shaped brioche breads that have raisins or chocolate chips for eyes and are often eaten with hot chocolate; bredele, traditional dry cookies that can be star, bell, and heart-shaped and cinnamon, vanilla, anise, and other flavours; pain d’epices, a spiced bread similar to gingerbread that is sweeter, with orange notes; kugelhopf, Alsace’s most famous bell-shaped cake that is topped with nuts and sugar; and mulled wine. Get all of these guys at market stalls throughout town or in local bakeries and enjoy the delicious Christmas treats that Colmar has to offer.
2. The Lights
The ornaments that adorn Colmar for the Holiday Season are incredible and turn the cute buildings into real gingerbread houses that are like a storybook come to life but it is the lights that are the real icing on the cake. In some places, the lights are multi-coloured, flashing and eye-catching and inspire festive excitement. In other areas they are soft, white, and evoke stars casting a peaceful glow of a calmer kind of yuletide. Certain parts of the city, like Little Venice, are illuminated with projections of advent calendars, twinkling stars, and winter scenes, creating a real sense of magic. The combination of these different kinds of lights all ensure a very special festive experience of the city.
3. The Markets
There are six Christmas markets in Colmar, officially, which run from the end of November through to the end of December and are all located along a 1km stretch in the city. This includes the markets at Place de Dominicains, Place de la Cathedrale, Place Jeanne d’Arc, Place de l’Ancienne Douane, the Koifhus Indoor Market, and Little Venice. The market at Place de la Cathedrale is home to the gourmet market and is where you should go for treats to eat as you explore as well as artisanal products such as smoked pork, foie gras, oysters, spaetzli, mushrooms, and local wines. The Koifuhus (Custom House) Indoor Market is where you should go if you are interested in handmade local crafts and antiques with lots of interesting works of art, jewellery, items of clothing and more. The market in Little Venice, meanwhile, boats rides for kids, a nativity scene, and Santa’s mailbox. However, all of the markets will have a great range of various local food products, snacks, trinkets, ornaments, and more to browse.
4. The Toy Museum
Remember when the excitement of Christmas was all about toys? Well, relive that and delight the little ones by bringing them to the Toy Museum. Kids can enjoy the video games, puzzles, and the large train that circles the place and you can take in an exhibition of various Barbie dolls from throughout the years, old board games, vintage toy, and more.
5. The Music
Various events and concerts take place throughout the town. Try and catch one of the Christmas concerts at the sanctuary of Saint Matthieu’s Church, or the illuminated boats in Little Venice, or any one of the many other venues throughout town.
So, if you’re looking for somewhere great to spend Christmas, just find a vacation rental in Colmar and get planning a trip this year to experience the magic of it all for yourself!
There are six Christmas markets in Colmar, officially, which run from the end of November through to the end of December and are all located along a 1km stretch in the city. This includes the markets at Place de Dominicains, Place de la Cathedrale, Place Jeanne d’Arc, Place de l’Ancienne Douane, the Koifhus Indoor Market, and Little Venice. The market at Place de la Cathedrale is home to the gourmet market and is where you should go for treats to eat as you explore as well as artisanal products such as smoked pork, foie gras, oysters, spaetzli, mushrooms, and local wines. The Koifuhus (Custom House) Indoor Market is where you should go if you are interested in handmade local crafts and antiques with lots of interesting works of art, jewellery, items of clothing and more. The market in Little Venice, meanwhile, boats rides for kids, a nativity scene, and Santa’s mailbox. However, all of the markets will have a great range of various local food products, snacks, trinkets, ornaments, and more to browse.
4. The Toy Museum
Remember when the excitement of Christmas was all about toys? Well, relive that and delight the little ones by bringing them to the Toy Museum. Kids can enjoy the video games, puzzles, and the large train that circles the place and you can take in an exhibition of various Barbie dolls from throughout the years, old board games, vintage toy, and more.
5. The Music
Various events and concerts take place throughout the town. Try and catch one of the Christmas concerts at the sanctuary of Saint Matthieu’s Church, or the illuminated boats in Little Venice, or any one of the many other venues throughout town.
So, if you’re looking for somewhere great to spend Christmas, just find a vacation rental in Colmar and get planning a trip this year to experience the magic of it all for yourself!
