Colmar in winter, what to see at Christmas beyond the markets in the beautiful city of Alsace, read the post and book your holiday in France in December.
We are Colmar, Alsace. Look at the facades of this pretty French town, aren't they fairytale? Imagine them with flowered windowsills, with the colors and scents of spring. Fantastic isn't it? Now, instead, close your eyes and imagine it in winter perhaps in December, with the windows decorated with Christmas decorations, lights, Christmas gingles, the buzz of the markets and the scent of mulled wine.
Colmar if it is adorable in the summer, a Christmas instead it is perfect! The shape of the alleys, the half-timbered houses with pointed roofs, the shop windows of the taverns and the cobbled streets blend perfectly with the Christmas atmosphere. In addition, the long canal and some large squares located in the historic center of Colmar allow the installation of various thematic markets, allowing Christmas to take on a dimension I could say "all Alsatian". The Christmas markets in the city of Colmar are in total 5, all with the fantastic backdrop of architectural heritage, lights, concerts and themed events.
The medieval Place des Dominicains it hosts 65 stands at the foot of the imposing Dominican Church whose stained glass windows are skilfully illuminated. Typical products such as hand-made potpourri holders, scale reproductions of half-timbered houses or crochet work with the stork (the symbol of Alsace) as a protagonist, are a nice souvenir to take home.
50 are instead the stalls housed in the ancient Piazza della Dogana Vecchia that of the Koifhus building, inside which there will be a further exhibition of antiques market with masters of the art of carpentry, jewelry, glassware etc.
In Place Jeanne d'Arc instead, the products of the Alsatian gastronomic tradition are exhibited including many types of sweets, spiced breads, choucroute dishes and the renowned tarte flambée, all washed down with spiced wine or jus de pomme, the very fragrant hot apple juice enriched with honey.
Il Children's market at the Petite Venise instead it is the thematic market dedicated to children, with colorful houses, traditional games, wooden rides and many delicious delicacies.
To finish a Place Rapp the fairytale Christmas of Colmar takes the form of a winter scenario made up of chalets, fir trees and the immense illuminated skating rink that, in the past centuries, was literally created from nothing, only by scattering on the ground the water that froze in the cold.
All five of Colmar's Christmas markets are linked by the common thread of Path of Light, an evocative artistic installation of lights that guide the visitor to discover the 5 locations, all easily reachable on foot.
In addition to the markets Colmar in winter allows many alternatives "indoors" with a museum offer of extreme importance such as theUnterlinden Museum, even called the Alsatian Louvre, or the hilarious toy museum. The winter gastronomic offer in Alsace is highly appreciated: the warmth given by the inns and the typical taverns is the must of winter in Colmar, absolutely obligatory after a visit to the markets. You can warm up with an Alsatian fondue, a dish of meat cooked in a flavored broth or with a glass of wine declined in each magnificent version, thanks to the centuries-old tradition offered by the Route des Vins d'Alsace.
