How to Visit the Colmar Christmas Markets in Alsace, France
Colmar is the capital of the Alsace wine region in the southeast of France and one of the most charming destinations in all the world. With its cobblestone streets, half-timbered buildings, and flower-lined Lauch River, there is so much draw no matter the season. However, at Christmas, Colmar’s festive decor and bustling Christmas Markets make it an even-more-so irresistible stop for visitors to the region.
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Above photo: Grand Rue, Colmar with view of Église Saint-Matthieu
I’ve made several trips to the European Christmas Markets over the years and have learned a lot! The Alsace region ranks amongst the best. Nearly every little town has its own market, each with its own personality and specialties. If you are planning a trip to Alsace, Colmar is a favorite and well-worth adding to your itinerary.
In this post, I will cover everything you need to know about planning a visit to the Colmar Christmas Markets including lodging, things to do, navigating the markets, and other day trips.
- Where we stayed
- Things to do in Colmar
- The Colmar Christmas Markets
- Day trips from Colmar
- A Christmas Market Story
- Other travel tips
Where we stayed
The main point to stress when deciding to book your accommodations for Colmar is to book early for Christmas season travel. Colmar’s popularity continues to reach new heights every year. Despite whatever photos you’ve seen of empty cobblestone streets against backgrounds of pastel colored houses and teddy bears, the truth is that Colmar is inundated with visitors during the month of December. It will be bustling!
Colmar is a relatively small town. From the main train station, the town center and hotels are within easy walking distance. I searched Orbitz for my dates and found a lot of great choices. We selected Hôtel Le Colombier, just a short walk from Little Venice, and enjoyed the upscale vibe and proximity to the Christmas Markets.
Above photos: le Colombier Hotel Colmar
Things to do in Colmar
When visiting Colmar during the Christmas Markets, your footsteps will naturally take you around to many other historic squares and attractions. If you show up without a plan, you can simply follow the droves of other people and probably see quite a bit in the compact historic area. But, an organized walking plan will ensure you don’t miss any of the key sights.
Above photos: Architectural detail in old town Colmar
Little Venice (Petite Venise Colmar)
Colmar is best known for its idyllic views of the Lauch River in the Krutenau district, better known as Little Venice. Medieval half-timbered merchant buildings and overflowing flower boxes line the river creating the picturesque views that everyone comes to see. No photo filters needed — this spot is true-to-life picture perfect!
Little Venice starts behind the Old Customs House (Koïfhus) and is instantly recognizable since it is this view that is featured on every tourist brochure for Colmar. Grab your selfie here, but be aware that the spot is usually crowded at all times of the day.
Above photos: Little Venice Colmar
The Fishmonger District (Quai de la Poissonnerie)
The Fishmonger District lies on the southern side of Little Venice at Quai de la Poissonnerie and Rue des Écoles. Once upon a time, this was the place where most of the professional fishermen and boatmen resided. From the bridge, you can also admire the Marché Couvert (covered market building).
Above photo: Fishmonger District
Covered Market (Marché Couvert)
The Covered Market is located just steps from the Fishmongers photo spot. The red brick building housing this foodie paradise dates to 1865 and stands out in contrast to the half-timbered buildings that dominate the architecture in Colmar.
Originally a food market and then used for various other things along the way, it is now back to its original purpose. Approximately 20 different vendors operate stalls, although the market feels much bigger than that. All kinds of produce, meats, cheeses, and other culinary specialties are available. It is a lot of fun to walk through, and perhaps buy something to snack on. I bought a jar of foie gras to take home with me:)
Above photos: Covered Market (Marché Couvert)
Quartier des Tanneurs
On the other side of the Covered Market, Rue des Tanneurs leads visitors into the Quartier des Tanneurs, where tanners used to live and dry their pelts on the upper floors. The district extends from Little Venice up to the Schwendi Fountain. The homes here mostly date to the 17th and 18th centuries and have been beautifully restored to accommodate new residents, restaurants, and shops. We had arrived shortly after a snowfall, which left the rooftops looking like gingerbread creations dusted in icing sugar.
Above photo: Quartier des Tanneurs
Schwendi Fountain (Fontaine Schwendi)
The cobblestone streets of the Quartier des Tanneurs gently curve and open up to Place de l’Ancienne Douane, a popular public square with the landmark Schwendi Fountain. The fountain features a statue of General Lazare Schwendi, a war hero who is credited with bringing back the Tokay grape variety from his station in Hungary.
The fountain is actually a re-build based on the former fountain that was destroyed during WWII. However, the bronze statue of Schwendi is the original creation of Auguste Bartholdi (who also gave us the Statue of Liberty).
Above photos: Schwendi Fountain (left); half-timbered architecture in Place de l’Ancienne Douane
Old Customs House (Place de l’Ancienne Douane / Koïfhus)
The Old Customs House Koïfhus opens to Place de l’Ancianne Doune, the same square graced by the Schwendi Fountain. The wonderful medieval structure is easily recognizable by the patterned green roof tiles. It was once the economic and political center of Colmar, standing at the intersection of Grand Rue and the Rue des Marchands.
The Old Customs House is used for many festivals and temporary exhibitions throughout the year, but of course, it is most picturesque during the Christmas season when it is decorated with garlands and hosts a small Christmas Market on the ground floor.
Above photo: The Old Customs House Koïfhus
St. Martin’s Church (Collégiale Saint-Martin de Colmar)
Saint Martin’s collegiate church is a Gothic church built between 1235 and 1365. For just about anyone who doesn’t know better, it looks like a grand cathedral. I had to do a little research to actually understand what is meant by the term “collegiate.” A collegiate church is one that has been entrusted to a panel of clerics, as opposed to being the seat of a bishop. So, there you go. But, for all other purposes and appreciation of the landmark, it is a gorgeous and grand cathedral-like church.
Above photo: St. Martin’s Church
Maison dite “au Pèlerin”
This stand-out historic house is one of the more Instagram-famous landmarks in Colmar. With its pink facade, half-timbered architecture, and all-out festive decorations, it deserves a bit of attention. The house is located at the intersection of Grand Rue and Place de l’Ancienne Douane, just beside Hôtel Saint-Martin.
Above photo: Maison dite au Pèlerin
Parc du Champ de Mars
We found ourselves in Parc du Champ de Mars by accident as we were trying to make our way to the Dominican Church. The park is located between the train station and Place Rapp — a little outside of the main bustle of the historic area. It is a really lovely place and I’m so glad we had a chance to discover its tree-lined promenade, sculptures, and beautiful fountain.
Above photos: Parc Champ de Mars
On the northern end of the park, you’ll find a carousel, ice skating rink, and a few other tourist attractions. We were here during daylight, but could see that the park was decorated with an impressive light display. If you need a break from the shoulder-to-shoulder crowds, Parc du Champ de Mars is a very nice escape.
Above photos: Parc Champ de Mars (left); General Rapp monument at Place Rapp (right)
Dominican Church (Église des Dominicains)
The Dominican Church is a highlight attraction in Colmar. It dates to the 14th-century, but the building started as early as 1289. The church has an interesting history as a multi-use building, but it is obvious that both the original and current purpose of the building is religious. It is known for its stained glass windows, slender high-vaulted nave, and current home of the Issenheim Altarpiece. However, the church’s pièce de résistance is the Virgin in the Rosebush masterpiece painting by Martin Schongauer.
Above photos: Dominican Church
Statue of Liberty
I vaguely knew that Auguste Bartholdi, who was the designer of the Statue of Liberty, was from the Alsace region of France. But, it nonetheless took me by surprise when we passed the smaller replica of it just outside of Colmar en route to Ribeauvillé. Our driver was kind enough to circle the round-about a couple times so we could get our photos.
Colmar is very proud of their famous sculptor. In addition to the Statue of Liberty, the birthplace of Auguste Bartholdi has been converted into a museum and displays several statues that he created for the town.
Above photos: Statue of Liberty replica in Colmar, France
Colmar Christmas Markets
The Christmas Markets in Colmar are scattered throughout the Old Town center. The stalls are grouped in some of the larger squares and intersections of the meandering, criss-crossed streets, along with carnival rides and vin chaud stands. All markets in Colmar are easily navigated on foot and can be visited in a single day.
Also surrounding these areas are many wonderful boutiques and restaurants that you can wander in-and-out of while shopping the Christmas Market stalls. While you expect the market stalls to be festive, the shops are also decorated to the hilt making the whole thing a completely enchanting experience.
Above photo: Colmar at Christmas
Magic of Christmas
The Magic of Christmas in Colmar is a catch-all for the stalls set-up around the main squares in the Old Town setting. The entire town center is decorated like a dream, evoking storybook nostalgia. Twinkling lights and festive illuminations provide a canopy of warmth and magic. The ambiance is quite intimate compared to the larger markets in Strasbourg and other cities. Perhaps that is why so many families set their sights on Colmar.
Above photo: Colmar Magic of Christmas
Place de l’Ancienne Douane
The market stalls at Place de l’Ancienne Douane are surrounded by some of the most photographed landmarks in Colmar. Hence, there is always a lot of foot traffic through this area. Around 50 white-washed huts circle the Schwendi Fountain and continue on towards the Lauch River. There was an eclectic mix of traditional and modern crafts featured. I also couldn’t help but notice there were cute little gnomes propped up, strung up, and peeking out of branches throughout the area.
Above photos: Place de l’Ancienne Douane Christmas Market
Place de l’Ancienne Douane is especially romantic and full of ambiance in the evening when strings of starry lights twinkle overhead. We walked through this area during the day and again later in the evening, and it had a completely different feel.
Above photos: Colmar Christmas Markets
Artisan Market at Koïfhus
While the Old Customs House (also known as Koïfhus) serves at the backdrop for Place de l’Ancienne Douane, it also hosts its own artisan market inside the medieval building. It is a separate market from the stalls outside in the square, so be sure to go inside! Around 20 highly skilled artists and craftsmen showcase their unique creations including glass, jewelry, pottery, ceramics, and wood carvings.
Place des Dominicains
The most popular Christmas Market in Colmar can be found at Place des Dominicains near the 14th century Dominican Church. The church makes for a stunning backdrop (but be sure to go inside, too!). Around 60 chalet-style wooden stalls fill the square with a wide array of handcrafted goods, decorations, and gift items.
Above photos: Christmas Market at Place des Dominicans
If you are looking to avoid the most crowded part of the day, the afternoon is the ideal time to go. However, in the evening when the stalls, decorations, and a giant Christmas tree at the center are all lit up, the market is transformed into something even more magical.
Above photos: Christmas Market at Place des Dominicans
Place Jeanne D’Arc
The market at Place Jeanne D’Arc is dedicated to local products, mostly food, although there are specialty crafts too. The half-timbered huts are really quaint and attempt to re-create a traditional Alsace village. I have to say it was a pretty indulgent scene. Ideally, one would spend a couple hours going stall-to-stall sampling foie gras, cold meats, wine, schnapps, bredalas.
Above photos: Place Jeanne D’Arc Christmas Market
Gourmet Market
The Gourmet Market at Rue de la Montagne Verte is the Alsacian answer to a food court. Under a white tent, local chefs prepare specialities from starters to desserts. This market gets very busy in the evening. So, it is best to show up before you are dying of hunger. In the same area, the Grande roue de Colmar (ferris wheel) and other children’s rides provide some family-friendly activities.
Day trips from Colmar
Navettes de Noel
Many visitors who come to Colmar during the Christmas season plan an extra day or two to explore the small villages in the surrounding wine region. If you have a car, you can easily map out a road trip and visit these places at your leisure. Another option is to purchase a ticket for the Navettes de Noel, which are shuttle buses that follow a circuit of the Christmas Markets.
Above photo: Navette de Noel shuttle bus
We gave ourselves a full day for this super fun hop-on-hop-off shopping extravaganza, and honestly it was tight. I wish we had another day because we didn’t have time to see them all. Still, what fun! After seeing the parking situation for these markets, I highly recommend the shuttle buses. They drop you off and pick you up right at each of the market entrances – no fuss, no muss! Read more about our visit to the Ribeauvillé Medieval Christmas Market here.
Above photos: Ribeauvillé Medieval Christmas Market
Strasbourg
Another very popular day trip for visitors to Colmar is Strasbourg — and vice versa! Strasbourg is just a quick 25-minute train ride from Colmar. It is a larger town and has a larger Christmas market. Some folks prefer the small town charm and over-the-top decorations at Colmar. But, Strasbourg wins when it comes to the Cathédrale Notre-Dame-de-Strasbourg and high-end shopping boutiques. I visited the Strasbourg Christmas Markets on a previous trip and absolutely loved it. Read more about our visit to Strasbourg here.
Above photos: Strasbourg Christmas Market
A Christmas Market Story
Our Christmas Market trip started in Western Germany. We were in Bavaria when the Ciro Snowstorm hit. Bavaria was the most affected region by Ciro, with the highest snowfall (about 50 cm) in the past 20 years. Beautiful — but A LOT of snow!
When we arrived at the Stuttgart train station for our train to Colmar, all trains were cancelled. We started calling every car rental company in the area and found for a small glimmer of hope that the rental agencies at Stuttgart Airport might still have some available. So, we caught one of the very few local trains still running and got ourselves to the airport. I was literally running from car rental desk to desk trying to secure whatever mode of transport they might have left. We got the very last car on the lot with Hertz. Yay Hertz!
So, alas, we got into our rental and started driving from Stuttgart to Colmar via the Black Forrest. It was the most beautiful drive ever. Snow coming down, trees completely outlined in white, and German Christmas carols on the radio. Funny when everything seemingly goes wrong, you end up with the very best memories!
Above photo: Snow covered trees from the Ciro Snowstorm
Other travel tips
- Take a map: Or have a map app on your smart phone. Colmar is not intuitively laid out like a master-planned neighborhood. The streets are curved, diagonal, and are anything but geometric. We got turned around so many times it was comical. A good walking map or street map app on your phone will help a lot!
- Carry cash: The first order of business when I arrive at an international destination is pulling cash out of the airport ATM machine. My bank reimburses me for my ATM fees and gives me the best currency conversion rate. Be sure to research your bank’s policy ahead and determine the best method for you. Most market vendors are able to process credit cards, but some will only take cash. We found this to be especially true with many food stalls. 💶 🤑
- Pack a packable duffle: You’re going there to shop so be prepared to get it all back home safely. I usually pack a duffle bag inside my luggage and slowly fill it up throughout my trip. I pack light so I have plenty of room for anything I need to take back in my checked luggage. I also take bubble wrap and a small flat box (that I later assemble) to make sure my glass ornaments make it back in one piece! The box should fit inside your carry-on duffle bag for your flight home. 🧳 ✈️
- Resign yourself to the crowds: Christmas Markets are very popular and widely visited throughout the holiday season by locals and tourists alike. You’ll be doing yourself a huge favor if you go with the expectation that there will be long lines, slow moving sidewalks, and people from every walk of life in your way. If you are stressed out and/or in a hurry, you won’t enjoy yourself. Thankfully, there isn’t anything another mug of vin chaud and a merry disposition can’t cure. 👨👩👧👦 🎄
Guided Tours
If you are not comfortable going on your own or are interested in having a knowledgeable local point out the sights, I have added a few tour options below.
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