Colmar the little-big townn

Colmar takes its name from the Colombarium tower which was located in the centre of the Carolingien domain. In the 12th century, the area became a fortified market town. In 1354 there was an alliance between ten cities, and Colmar was at its head. During the Reformation, Catholics and Protestants passed the direction of power back and forth. Finally in 1648, the Treaty of Westphalia confirmed the possession of Alsace by France. After 1870, in response to annexation, the resistance of Colmar to German influence became legendary due to its tenacity. During the last war, Colmar was caught in a zone of German resistance creating what was to be known as the “Pocket of Colmar” and whose extreme violence was infamous, but today it offers one of the most attractive city centres of Alsace.
Situated near the vine-covered slopes of the southern Vosges, it’s the third-largest town in Alsace.
This town has assembled within its boundaries a large share of Alsatian history, artistic wealth and the wine-growing industry. The city is an important key to unlocking the realities of Alsace today and Colmar is not simply beautiful to the eye but also to the mind as home to some important schools of thought. Colmar is often compared to a historical museum: the Unterlinden museum is home to several imperishable masterpieces from the Rhine renaissance.
This large city has over 100.000 inhabitants (and is the site for the prefecture of the department of the Haut-Rhin as well as an appeals court). The inevitable consequences of being an important city in today’s world (Colmar is the centre of the Alsatian wine-growing industry) is that Colmar’s outskirts do not have the same cachet as the historic centre of the city; It is a shame that the first impression of Colmar is formed by the initial outskirts which do not offer any particular charm.
It is when the tourist arrives in the centre of the city that Colmar reveals its charm: the colors and atmosphere of streets and alley-ways have been well-preserved since the Middle Ages and their ancient houses are reflected in the water which passes through the city. Churches, cloisters, half-timbered houses, balconies, facades with ornate wood sculptures, paintings, gables, and edifices from the Renaissance all add to this very special city centre. The leather maker’s district has been restored to create a most picturesque area, called “Little Venice”.
Colmar is marvellously preserved despite its turbulent history; its historical centre still remains intact and is classified as a “protected area”.
Capital of Alsace wines, with top quality hotels and restaurants, Colmar is well known for its gastronomic tradition.