Colmar

If you want to feel as though you have been transported to a place so different from the hustle and bustle of the city, Colmar is a good place to start. Colmar, I would argue, is the gem of Alsace. The entire town is composed of colorful buildings, with the traditional wood frame either still showing or painted on. Cobble stones encase the city’s streets, harkening back to a time in which phones and tablets didn’t captivate our eyes and emails and politics didn’t consume our minds. I small stream runs through the town, barely stout enough to endure the heat of the summer sun, but I imagine in the fall it roars from the energy given by fallen rain drops. The stream is decorated, as many streams and rivers in Europe are, with large baskets of flowers, varying in color, that bring a levity and beauty to the entire town. Bakeries, or Pâtisseries as they are referred to in France, line the streets offering there best loaves and eclairs and kouglof (it is a very dangerous place when you are trying to eat healthy, but I didn’t care much what I ate as long as it tasted good because I’m walking an average of 9 miles a day and that’s when I’m not traveling). It is this picturesque place where I spent the better part of four days. Now four days for such a small town is rather long so I took one day to rest. Near my hotel there lies a field overlooking a vast corn field and which few frequented. I brought my towel and phone to this field and just layer there, listening to my audiobook. I realized that this was my first actual break during the duration of my trip. I don’t want to sound ungrateful nor lazy, but most days I spend my time exploring and consuming as much information about cities and museums as I possibly can. On the days that I am not, I am traveling which either consisted of biking for roughly six hours or walking for eight. A break seemed in order and with a knee that doesn’t like being overworked and a city which I had already explored fully now seemed like the best opportunity. It was wondrous, besides the fact that my torso is now the color of a tomato, I finished my book and just took time to reflect on my trip and ruminate on the questions that constantly swirl around in my mind.

Museums and landmarks

Église des Dominicains

This grand church is a center piece of Colmar. It’s gothic style architecture is a stark contrast against the vibrant and cozy town and yet it’s green and yellow tiled roof makes it fit right in.

House of Heads

I ventured to this house not knowing what to expect. I simply saw it on one of the city maps and was intrigued and the museum I wanted to visit wasn’t open yet so I thought I’d check it out and I’m… glad I did? To be honest I thought it would be a house full of displayed heads, but in hindsight this makes more sense. This building is decked out with around 100 distinct heads and it’s a sight to behold.

La Petite Venice

I don’t know what it is with Nothern Europe, but they really like Venice. Amsterdam and now Colmar, it’s like Venice has a monopoly on rivers and any town who has them must pay a dividend to them. Aside from that though, this is one of the most picturesque parts of Colmar and a really fun place to visit. Plus there’s a market right next to it!

Musée Bartholdi

When you think of the United States of America three images probably pop into your mind: The American flag, and eagle, or the Statue of Liberty. The Statue of Liberty was built by a Frenchman though, Frédéric Bartholdi, who lived in Colmar. This museum takes you through his life and how it culminated in the construction of the State of Liberty. It’s an awesome find if you’re an American. #’MERICA

Musée Unterlinden

This is the main art museum in Colmar and is one of the best designed museums I have ever been in. It flawlessly takes you through famous Alsatian art starting from around the start of the common era to the beginning of the 21st century. It’s as if you’re seeing the world progress in the eyes of artists.

Statue of Liberty self tour

So I was just walking around town trying to find a place to get some lunch when I looked down and saw the Statue of Liberty. I got really excited for some reason and I started following the arrows hoping that it would lead me to a replica of the Statue of Liberty. It did not, but it did take me on a tour of most of the landmarks throughout the city and at each one there is a description in three languages (English included).

Food? Nah. Drink? Yea 🙂

When you are in a wine region it would be disgraceful not to try the wine grown there. Luckily for me, instead of having bear gardens Colmar had a wine garden of sorts. For pretty cheap one can try a whole set of different wines. Just a tip don’t get the Pinot Noir, stick with their famous Pinot Gris and Riesling.