Does the traffic and noise of Paris have you longing for Belle’s “little town, it’s a quiet city” village vibes? Well, in less than three hours on a TGV high speed train, you can be in Colmar, France, the most picturesque, storybook-like town I’ve ever experienced.
Its well-preserved old town seems like a film set for a live-action Disney film, but Colmar is a real-life, historic city. Located on the border of France and Germany and along France’s Route de Vins wine route, it’s the perfect place to eat and drink to your heart’s content. Because the region has changed between French and German rule over the centuries, it remains a delightful mix of cultures, architectural styles, and cuisine. Be sure to take a ride on a picturesque canal boat through the center of the old city, stroll through Little Venice, and see the historic Isenheim Altarpiece at the Unterlinden Museum. For dinner, make reservations at Wistub de la Petite Venice, a traditional restaurant serving excellent regional cuisine.
You can experience most of what Colmar has to offer in two to three days, making it the perfect weekend getaway from Paris or as a stop along the Route de Vins. I’ve traveled the whole route and stopped in some of the cutest villages France has to offer, but Colmar remains my favorite spot in the Alsace region.
