Colmar

Colmar is a storybook Alsatian town where candy-colored half-timbered houses line the banks of the Lauch River in the enchanting Little Venice quarter. As the self-proclaimed capital of Alsatian wine, the town sits at the heart of the famous wine route, surrounded by vineyards and medieval villages that seem untouched by time.

Despite its small size, Colmar punches above its weight culturally, housing the magnificent Unterlinden Museum with Grünewald's Isenheim Altarpiece. Its perfectly preserved medieval and Renaissance architecture, combined with excellent winstubs (wine taverns) and one of France's most charming Christmas markets, makes it a quintessential European small-town destination.

Spring and autumn are ideal for vineyard visits and comfortable walking weather (14-22°C). December's Christmas market is magical. Summer is warm but can be crowded. Colmar is one of France's driest cities, making it pleasant most of the year.