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| Christmas Markt at Place des Dominicains Colmar, France |
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| Petite Venise Colmar, France |
Colmar is a city in the northeastern France, situated on the Alsatian Wine Route. The picturesque narrow cobblestone streets of the city have remained unchanged and are lined with well preserved half-timbered houses in traditional architectural style. Christmas Markets in Colmar has always been one of the best not only in Europe but worldwide.
It had been a long day. We had left Düsseldorf, Germany around 9am and strolled in Cologne for about two hours before we headed to France. Our base for four nights is in Strasbourg from 29 December 2019. We had rented an apartment at 4 Rue des Combattants Africains. €369.for four guests. The nearest tram and supermarket was 400 meters away.
To continue with our activity on this day, after we had completed the registration of the apartment rental, my hubby and I zoomed to Colmar for the Christmas Markets. The girls opted to just stay in Strasbourg. The last day of Colmar's Christmas Markets was on the 30th of December. But the 30th was designed in our tour to spend the whole day in Strasbourg. We went back though to Colmar on the 31st, included in the Alsace tour (DIY). I have incorporated in this blog the visit to Colmar on the 31st.
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| Place des Dominicains (Dominican Square), Colmar, France |
The first Christmas market we had visited was the one at the Place des Dominicains (Dominican Square). It was everything as expected, rather, better. The square was surrounded by the medieval multi-coloured houses adorned by stuff toys and ornaments. The Stained glass from the lit-up Eglise des Dominicains (Dominican church) reflects throughout the square
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| Christmas Stalls at Place des Dominicains (Dominican Square), Colmar, France |
We were supposed to be sick of the sausages but we have to try the one prepared by the Alsatian. They also have crepe and churros and the traditional Vin chaud (French term of mulled wine)
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| Christmas Stalls at Place des Dominicains (Dominican Square), Colmar, France |
There were around 50 wooden stalls or over. It was tempting to buy Christmas decors. Most are unique. But as I had mentioned in my earlier blog, we have no extra checked baggage.
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| Place des Martyrs de la Résistance, Colmar, France |
Christmas Market stalls and Children's rides along the Place des Martyrs de la Résistance.
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| Place de la Cathédrale (Cathedral Square) |
The whole town was illuminated. There were light shows on the facade of the Cathedral and on some of the timber-framed houses that further enhance the town's heritages. Colmar was the first in France to apply this kind of light operation. It was tried first on Christmas advent and later every weekend nights and on the night of special events. This is a joint effort of the government and citizens of Colmar.
The Christmas markets at the Place de la Cathédrale are known for its gourmands and gourmets. Chefs were invited to prepare dishes suit to everyone's taste buds.
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| Place de la Cathédrale (Cathedral Square) |
I believe I could not justify the beauty of the advent in Colmar. Our DSLR broke down as early as when we were in Vienna. We were just using our phones and GoPro. We have not learned yet the trick on taking photos at night. Nevertheless, it was an experience of another fairy tale Christmas
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| Christmas Stalls at Place des Dominicains (Dominican Square), Colmar, France |
We just visited two Christmas markets in Colmar, France. There were four more located at:
Place de l’Ancienne Douane
Place Jeanne d’Arc
Children's Christmas Market The Petite Venise
Indoor Craft Market at The Koïfhus.
We had visited these square on the 31st of December except for the Place Jeanne d’Arc. The advent celebration though had ended.
Wooh! I got excited when I saw a replica sculpture of the Statue of Liberty. It is about one-fourth of the original in New York. There is also a replica in Odaiba, Japan and in Paris, France. We have not seen the one in Paris yet. Why a replica also in Colmar? The sculptor of the original Statue of Liberty in New York was Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi who was from Colmar. The replica in Colmar was erected in 2004 to commemorate Bartholdi's centennial passing. Bartholdi's house is the best museum in Colmar
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| View of Petite Venise from Pont Turenne, Colmar, France |
Colmar was the last stop from our Alsace road trip on the 31st of December 2019. We just visited Obernai, Ribeauville, Riquewihr and Kaysersberg. We wanted to visit Eguisheim as well but we ran out time. Since the Christmas Markets had ended on that day, we should be in these villages before sunset. We did not want to waste our time finding where to park the car, my hubby dropped us off near the Pont Turenne. The best to view the Petite Venise in Colmar is from this bridge and Pont Saint Pierre. Good view also from the Place de l’Ancienne Douane, behind the Koifhus,
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| View of Petite Venise from Pont Saint Pierre, Colmar, France |
The course of the River Lauch in Colmar was named Petite Venise or Little Venice. On both sides of the river lined the multi-coloured timber-framed houses. You could join the boat ride tours or walk along the Quai de la Poissonnerie to see these well preserved medieval houses in Colmar.
Near Pont Turenne is Place des 6 Montagnes Noires. Children's Christmas Market The Petite Venise is held in this square. In the middle of the square is a fountain and the bronze statue of Jean Roesselmann by Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi. Roesselmann was considered the first hero of Colmar city who died in the 13th century defending independence of the city against the bishop of Strasbourg
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| Place de l’Ancienne Douane (Koifhus) west side, Colmar, France |
On Grand Rue is the west side of the Koifhus. Through its portal lead to the Place de l’Ancienne Douane. From there you could get a good view of the Petite Venise in Colmar. In 1480, Koifhus building was used as customs house and city hall.
Adorable half-timbered houses on the cobblestone Grand Rue, opposite the Koifhus.
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| Pfister house, Colmar, France |
Onto Rue des Marchands is the 16th century Pfister house. It is the first building in renaissance architectural style in Colmar. It was built for rich hat trader, Ludwig in 1537. Have a look at the mural paintings which represent biblical scenes. The building was named after the family who had restored it and lived there from 1841 to 1892. The next building on its left was named Zum Kragen. It was built before the end of the 16th century and considered also a history landmark.
Further, the opposite building is the Maison Schongauer. Latter was the former residence of the family of Martin Schongauer, a German painter and engraver before the end of the middle ages. He was very famous, Michelangelo in Italy and Albrecht Dürer in Netherlands were his admirers.
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| St Martin's Church, Colmar at Place de la Cathédrale (Cathedral Square) |
St Martin's Church was built in the 13th century in a Gothic architectural style. In 1972, remains were discovered that a first church was built in Carolingan style in the year 1000 and a second church was built in Romanesque style on the same spot. St Martin's could be the 3rd that had been built. The church is also known as St Martin's Cathedral but it was never a seat of a bishopric.
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| Inside the St Martin's Church, Colmar, France |
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| Gothic Last Supper inside the St Martin's Church, Colmar, France |
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| Nativity scene inside the St Martin's Church, Colmar, France |
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| Eglise des Dominicains (Dominican church) at Place des Dominicains, Colmar, France |
Eglise des Dominicains (Dominican church) was built in 1289 by the mendicant order of Preachers (Dominicans) in Gothic architectural style. The building is currently use as Public Library of the Dominicains heritage. Features inside are the Stained Glass window and the famous work of the famous artist, Martin Schongauer's The Virgin in the Rose Bush.
Closed Christmas wooden stalls at Place des Dominicains (Dominican Square)
More medieval houses on Rue des Clefs, Colmar
The Dominican square was quiet. Everyone was preparing for the coming of year 2020. Most of the shops were closing. We got scared we have not bought something for our New Year's Eve dinner.
continued from Places Visited in Düsseldorf, Germany 29 December 2019
Check out other Places Visited in France
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