Colmar Walking Tour

By Vicky · Published Jul. 1st, 2023 · Updated Apr. 3rd, 2024

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Colmar is a beautiful town in Alsace with many sights and quaint neighbourhoods, best explored on a walking tour.

Location

This walking tour starts from the Collégiale St-Martin, or St Martin’s Church, in the centre of Colmar. There are several car parks near the center, or you can take the train. On the train Colmar is only 2hr20 from Paris, 30 minutes from Strasbourg, 45 minutes from Basel and 2 hours from Zurich. The train station is just 15 minutes walk away from the centre of Colmar.

Colmar Walking Tour Map

Get the route by downloading the .gpx or .kml file below. For navigation with Maps.me on your mobile phone, simply download the .kml file and open to add it to the Maps.me bookmarks.

Top Sights in Colmar

On this self-guided walking tour you’ll see the main sights and attractions of Colmar. Up to one day is the perfect amount of time to spend in Colmar. If you’re just walking around, half a day is enough, while if you want to visit the museums then allow a full day. It also makes a fine base for exploring the surrounding cute towns on the Alsace Wine Route.

On this walking tour of Colmar you’ll also pass other sights such as the Musée Bartholdi, Maison des Têtes and the Place de l’Ancienne Douane (Old Custom’s House).

Colmar Walking Tour Route

This walking tour starts from Collégiale St-Martin, the main church in the center of Colmar.

1. Collégiale St-Martin

Directions: Leave the church square at the southeast corner, down a cute narrow street.

At the corner on your right you’ll see the Maison Pfister. This is one of the very old, wonderfully restored houses in Colmar. It has a distinctive octagonal tower, timber facade, corner turret and elaborate carvings and frescoes, all dating back to the middle ages. The house is named after the family that owned it in the 16th century, a wealthy Pfister family – Pfister comes from the Latin word for baker. Today, the ground floor is occupied by VINUM, a rather exclusive wine shop.

Opposite Pfister House is the Maison Schongauer, or Swan House. It was home to the famous artist and engraver Martin Schongauer from 1477-1490.

Directions: At the corner, head right along Rue des Marchands and the heart of Colmar Old Town.

2. Old Town & Rue des Marchands

Directions: Take the first left to see the grand Law Court building. Then cross the square in front and head right to walk towards Little Venice, or La Petite Venise. Look out for Maison des Chevaliers on your right, which looks a bit like a Venetian palace.

3. Petite Venise

Directions: Just across the bridge, take the steps down to your left. This walkway leads you back to the first bridge along a cute small lane.

Quai de la Poissonnerie

Renting a rowboat for thirty minutes (€6) is a great way to see the cute houses of Little Venise and the Fishmongers’ Quarter (Quai de la Poissonnerie) from a different perspective. You can buy tickets from La Krutenau restaurant – you’ll see the wooden boats just outside.

Continue walking close to the river along Rue de la Poissonnerie. You’ll now be on the Quai de la Poissonnerie, the old Fishmongers’ Quarter where fishermen used to live and work. It’s an extremely photogenic street, so a must-see on a walking tour of Colmar.

Directions: At the next bridge, turn left to reach the Marché Couvert, or Covered Market.

4. Marché Couvert de Colmar

Directions: Continue walking around the market, straight across the road and take the first left into the next district of Colmar.

5. Quartier des Tanneurs

The Quartier des Tanneurs is, as the name suggests, the old tanners’ quarter. This area is filled with beautiful half-timbered houses (from the 17th-18th centuries) and narrow streets, and it’s a great place to explore. The central square here, the Place de l’Ancienne Douane, holds the famous Christmas Market, or Marché de Noël, in December time.

Walk around a few of the lovely, quiet backstreets before heading across the bridge to the Old Customs House. This colourful building is also called the Ancienne Douane, or Koifus. It’s a rather striking piece of architecture dating back to the 1400s. Not only beautiful, this house used to play a vital role in the town’s economy. All goods entering the town had to be brought here for local taxes to be paid before they could be sold onwards.

Directions: Walk through the customs building and head right to walk through more of Colmar. You’ll see the Old Hospital on your right and then pass St Matthew’s Church. After this, take the first left along one of the major shopping streets of town. Take the second left, then bend right to reach the square in front of the Dominican Church.

6. Église des Dominicains

Key Information: Open 10 am – 1 pm and 3 – 6 pm, closed Mondays and Wednesdays. Entrance costs €2/1/free per adult/child/under 12.

The Place des Dominicains just outside the church is a picturesque square with beautiful architecture. The fountain in the centre tells the story of a local legend. The Église des Dominicains itself dates mainly from the 14th century. There are beautiful stained glass windows, but the real highlight is the Madonna of the Rose Bush, painted by local master craftsman Martin Schongauer.

Directions: Head right around the church and follow the waterways to the Musée d’Unterlinden, just after the large garden.

7. Musée d’Unterlinden

Key Information: Open every day except Tuesday, 9am-6pm. Tickets cost €13/8 plus €2 for an audioguide (recommended).

The Musée d’Unterlinden (Website, Tripadvisor Reviews*) is housed in a former convent dating back to the 13th century. It’s been modernized and wonderfully combines both old and new architectural elements, making it one of the top cultural attractions in Colmar. The museum’s collection includes works by famous artists such as Picasso and Monet, as well as a range of medieval and Renaissance art. Be sure to check out the famous Isenheim Altarpiece while you’re there. And don’t miss the archaeological section, which covers excavations from around Alsace.

Directions: The final stretch of the Colmar Walking Tour continues down Rue des Têtes, to the right after the garden. You’ll find the Maison des Têtes on your left as you walk along the street.

Maison des Têtes

Directions: At the end of the street turn left, head right across the square, and continue along Rue des Marchands.

Musée Bartholdi

Key Information: Open 10am-noon and 2pm-6pm. Closed Mondays and all of January. Tickets cost €5/free for adults/children.

The Musée Bartholdi (Website, Tripadvisor Reviews*) is an excellent small museum in the historical city centre. It displays work by Auguste Bartholdi, a sculptor born in Colmar in 1886, most famous for the Statue of Liberty. The museum displays several sculptures, along with a few of Bartholdi’s private belongings, all in the house where he once lived.

Directions: Take the next road to the left and you be back at St Martin’s Church and the end of the Colmar Walking Tour.

Extra Sight: Toy Museum

Key Information: Open Jan-Nov 10am-5pm, closed Tuesdays. July, August & December open every day 10am-6pm. Tickets cost €6.10/4.70 for adults/children.

If you’re interested in toys, and especially if you have younger children, then the Toy Museum (Website, Tripadvisor Reviews*), or ‘Musée du Jouet’ is well worth a visit. It’s housed in a former cinema and not too far from the town center. On display are collections of toys from the 19th century to the present. There are teddy bears, dolls, toy trains, video games, and much more. A particular highlight is the train network which occupies the entire second floor.

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For more walking tours and hikes, see our France Hiking Page.