[2025 Colmar Attraction] Travel Guide for St Martin's Church (Updated Mar)

✨A French fairy tale town, it's like stepping into Howl's Moving Castle✨ 🪄When you see the town in this picture, do you feel a sense of déjà vu? If you are familiar with Hayao Miyazaki's work 'Howl's Moving Castle', then this scene will not be unfamiliar to you😉. Remember when Sophie was walking alone on the path, being teased by two soldiers, and Howl descended from the sky like a hero🕺, with blond hair and blue eyes, wearing a cloak, appearing beside Sophie. He took Sophie dancing in the air above the town, lightly stepping over the rooftops, overlooking the entire town, everything was dreamily beautiful💕. 👧The most impressive to me was the scene where they danced in the air🎈, those rows of pointed timber-framed houses, scattered in an orderly fashion, looking down from above, both romantic and spectacular🎆. And this scene is not a figment of Grandpa Miyazaki's imagination, its prototype is the town of Colmar on the Alsace Wine Route in France! Compare the pictures, isn't it almost identical😲! Those timber-framed houses are just like two peas in a pod! Here, it seems that you can see Howl carrying Sophie flying over the rooftops🕊️! 🏡Over the past millennium, the Alsace region has changed hands between France and Germany several times, its history is an epic of German-French contradictions and integration📚. Speaking of Alsace, does it feel familiar to you🤔? Let's read the text below together and see if it can evoke fragments of your memory📃: 'After the grammar lesson, we started the handwriting class📝. That day, Mr. Hamel gave us new copybooks, all with beautiful round script: 'France' 'Alsace' 'France' 'Alsace'. These copybooks hung on the iron rods of our desks, like many small national flags fluttering in the classroom🚩. Everyone was so focused, the classroom was unbelievably quiet🎵!' 'The Last Lesson' cast a melancholic and solemn hue over Alsace😢. But in fact, before the 17th century, the Alsace region belonged to the Holy Roman Empire (the predecessor of Germany), and people mainly spoke German📄. After the famous Thirty Years' War in Europe, Alsace came under French rule. And in the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-1871, France was defeated, and Alsace belonged to Prussia, until Germany was defeated in World War II, Alsace returned to the arms of France💪, and formed the current border between the two countries along the Rhine River🗺️. 📖If cities can also be mixed-race, then Colmar is undoubtedly a beautiful town with German-French mixed blood🌸. Carefully calculated, this place belonged to Germany for a longer time than it belonged to France. This also explains why Colmar's architectural style is full of Germanic charm🏰, those timber-framed houses and the magnificent Gothic churches with pointed spires all bear strong Germanic marks🎨, as well as many street names with German suffixes and the dialect mixed with German and French, all have a reasonable explanation🤝. ✨Colmar also has many attractions worth visiting🎡, such as the Little Venice area, where the waterways crisscross, and the colorful timber-framed houses are reflected in the water, picturesque🖼️; there is also the Unterlinden Museum, which displays the rich history and culture of the Alsace region📜; and the Saint Martin Church, whose towering spires and exquisite carvings are awe-inspiring👏. Come to Colmar and experience the unique charm of this fairy tale town💖!

Erected from 1235 on the site of a previous building, this collegiate church is the most imposing Gothic church in Middle Alsace. The south facade of the transept, with the Saint Nicolas portal, is the finest part. The strange roofing of the tower replaces a spire which collapsed following a fire in 1572. As the seat of the constitutional bishopric of the Haut-Rhin district during the French revolution, Saint Martin had cathedral status during that period. The church’s silhouette, with its single bell tower, is particularly recognisable from neighbouring districts. It’s extremely beautiful inside too. Look carefully at the amazing stained glass panels and the 2 large organs at the marvelous altar here. #bucketlistreboot

Colmar is a town in the Alsace region of northeastern France. It is known for its unique architectural style and water town charm, and is considered one of the "Top 10 Most Beautiful Towns in the World." Here is a travel guide to Colmar to help you plan your trip. Visa and Entry Apply for a French tourist visa in advance and prepare a valid passport and visa application materials (such as photos, itinerary, proof of funds, etc.). For specific requirements, please consult the French Embassy or Visa Center. Time Difference Colmar is in the Central European Time Zone, which is 7 hours behind China (6 hours during daylight saving time). Best Time to Visit Colmar is suitable for travel all year round, but each season has its own unique features. Spring (March to May): The temperature gradually warms up and flowers bloom. Summer (June to August): The sun is shining, making it perfect for outdoor activities. Autumn (September to November): Grape harvest season, a paradise for wine lovers. Winter (December to February): Christmas markets and a festive atmosphere. Transportation Guide External Transportation: Colmar does not have an airport, but you can fly to Basel, Nice, or Paris and then take a train. Trains from Strasbourg run every half hour and take about 30 minutes to reach Colmar. Internal Transportation: You can walk around the old town or take a sightseeing train to visit the main attractions. Popular Attractions Colmar Old Town: Colorful wooden houses and medieval streets. Little Venice: Canals run through the city, with colorful houses on both sides. Rue des Tanneurs and Rue des Clefs: Preserved half-timbered houses. Saint Martin's Church: An outstanding Gothic building. Maison des Têtes and Unterlinden Museum: Display precious cultural relics and artworks. Local Cuisine Alsatian Stew: A rich local specialty. Alsatian White Wine: Full-bodied. French Desserts: Such as crepes, macarons, etc. Accommodation Options It is recommended to choose a hotel in the city center or near Little Venice for easy access and sightseeing. Shopping Recommendations Alsatian Pottery: Local specialty pottery. Handicrafts: Such as wood carvings, glassware, etc. Notes Tipping is customary in France. In restaurants, you can tip about 5%-10% of the bill amount based on the service. Pay attention to personal property safety and respect local customs and religious beliefs. Colmar is a charming town that is perfect for savoring and exploring slowly. We hope this guide will help you plan your trip to Colmar.

Colmar is a charming little city located in the Alsace region in eastern France, near the borders of Germany and Switzerland. The city is known for its beautiful half-timbered houses and small streets filled with medieval atmosphere. Top attractions in Colmar: 1. La Petite Venise - Little Venice • The most beautiful district of Colmar, with small canals and colorful houses. • You can take a canal cruise to enjoy the view or take a stroll along the bridges and banks to take photos. 2. Musée Unterlinden • A museum with Renaissance artwork, especially the Isenheim Altarpiece. • Housed in an old monastery, it showcases antiques and artwork. 3. St. Martin’s Church • A Gothic church in the center of town Built in the 13th-14th century • Beautiful stained glass windows and a peaceful atmosphere 4. Old Town • Full of old wooden houses and shops decorated with colorful flowers • Perfect for walking, tasting local food and buying souvenirs 5. Wineries and Wine Tasting Tours • Colmar is part of the Alsace Wine Route • You can visit wineries near the city and try famous white wines such as Riesling and Gewürztraminer Christmas Market in Colmar: Colmar is one of the cities that hosts the most beautiful Christmas markets in Europe, held from late November to the end of December Highlights of Colmar Christmas Market: 1. 5 markets in the city: • Place des Dominicains: handicrafts • Ancienne Douane: food and drink • Small market in La Petite Venise: family and child-friendly • Koïfhus: arts and crafts • Jeanne d’Arc: local cuisine 2. The city lights • The buildings, houses and streets are decorated with colorful lights, creating a romantic atmosphere 3. Food and drink • Try mulled wine (Vin Chaud), Christmas cookies, gingerbread and traditional Alsatian dishes such as Choucroute and Flammekueche Colmar Christmas Market Tips: • The market opens around the end of November and runs until December 30 (hours vary slightly each year) • Evenings are the best time to see the lights, but come early to avoid the crowds • Bring cash, as many shops may not accept credit cards Colmar is a great place to walk around and experience a true European Christmas! #france #colmar