Apparently, so did everyone else visiting western Europe this year. But how to ditch the masses and circumnavigate the selfie sticks in this pretty little Alsatian sweet spot? Step aboard a canal boat. For twenty-five minutes you are afforded a small-group guided tour of these canals chock full of charm.
We arrived late into Colmar, having booked an apartment right off the popular Quai de la Poissonnerie. With only one night to slurp up as much Alsace as we could muster, I prioritized to stay right in the middle of the pretty old part. It was a good call and we wandered the canals and cobblestoned alleys to a bit quieter scene in the evening.
Just be forewarned, finding a spot that serves dinner past 10pm was not possible. If you have any opportunity to experience Colmar outside of summer, I would highly recommend you do so. We found the amount of tourists mid-July just too much. I am very aware that we were part of the problem. So you wait. Smile and nod. And then snap. The covered market. We sampled some Alsatian pretzels and perused the cheese counter. Oh French cheese, how I adore you.
This area has a unique character even in France as it has traded hands between Germany and France many times over the years. If you can nab a spot on the terrace outside, it is a perfect place to take lunch or simply coffee and a probably pastry or two.
The details are are what do it here. Flower baskets seem to adorn every window and scrolled signage hangs over every door.
