Last updated · Colmar (Grand Est, 193 m elevation) commune guide reviewed by the FranceStarter editorial team
What to See & Do in Colmar (Grand Est)
Served by Gare de Colmar (1.1 km) in the Haut-Rhin department of Grand Est, Colmar (INSEE 68066; pop. 69,899) offers easy access to La Petite Venise de Colmar and Musée Unterlinden & Retable d'Issenheim at 193 m altitude. Visitors use Colmar as a walkable base for tasting Choucroute garnie d'Alsace & Baeckeoffe and Kougelhopf, bretzels & pain d'épices across Grand Est.
In Colmar (Colmar (68066), 193 m elevation, pop. 69,899), top sights and local landmarks include La Petite Venise de Colmar (0.5 km) · Musée Unterlinden & Retable d'Issenheim (0.4 km) · Quartier des Tanneurs & Maison Pfister (0.3 km) · Collégiale Saint-Martin (0.2 km) · Marché Couvert de Colmar (0.5 km), alongside surrounding quartiers and hameaux such as Caserne Rapp, Saint-Joseph, Gutleuten, Niederau, Semm. Within Grand Est (Haut-Rhin), Colmar serves as a commune in grand est (Regional km², Urban/Town residents/km²) that pairs well with wider regional highlights including Strasbourg Grande Île & Petite France, Colmar, Riquewihr & Eguisheim on the Alsace Wine Route, Reims Cathedral & Épernay Avenue de Champagne, Nancy Place Stanislas & Haut-Koenigsbourg Castle.
- Nearby Landmarks & Monuments in Colmar: La Petite Venise de Colmar (0.5 km) · Musée Unterlinden & Retable d'Issenheim (0.4 km) · Quartier des Tanneurs & Maison Pfister (0.3 km) · Collégiale Saint-Martin (0.2 km) · Marché Couvert de Colmar (0.5 km)
- Local Quartiers, Villages & Lieux-dits (Colmar): Caserne Rapp, Saint-Joseph, Gutleuten, Niederau, Semm
- Historic Core & Weekly Marché of Colmar: Stroll the central square around the Mairie, parish church, and morning market stalls in Colmar.
How to Get to Colmar: Nearest SNCF Station & Rail Access
Rail & road access for Colmar (48.0811°N, 7.355°E): Nearest station is Gare de Colmar (1.1 km), connecting via the regional hub of Gare de Strasbourg-Ville & Gare de Reims (SNCF TGV INOUI, ICE & TER Fluo). TGV Est from Paris Est to Reims (45m), Nancy (1h30), Metz (1h25) and Strasbourg (1h46); frequent TER Fluo Alsace wine-route trains to Sélestat and Colmar.
- SNCF TER & transit cards for Colmar: Once in Grand Est, SNCF TER regional trains and departmental coaches link Strasbourg with Colmar (Gare de Colmar (1.1 km)). Urban trams and buses accept contactless bank cards and regional passes (Navigo Easy in Paris, TCL in Lyon, Lignes d'Azur in Nice).
- Luggage & station storage near Colmar: Major SNCF hubs in Grand Est offer consignes (left-luggage lockers). If stopping in Colmar between bases, verify bag dimensions in our SNCF & Airline Luggage Checker.
- Driving & car rental around Colmar: While Colmar centre-ville is accessible by rail and local bus, picking up a rental car at Gare de Strasbourg-Ville & Gare de Reims (SNCF TGV INOUI, ICE & TER Fluo) makes it easy to explore rural vineyards, châteaux, and scenic passes across Grand Est. See our Driving in France, Autoroute Tolls & Crit'Air Guide.
What Locals Eat in Colmar (Grand Est Specialties)
1. Signature Dish in Colmar (Entrée & Plat)
In Colmar (Haut-Rhin), traditional tables feature: Alsatian winstub and Lorraine brasserie fare—wood-fired Tarte flambée (Flammekueche), Choucroute garnie d'Alsace, slow-simmered Baeckeoffe, Quiche Lorraine, Coq au Riesling, and Potée Champenoise. Across the Haut-Rhin department, Colmar showcases seasonal market produce, artisanal boulangeries, and AOC wines from Grand Est.
2. Wine & Cellar Pairings Around Colmar
Around Colmar and across Haut-Rhin, local wine lists and cellar pairings highlight: Grand Cru Alsace whites (Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Gris), Crémant d'Alsace, Côtes de Toul, and legendary Champagne houses across Reims, Épernay, and the Côte des Blancs.
3. AOC / AOP Cheeses & Boulangerie in Colmar
At the weekly market and fromageries of Colmar (Haut-Rhin), look for: Munster AOP cheese with caraway, Brie de Meaux, Kougelhopf yeasted cake, soft Alsace bretzels, Mirabelle de Lorraine tarts, Reims pink biscuits (Biscuits Roses), and Mulhouse/Strasbourg bredle.
4. Dining Rhythm & Market Hours in Colmar
Cozy wood-paneled winstub dinners along the Alsace Wine Route, cellar tours in Champagne chalk crayères, and December Christkindelsmärik stalls steaming with mulled white wine (vin chaud blanc). In Colmar (pop. 69,899), covered halles, neighborhood bistros, wine bars, and specialty pâtisseries across Haut-Rhin offer both great-value weekday lunch formules (€16–€24) and evening gastronomic tasting menus.
Across Colmar (Colmar (68066)) and the wider Grand Est region, look for bistro chalkboards featuring Tarte flambée (Flammekueche) baked in wood-fired ovens, Choucroute garnie d'Alsace & Baeckeoffe, Kougelhopf, bretzels & pain d'épices, Quiche Lorraine & Mirabelle plum tart, Champagne Grands Crus & Alsace Riesling, Gewürztraminer and Crémant. For allergy cards or restaurant phrases in Colmar, use our French Phrasebook & Show-to-Staff Cards or practice speaking in Learn French for Travelers.
5 Nearest Neighboring Communes & Day Trips from Colmar
The 5 closest neighboring French communes (communes limitrophes) to Colmar (48.0811°N, 7.355°E, 193 m elevation) for local day trips across Grand Est are:
- Horbourg-Wihr (3.0 km from Colmar)
- Ingersheim (3.9 km from Colmar)
- Wintzenheim (4.9 km from Colmar)
- Wettolsheim (4.9 km from Colmar)
- Andolsheim (5.1 km from Colmar)
Commune Facts, Elevation & Best Time to Visit Colmar
Seasonal advice for Colmar (Grand Est, 193 m elevation): Best time to visit Grand Est: May–Oct (harvest & wine route), late Nov–Dec (Alsace Christmas markets). Pair your visit to Colmar with regional highlights across Grand Est: Strasbourg Grande Île & Petite France, Colmar, Riquewihr & Eguisheim on the Alsace Wine Route, Reims Cathedral & Épernay Avenue de Champagne, Nancy Place Stanislas & Haut-Koenigsbourg Castle.
| Commune Fact | Details for Colmar (Colmar (68066)) |
|---|---|
| Official Commune Name | Colmar (68066) (Colmar) |
| Administrative Role | Commune in Grand Est |
| Region & Prefecture Capital | Grand Est (Capital: Strasbourg) |
| Geographic Zone | Haut-Rhin |
| Population | 69,899 residents |
| Surface Area / Density | Regional km² · Urban/Town residents per km² |
| GeoNames Elevation | 193 m elevation |
| Nearest Rail Station | Gare de Colmar (1.1 km) |
| Municipal Heritage | Official Municipality |
| GPS Coordinates | 48.0811°N, 7.355°E |
Practical Travel Tips for Colmar
- Office de Tourisme in Colmar: Visit the local Office de Tourisme near the historic center of Colmar (or at Gare de Strasbourg-Ville & Gare de Reims (SNCF TGV INOUI, ICE & TER Fluo)) for walking maps, market days, and seasonal château or museum hours.
- Cards, Euros & ATMs in Colmar: Bistros, bakeries, and shops in Colmar accept Visa and Mastercard (contactless sans contact up to €50), though keeping €10–€20 in coins and small notes is helpful for open-air market stalls and village bakeries. BNP Paribas, Crédit Agricole, Société Générale, and La Banque Postale ATMs operate across Grand Est.
- French dining hours in Colmar: Outside nonstop brasseries near major stations, kitchens in Colmar serve lunch strictly from 12:00 to 13:45 and dinner from 19:15 to 21:30.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Colmar (Colmar (68066)) located in France?
Colmar (Colmar (68066)) is a commune located in Grand Est in the Haut-Rhin region of France (coordinates: 48.0811°N, 7.355°E, 193 m elevation). It has a population of 69,899 across Regional km² (Urban/Town/km²).
How do I get to Colmar by SNCF train?
Travelers reach Colmar via Gare de Colmar (1.1 km) and the main regional gateway of Gare de Strasbourg-Ville & Gare de Reims (SNCF TGV INOUI, ICE & TER Fluo). TGV Est from Paris Est to Reims (45m), Nancy (1h30), Metz (1h25) and Strasbourg (1h46); frequent TER Fluo Alsace wine-route trains to Sélestat and Colmar. Compare fares and travel times in our SNCF TGV INOUI, Ouigo & TER Fare Calculator.
What local food is Colmar (Grand Est) known for?
In Colmar and across Grand Est, signature regional dishes include Tarte flambée (Flammekueche) baked in wood-fired ovens, Choucroute garnie d'Alsace & Baeckeoffe, Kougelhopf, bretzels & pain d'épices, plus Quiche Lorraine & Mirabelle plum tart and Champagne Grands Crus & Alsace Riesling, Gewürztraminer and Crémant. Look for artisan boulangeries, weekly open-air marchés, and bistros offering a weekday Formule du Midi.
When is the best time of year to visit Colmar?
For Colmar (Grand Est, 193 m elevation): Best time to visit Grand Est: May–Oct (harvest & wine route), late Nov–Dec (Alsace Christmas markets). Check our France Seasonal Calendar for month-by-month weather and festival highlights.
Official Sources & References for Colmar
- Atout France (Official France Tourism Agency)
- SNCF Connect — Train Schedules & Fares
- Wikipedia: Colmar
Official commune, rail, and tourism references for Colmar (Grand Est, 48.0811°N, 7.355°E) verified against Atout France, SNCF Connect, and INSEE / GeoNames data.