Colmar, France 🇫🇷 4K Walking Tour (2025) – Fairytale Town in Alsace | Little Venice & Old Town
Hello and bienvenue! Welcome to Colmar, France’s enchanting Alsatian town. This charming town is located in
northeastern France, near the German border. Colmar has a population of around
70,000 people. It’s the third-largest commune
in the Alsace region. The town is famous for its well-preserved
old town and colorful half-timbered houses. Colmar is the capital of Alsatian wine,
located on the famous wine route. First mentioned in chronicles during
Charlemagne’s Saxon wars. In 1226, it became an imperial town
under Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II. The town has a rich history influenced
by both French and German cultures. Today, we’ll explore Colmar’s most
iconic landmarks and picturesque streets! We’re starting at Brasserie des Tanneurs,
in the historic tanners’ district. This area was once the heart of Colmar’s
leather tanning industry in the Middle Ages. The tanners worked along the Lauch River,
using the water for their craft. Notice the beautiful half-timbered
architecture typical of Alsatian buildings. These buildings date back to
the 16th and 17th centuries. [Walking to next location] Now we’re approaching the Ancienne Douane,
also known as the Koïfhus. This is one of Colmar’s most
important historical buildings. Built in 1480, it served as the customs
house and economic center of the town. The upper floor was used for meetings
and housed the town council. The building’s arcade and external
staircase are particularly beautiful. This area around the Ancienne Douane
is the heart of old Colmar. Here we see the Schwendi Fountain,
right in front of the Ancienne Douane. This fountain was erected in 1898
to honor Lazare de Schwendi. Schwendi was a 16th-century military
leader and lord of nearby Kientzheim. According to legend, he brought Tokaji
grape vines from Hungary to Alsace. The statue shows him holding grapes,
symbolizing his contribution to viticulture. This is one of Colmar’s
most photographed fountains! The square is called
Place de l’Ancienne Douane. Let’s take a walk through the charming streets of Colmar. Every corner looks like a postcard — half-timbered houses, cozy cafés, and little boutiques selling local products. You’ll find plenty of shops offering Alsatian wines, cheeses, gingerbread, and handmade souvenirs. The mix of French and German influences makes the architecture here so unique. Notice how calm and picturesque everything feels — this is why so many people call Colmar one of the prettiest towns in Europe. Now let’s wander through Colmar’s
enchanting old town streets. The colorful half-timbered houses date
from the 14th to 18th centuries. This historic spot is surrounded by charming shops and lively cafés People are sitting outside, chatting and relaxing. Some are enjoying a cold beer or a cup of coffee The atmosphere is really warm and friendly. You can really feel the charm of this old town. The weather is perfect for a walk today. It’s easy to see why Colmar is called one of the prettiest towns in France. now we are walking through Rue de l’Église. This is one of the most charming streets in Colmar. On both sides, you see colorful shops, cafés, and small boutiques. At the end of the street, you’ll see the impressive church We’ve arrived at the Collégiale Saint-Martin,
Colmar’s principal church. This impressive Gothic church was built
between 1235 and 1365. You may also notice the Petit Train,
Colmar’s tourist train! It’s often called the Cathedral of Colmar,
though it’s technically not a cathedral. The church is dedicated to
Saint Martin of Tours. Notice the beautiful sandstone exterior
in shades of pink and yellow. This comes from Vosges sandstone
quarried from the nearby mountains. The tower stands 71 meters high
and dominates Colmar’s skyline. The church has never been the seat of a bishop, but locals often call it a “mini cathedral.” Inside, you’ll find stunning stained
glass windows from the 13th century. The church features beautiful
vaulted ceilings and Gothic architecture. Saint-Martin is an important example
of Gothic architecture in Alsace. Now we are entering the majestic Collégiale Saint-Martin. The church is more than 700 years old — it was built between 1234 and 1365. The church has witnessed centuries of history,
including Protestant and Catholic worship. The interior is calm, grand, and full of history. Light streams through stained glass windows from the 13th and 14th centuries. These windows show scenes from the Bible and early Christian saints. Away from the noise, you can feel the centuries around you. It allows pilgrims to walk around and visit chapels without disturbing the services. The choir stalls — carved wooden seats — date back hundreds of years. This church was once home to Martin Schongauer’s famous Madonna in a Rose Bower, painted in 1473. It was stolen in 1972 but luckily recovered a year later. Several altarpieces and paintings were dispersed during the French Revolution. As we step outside, you carry a piece of this magical history with you. the Petit Train,
Colmar’s tourist train! It departs every 30 minutes from Rue Kléber,
next to the Unterlinden Museum. The train covers 7 kilometers and visits
all the main landmarks Notice the typical Alsatian architectural
style with exposed wooden beams. The streets are lined with boutiques
selling local products, wines, and crafts. Colmar is famous for its Christmas markets,
making these streets magical in winter. The town inspired the setting for
the animated film Howl’s Moving Castle. Look up to see the beautiful carved
wooden details and painted facades. Many buildings feature oriel windows,
covered balconies that extend outward. [Walking through the streets and shops] Here we are at the Hôtel de Ville,
Colmar’s Town Hall. This elegant building serves as
the seat of municipal government. The Hôtel de Ville was built in
the 18th century. It features classical French
administrative architecture. The Place de la Mairie in front is often
used for public events and markets. Now we’re at the Marché Couvert,
Colmar’s covered market. This indoor market was built in 1865
in the style of Les Halles in Paris. The market features beautiful cast-iron
architecture and large glass windows. Inside, you’ll find fresh local produce,
meats, cheeses, and regional specialties. The market is open Tuesday through
Saturday mornings. It’s the perfect place to experience
local Alsatian food culture. Vendors sell everything from fresh vegetables
to artisanal charcuterie. The market represents the importance of
gastronomy in Alsatian daily life. This is one of Colmar’s
most photographed places Just outside the Marché Couvert, we’re
close to the beautiful Lauch River. This area showcases Colmar’s
industrial heritage and past. In the past, market gardeners used to
travel by boat to this market. Today, you can take boat rides on the Lauch
with the association Les Bateliers de la Lauch. Boat trips are offered on weekends,
and daily from April to September Traditional flat-bottomed boats take visitors
through the picturesque canals. From the water, you get stunning views
of the colorful half-timbered houses. The reflections of these beautiful
buildings dance on the water’s surface. The Lauch River connects this area
to the famous Petite Venise district. Along the riverbanks, you’ll see flower-filled
balconies and charming waterfront cafes. The peaceful water creates a romantic
atmosphere throughout this neighborhood. This waterway was essential for the tanners,
fishermen, and market gardeners of old Colmar. Finally, we’ve reached Petite Venise,
Little Venice! This is Colmar’s most romantic quarter
and the most photographed area. Half-timbered houses line both sides
of the Lauch River. This area was historically home to fishermen,
tanners, and butchers. They used the river for their trades
and daily activities. The name Petite Venise comes from
the resemblance to Venetian canals. You can take boat tours along the canal
for a unique perspective. Notice the flower boxes decorating
the windows everywhere. Colmar competes in France’s
Flowered Towns competition. The pastel-colored houses – pink, yellow,
blue, and green – are stunning. This area perfectly captures
the fairy-tale charm of Alsace. Petite Venise is the jewel of Colmar
and leaves every visitor enchanted. Thank you for joining this walking tour
of beautiful Colmar! Don’t forget to visit the Unterlinden Museum
and taste the local wines! Au revoir from Colmar, Alsace!
Explore Colmar, France 🇫🇷 — one of the most beautiful fairytale towns in Europe!
This relaxing 4K walking tour (2025) takes you through the enchanting streets of Colmar in Alsace, featuring the famous Little Venice (La Petite Venise), colorful half-timbered houses, and the stunning medieval Old Town that looks straight out of a storybook. 🌸
🇫🇷 What You’ll See in This Colmar Walking Tour
La Petite Venise (Little Venice) – romantic canals & colorful Alsatian houses
Historic Old Town – charming squares and centuries-old buildings
Half-timbered houses (colombages) – iconic medieval architecture
Cobblestone streets & flower-filled balconies – postcard-perfect views
Hidden gems of Colmar – cozy cafés, local shops, and peaceful corners
📍 About Colmar
Nestled in the Alsace region of northeastern France, near the German border, Colmar is often called “the most beautiful town in France.”
Its fairytale charm, canals, and colorful medieval houses inspired the village in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast.#colmar #travel #littlevenice #venise #alsace #france #europe #traveler #asmr #asmrsounds
✨ Timestamps / Things to Do in Colmar:
0:00 – Welcome to Colmar, France | Travel Guide & Sightseeing Tips
2:31 – Rue des Tanners | Explore Traditional Alsatian Street in Colmar
3:30 – Ancienne Douane (Old Customs House) | Historic Landmark Tour
4:11 – Schwendi Fountain | Iconic Colmar Monument
6:36 – Walking Through Historic Streets of Colmar | City Center Stroll
7:45 – Rue de l’Église | Charming Colmar Street Exploration
10:30 – Colmar Church Exterior | Gothic Architecture Highlights
12:36 – Inside the Church | Interior Tour & Stunning Decor
14:24 – Petit Train Colmar | Tourist Train Sightseeing Experience
15:15 – Colmar Shopping District | Boutiques, Local Shops & Souvenirs
17:27 – Rue des Marchands | Famous Half-Timbered Buildings in Colmar
19:20 – Hôtel de Ville Colmar | City Hall & Historic Architecture
20:37 – Marché Couvert de Colmar | Covered Market Food & Local Produce
21:24 – Scenic River Views | Colorful Houses & Canal Walk in Colmar
27:12 – Petite Venise | Little Venice District of Colmar Travel Guide
30:56 – Inside the Petit Train Tour | Full Scenic Ride Experience
Playlist Switzerland https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL4Nib63Y0ATOKNMfgXjn42C3_qv1gOWxP
Playlist Italy https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL4Nib63Y0ATO58iX6K6Cm5UugBTaogn9Y
Playlist France https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL4Nib63Y0ATPnZx6LVGiD909QMKzngINC
Playlist Travel to Europe https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL4Nib63Y0ATNwP9lHO74aj5JmF9ANfz-J