Colmar, France – the perfect honeymoon spot

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Why Colmar

Could it be? Is Colmar really the best place to go for your honeymoon in France?!

Absolutely! Colmar is compact, colorful and affordable. This tiny town is lively and packed with history, and full of great architecture and good-smelling eats. I’ve compiled a petite summary of what to see and do when visiting this relaxing, romantic and rejuvenating honeymoon town.

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Something old

Founded in the 9th Century, Colmar is a UNESCO protected heritage site. Some highly reinforced and incredibly beautiful buildings, both religious and secular, can be found all over Colmar, dating back as early as the 13th century. Some of the main sites are the Maison Pfister, Saint Martin’s Church, the tall water tower and the Unterlinden Museum, one of the Alsace region’s top museums. Colmar has peaceful canals in the city center, stemming from the Lauch River. Located in the Alsace region of France, Colmar is known for wine trails and picturesque architecture, which are unique to the Alsatian part of France and the Bavarian region of Germany. Storks (the bird) are also a big hit here, symbolizing good luck and prosperity.

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Something new

We really enjoyed the modern art displays throughout old town in various shop windows, as well as the detailed murals mirroring buildings and views found throughout the inner city. Colmar has multiple fountains that were built within the last hundred years.

If you’re looking for a snack or a taste of something local, there is a large market in the very center of town with fresh cheeses, chocolates and candies. There are ice cream sellers with sweet mango sorbet nearby, and restaurants with wine tastings going all day long. There is also a Casino supermarket in the city center, which is where we found some freshly squeezed OJ and breakfast goodies.

My partner and I stayed in an Airbnb right next to the train station, which was a 15 minute walk from the old town. We stayed with a local guy, Ben, who rented out two rooms in his cool, retro apartment. There are quite a few Airbnbs that have popped up around the city, but we thoroughly enjoyed getting away from the crowds and having a quiet and peaceful evening. The black-out shades didn’t hurt, either. I wouldn’t recommend this place for a honeymoon, but there are bountiful amounts of romantic hotels and guest houses in Colmar. If you stay in the city, you definitely don’t need a car, unless you want to drive to the local Statue of Liberty.

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Something borrowed

Well, quite a few things, actually:

1. The most famous – and photographed – spot in Colmar is La Petite Venise, which lives up to its highly renowned reputation. The water trickles quietly, the swans doze lazily and surrounding restaurants waft smells that can only be described as heavenly. The best part of Colmar is this famous bridge, which has flowers bursting from every banister, and rainbow colored half-timbered houses that give the Alsace region its charm.

2. Everywhere in Colmar you can find chattering birds, bushes of exotic flowers, and – most notably – authentic German restaurants. They are so realistic because Colmar was a German town not once, but twice. (Known as “Kolmar,”). There is sausage, beer, sauerkraut, spätzl, pretzels, salad and potatoes – anything you foodies of the Deutschland could ever want. Considering its history, it is no surprise that Colmar’s food, as well as street names and shop titles – are often a reflection their not so distant German roots.

3. We all the shimmering fountains, but my favorite was the twin of Brussels’ Manneken Pis, who stands tucked in a corner of the old city. Roughly the size of Belgium’s original, the tiny boy is adorable. However, he does not actual “Pis” in this fountain, as this piece is more for decoration.

4. We also saw tiny plaques on the ground with a picture of Lady Liberty, referencing the French’s Statue of Liberty found just a few minutes by car outside of town, the twin to NYC’s massive symbol of freedom and friendship with France.

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Something Blue

And red. And orange. And yellow. And green and purple and white. Seriously, this town is bursting with color. Colmar is basically a rainbow on steroids. Around every corner, there are tiny shops and hidden courtyards, built hundreds of years ago, with wooden beams and colorful facades, creating an incredibly beautiful – and photogenic – combination. Colmar has romantic bridges, bright flowers, and quaint Mom ‘n Pop shops, but the best part of my visit was heading to the La Venise bridge, very early in the morning, to catch the sunrise in one of the most beautiful cities in the world.

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Relax, take pictures and EAT!

Colmar is one of France’s best kept secrets, complete with beautiful parks, mouth-watering goodies, and traditional architecture. Its quiet nature and romantic charm leaves visitors captivated. The beauty of Colmar’s quaint bridges, colorful houses and brilliant flower displays, combined with samples of chocolate and wine and pretzels and ice cream, is bound to make your honeymoon a delightful and enchanting occasion.

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