My Photography & Travel Guide to Colmar, France
Colmar had been on my photography list for years, and when we finally arrived in December for the Christmas markets, it was everything I had hoped for and then some.
The town is small. You can cover it on foot in the morning and still feel like you are missing corners worth finding. But the scale is part of what makes it work so well. Every street in the Old Town is walkable, every canal is within a short turn, and every morning before the visitors arrive, you can have the pastel timber-framed houses and the reflections in the canals almost entirely to yourself. Go early. Colmar rewards the early riser in the way that all beautiful small towns do: you get the light and the quiet at the same time.
We walked through the Christmas markets at dusk and again the next morning, photographed Little Venice at sunrise with the mist still on the water, sat in the cafes for coffee and lunch when the cold needed somewhere warm to go, and felt throughout that we had been saving this trip for the right moment, and the right moment had finally arrived.
Colmar sits in the Alsace region of northeastern France, near the German border, and the architecture reflects centuries of that dual identity: French wine culture and German timber framing, combined into something that belongs entirely to this specific valley. The Christmas market tradition here is among the finest in Europe. The vineyards are a fifteen-minute drive in any direction. And Little Venice, the canal quarter at the southern end of the Old Town, is one of the most photogenic short stretches in any French city.
You can visit Colmar as a day trip from Strasbourg or Basel, both less than an hour by train. Two nights give you two mornings of golden hour and two evenings at the markets, which is the right amount of time to photograph it properly. Either way, go early and stay late.
In this Photography Guide to Colmar, I share the photography locations, the hotels and restaurants worth knowing, and the specific timing that makes this small Alsatian town photograph at its best.
The Classic View
Where to Stay in Colmar
The best place to stay in Colmar is the Old Town, where the magic truly unfolds. You’ll be within walking distance of major attractions, canals, and sunrise/sunset photo ops.
Luxury Hotels in Colmar:
La Maison des Têtes — The finest address in Colmar. A 17th-century mansion on Rue des Têtes, named for the 111 sculpted heads that cover the facade, is one of the most architecturally distinctive buildings in the Old Town. The interior has been converted into a five-star hotel with genuinely beautiful rooms, and the Michelin-starred restaurant beneath the same roof is one of the best in Alsace. A serious luxury choice if the budget extends to it.
L'Esquisse Hotel & Spa Colmar – MGallery — A polished MGallery property on the edge of the historic district, combining contemporary design with excellent spa facilities. Strong choice for travelers who want modern comfort alongside access to the Old Town. The spa makes it an excellent base for a longer stay.
James Boutique Hotel — A boutique hotel with refined interiors and good walkability in the Old Town. Smaller and more personal than the MGallery. Well-regarded for its service and its positioning close to the key photography locations.
Mid-Range Hotels:
Hotel Le Colombier — Steps from Little Venice, with canal views from some rooms and the rustic-modern Alsatian character that makes small regional hotels worth choosing over chains. The position is excellent for photographers: you can be at the Little Venice waterfront before sunrise without a taxi.
Hotel Saint-Martin — A charming stay inside a traditional Alsatian building in the historic center. Full of character without the full luxury pricing. The kind of hotel that feels genuinely local rather than designed for tourists.
Hotel Turenne — Clean, reliable, and well-located, a short walk from the historic center. The most accessible price point among the Old Town options. Good value for a two-night photography stay.
How Many Days to Spend in Colmar?
1-2 days is ideal for photographers and travelers alike. This gives you time to wander the winding streets at different hours for varied lighting, explore nearby villages like Eguisheim or Riquewihr, and enjoy the local culture without rushing.
Best Time to Visit Colmar
The best time to visit Colmar for photography is late spring (May–June) and autumn (September–October), and during the Christmas markets. Expect golden light, fewer crowds, and rich colors—perfect for photography.
Spring: Flower boxes overflow with color.
Fall: Vineyards and trees ignite in reds and oranges.
December: Visit one of the most magical Christmas Markets in Europe, with dazzling lights and charming decorations.
Getting Around Colmar
Colmar is made for walking. The Old Town is compact and flat, and nearly every photo-worthy corner is pedestrian-friendly.
Public transport isn’t essential unless you’re heading out to nearby villages.
Bike rentals are available, but cobblestones can make for a bumpy ride.
Uber and Bolt operate here, but aren’t always available.
Trains connect Colmar with Strasbourg and Basel easily for day trips.
A Santa Letter Box
Restaurants in Colmar
From Alsatian classics to refined French cuisine, here’s where to eat in Colmar:
Wistub de la Petite Venise — The most atmospheric restaurant in Colmar and the right choice for a long Alsatian lunch. Traditional tarte flambée, choucroute garnie, and Alsatian wines in a room that is cozy in the way that old stone and low ceilings and good food in cold weather always produce. Photogenic from every angle and full of locals who know what they are eating.
JY's — Two Michelin stars by the canal, the finest restaurant in Colmar. Chef Jean-Yves Schillinger's kitchen draws on Alsatian ingredients with a creative contemporary technique that earns the stars consistently. The canal position adds a view to match the food. Reserve in advance.
Brasserie Schwendi — The honest, unpretentious option for Alsatian classics: tarte flambée with crème fraîche and lardons, choucroute with sausages and potatoes, Alsatian beer on tap. Full of atmosphere, fair prices, and the specific warmth of a brasserie that has been feeding the town for a long time.
La Soï — Small, casual, and well-regarded for its spätzle, the Alsatian egg noodles that are the region's most comforting cold-weather food. A good lunch stop when the Christmas market has reminded you how cold December in Alsace can be.
Coffee Shops in Colmar
L’Atelier de Yann – Great for pastries, coffee, and natural light photos.
Café Rapp – Stylish, central, and cozy.
Café de la Rue des Marchands – Quaint, old-world charm and good espresso.
Photography Gear for Colmar
Recommended Camera Bodies:
Canon EOS R5 Mark II
Nikon Z8
Sony A7R V
Lenses:
16–35mm wide-angle: For canals and interiors.
24–70mm zoom: Versatile, great for architecture and portraits.
70–200mm telephoto: Ideal for compressing charming façades or isolating details.
Accessories:
Lightweight tripod (ideal for early morning or evening canal shots)
Circular polarizer (for reducing glare on water)
Drone (check local regulations carefully—urban drone flights are restricted)
Photography Spots in Colmar
Petite Venise (Little Venice) — The defining image of Colmar. The canal quarter at the southern end of the Old Town, where flower-draped half-timbered houses reflect in still water and a footbridge crosses at a gentle curve. The most iconic composition in Colmar and the most crowded location by mid-morning.
Pro Tip: Arrive before sunrise. The canal is mirror-still in the early morning and you will have the reflections without the boat traffic or foot traffic that disrupts the water by 9 a.m. A 16-35mm wide-angle from the western bank captures the full curve of the canal houses. A 70-200mm compresses the facades from the footbridge. Return at blue hour after the Christmas market lights come on: the colored reflections on the water at dusk are the finest light of the day.
Rue des Marchands — The main street of the Old Town, lined with half-timbered houses in varying heights and a palette of yellow, pink, green, and ochre that looks most saturated in overcast light. The Maison Pfister at number 11, with its 16th-century painted facade and corner oriel, is the street's most distinctive building.
Pro Tip: Overcast days are better here than direct sunlight, which creates harsh shadows between the buildings and loses the color saturation. Walk the full length in both directions before committing to a composition. A 24-70mm standard zoom handles the street perspective well; a 70-200mm isolates specific facade details from the far end of the street.
Covered Market (Marché Couvert) — The 1865 iron-framed covered market is Colmar's finest interior photography environment: good natural light from the high windows, colorful produce and cheese vendors, Alsatian sausages and wines, and the specific energy of a market that serves residents rather than tourists.
Pro Tip: Visit on Saturday morning when the market is at full capacity. A 35mm prime keeps you compact and unobtrusive. The best compositions are at stall level, looking up toward the iron roof structure, and the cheese and charcuterie stalls in the early light. Arrive before 10 a.m.
Koïfhus (Old Customs House) — The 15th-century customs house at the center of the Old Town, with an arcaded ground floor, a loggia on the upper floor, and a roofline of polychrome glazed tiles. One of the most architecturally detailed buildings in Colmar, and dramatically underrepresented in most photography guides.
Pro Tip: Photograph from the square to the south in the morning when the light hits the facade directly. The glazed tile roof requires a distance of 70-200mm to isolate the color pattern against the sky. The arcades at ground level create strong geometric shadow patterns in afternoon light.
Dominican Church — A 13th-century Gothic church that contains Martin Schongauer's altarpiece "Madonna of the Rose Bower" (1473), one of the most significant paintings in Alsace. The exterior at golden hour, when the late light catches the stone facade, is the strongest architectural photography subject in the church district.
Pro Tip: The exterior is best photographed from the square to the west in the late afternoon. Interior photography is permitted, but the altarpiece is small and requires a longer lens from the nave. Attend an evening service during the Christmas market period: the church lit with candles and the sound of the organ is a distinctly Colmar experience.
Unterlinden Museum Courtyard — A 13th-century Dominican convent courtyard, now the entrance to the finest art museum in Alsace, which houses the Isenheim Altarpiece by Matthias Grünewald (1512-1516), one of the most powerful paintings in European art.
Pro Tip: The courtyard is most photogenic in the morning when the light comes at a low angle across the cloister arches. Photography is permitted in the permanent collection. The Isenheim Altarpiece is extraordinary and should not be skipped even on a photography-focused visit: some things are worth putting the camera down for.
Festivals & Events in Colmar
🎄 Colmar Christmas Market (Late Nov–Dec): One of the most photogenic in Europe.
🎨 Festival of Alsatian Culture (July): Folk costumes, music, and vibrant celebrations.
🍷 Alsace Wine Fair (August): A blend of wine, music, and photo-worthy moments in nearby towns.
Final Thoughts
The Christmas market lights came on while we were at Little Venice and the canal turned gold and green and red below us. Every other photographer who was there stopped talking. The reflections were better than the lights themselves. For about five minutes, nobody moved.
That is Colmar in December. Small enough to feel entirely yours when the morning is quiet. Beautiful enough to stop you mid-conversation when the light changes. The kind of place you save up for years and then find yourself wondering why it took so long.
Go early. The first hour before the markets open and the tour groups arrive belongs to photographers. The Old Town at seven in the morning in December, with the frost on the cobblestones and the Christmas lights still on above Rue des Marchands, is one of the finest photography walks in France. Sit in a café when the cold arrives. Stay for lunch. Come back in the afternoon for the markets in the fading light.
You can do it as a day trip from Strasbourg or Basel. Two nights are better.
If you enjoyed this Photography and Travel Guide to Colmar, you can explore my other Photography and Travel Guides here, including my guides to Paris and Étretat.
If you are interested in joining one of my photography workshops, you can find the details through the link. You can also follow along on Instagram, Facebook, or subscribe to my newsletter for more travel photography tips and behind-the-scenes insight.
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