Christmas in Colmar, France: Everything You Need to Know About Colmar Christmas Markets

If you are at all familiar with France you’ve no doubt heard of the fairytale town of Colmar. It’s said to be the jewel of the Alsace region and the inspiration behind the village in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. After a couple of minutes of walking through ‘Little Venice’ you’ll see why! Colmar, like Strasbourg, is most photographed in the spring and summer with an explosion of flowers hanging from windows. However, the holiday season bring about a whole different look and trust me when I say, it’s absolutely magical. Thinking about spending Christmas in Colmar? Here’s everything you need to know about Colmar Christmas Markets.

Where to Stay for Colmar Christmas Markets

Colmar old town is about 15-minute walk from the train station. This is where all the Christmas markets are and, ideally, it’s, therefore, the best place to stay. It is very small, however, and can get pricey during the festive season so feel free to look for places outside of the town as well.

For some suggestions on where to stay in the old town of Colmar, consider:

• Hotel le Colombier Suites
• Hotel le Marechal
• Mercure Colmar Centre Unterlinden 

Also, I want to mention that since Colmar is so tiny, it is a perfect day trip destination from the nearby bigger Strasbourg. This is how I visited the Colmar Christmas markets and it was really easy. I’ll share more on how to do that below but keep it in mind because Christmas markets in Strasbourg are pretty incredible so I absolutely recommend combining them. 

What to Expect in Colmar at Christmas 

Christmas markets in Colmar, France have a different opening date every year, so make sure to check on the tourism site ahead of time. Usually, they start the last week of November. Markets open at 10am and close rather early; 7pm most nights, 8pm on weekends.

Colmar has 6 Christmas markets in total, all very close together to the point where they actually tend to almost intertwine together. Which, really, just makes it that much more magical. The Colmar Christmas markets can be found in the following locations:

• Place Des Dominicains
• Place de l’Ancienne Douane
• Place Jeanne d’Arc
• Koifhus- Indoor Market
• Little Venice (Petite Venise)
• Gourmet Market Place de la Cathedrale

Colmar’s Christmas markets are much smaller than what you will find in Strasbourg, but don’t let that deter you because they still have plenty of charm.

Food is a common find at the Colmar Christmas markets. You can expect to find a number of stalls selling red or white mulled wine along with cider or hot chocolate. Of course, it wouldn’t be a French Christmas market without crepes and baguettes for sale as well! And, as per the Alsace region, you’ll find lots of little local Christmas cookies called bredel that are great for munching as you wander along or to take home to friends and family for the holidays.

You’ll also find plenty of Christmas ornaments and handmade goods including pottery (another popular souvenir from this region) or linens. Other common items for sale include jewellery, toys for children, and even artwork.

Don’t just browse the market stalls though! There are plenty of really cute Christmas stores in Colmar as well where you can find some great Christmas items!

Colmar at Christmas: Prettiest Places to Photograph

I’ll be honest, all of Colmar is beautiful and if you are anything like me you’ll be walking around with your cellphone in one hand and camera in the other. I’ve been to Colmar Christmas markets twice now and both times drained my camera battery! 

Little Venice is the most picturesque area and it’s done up with Christmas lights and decorations as well during the holiday season. The canal area is stunning, and keep walking across the bridge and down the streets and you’ll find yellow, blue, and pink houses that truly do look like they belong in Beauty and the Beast.

As you leave Little Venice and enter the main part of town you’ll find brightly coloured houses lining all the streets and Christmas decorations everywhere. To be honest, everything is worth looking at. Just don’t forget to look up to see the displays as well! 

Colmar Christmas Markets : A Perfect Day Trip from Strasbourg

Colmar is really small, so instead of spending my time there, I chose to visit as a day trip from Strasbourg. It’s only 30 minutes by train and trains seem to run about every half-hour so it was incredibly easy.

I timed both my Colmar Christmas visits so that I arrived early in the morning to take photos before the crowds came (good idea) which meant that by 3pm I had done and seen everything I wanted to so I headed back to my base in Strasbourg. It did, sadly, mean that I didn’t get to see Colmar’s Christmas markets all lit up at night, however, I could have stayed longer if I wanted to.

I do keep thinking that it might be nice to stay one night here. However, since I always end up travelling with a large suitcase I prefer having a base to explore the region so I don’t have to keep packing up. So, for me, Colmar has been a perfect and easy day trip from Strasbourg.

You can book your tickets ahead of time or, you can do what I did, and just buy from one of the machines at the station. It’s super easy and you can use your credit card. Just remember to validate your ticket at one of the yellow machines before boarding the train! If you are using a EuRail pass, check ahead of time as some of the trains back and forth do require seat reservations. I had a pass for my second visit and just made sure to choose a time that didn’t require one.

Final Tips for Visiting Colmar Christmas Markets 

Adding Colmar to your Christmas market list? You absolutely should! But, here are a couple of things to keep in mind.

• Midweek will be much quieter on the weekend so, if you can, try to arrange to visit Monday-Thursday.
• Colmar is popular year-round, especially at Christmas. So book well in advance!
• Dress warmly, but also prepare yourself for rain. My first visit there was rain in the forecast so I recommend bringing a travel umbrella in case.
• Bring a reusable bag/day pack for your purchases. Most vendors just wrap things in paper rather than provide bags which can make it tricky to carry things around. I brought this packable day bag (that I love) and it was perfect for Christmas market shopping.
• While it doesn’t have the same security measures as Strasbourg, you will see a large number of police/military/security walking around the markets. It’s protocol after the attacks of 2018, so don’t stress.

Colmar is a stunning town, especially at Christmas. So, if you are in the area during the holiday season do not miss the Colmar Christmas markets!

Ready to Book Your Trip?

Don’t forget travel insurance!

Please do not travel without travel insurance! I’ve had to use it multiple times throughout my travels and it has saved me thousands of dollars. You can learn more about travel insurance here. If you are looking for a provider I love and recommend SafetyWing. For Canadian readers, take a look at SoNomad.

Book your accommodation

I love and recommend booking.com for accommodation. They have a range of hostels, guesthouses, hotels, and resorts. Plus, the platform has a great loyalty program that means the more you book, the more you can save. 

Book your tours

My go-to tour provider that I love to recommend is GetYourGuide. They have options all over the world and partner with local companies for everything from day trips to food experiences and even airport transfers. 

Get connected

If you want to have data while travelling for online maps or any other needs, an esim is one of the easiest solutions. I have used esims around the world from Brazil to Uzbekistan, Greece to the USA- they are super easy and you don’t risk losing your home sim! There are two brands I have used and recommend so I suggest comparing both. 

Airalo: download the app, pick what country you want an esim for, and after you purchase it follow the installation instructions. You can use promo code HANNAH3326 to save $3USD on your next esim purchase.

Truely: This one is easier in that it’s a one-time download instead of downloading an esim for each country. It also allows you to hotspot and tether- which not all esims do. Check out options here.

Not sure what to pack?

I have destination-specific guides for some countries but you can also check my travel essentials and camera gear if you are looking for some ideas. 

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