A ridiculously beautiful village that’s been nicknamed the ‘home of Christmas’ has become a hit on social media thanks to its medieval architecture, colourful buildings, cobbled streets and storybook-worthy squares. 

Colmar in France has long been a holiday hotspot thanks to its picturesque timbered houses that line the canals, not to mention the independent shops, craft beer breweries, and cafés where you can sample some of that world-famous French cuisine.

It’s one of many storybook villages that make up the Alsace region on the border of Germany, renowned for the breathtaking scenery it offers.

In recent years, Colmar’s Instagram-worthy backdrops have seen it enjoy a boost of popularity year-round. It’s been described as a ‘French-style Little Venice’, and will often feature on round-ups of some of Europe’s most romantic destinations.

The fishmonger’s district is where you’ll find plenty of waterfront timbered buildings painted in a wide array of pastel colours, not to mention it offers a fascinating glimpse into the history of the town which once was home to a thriving fishing industry. 

Meanwhile, one quirky highlight not to miss is the town’s very own Statue of Liberty. It’s actually a 12m-high replica of the Statue of Liberty, which was built to commemorate the 100th death anniversary of the sculptor Auguste Batholdi. On those rainy days, there are plenty of fun indoor attractions including a Toy Museum that’s sure to appeal to both kids and grown-ups. 

For some unrivalled views of the village, it’s well worth booking in on one of the boat trips that sails down the canals for a unique tour! 

The festive season brings something extra magical. That’s because it transforms into a real-life winter wonderland thanks to a wide array of Christmas markets, twinkling lights that adorn the buildings, and heaps of alpine-style stalls that open up to serve everything from that must-eat French cheese to mulled wines. That festive magic has seen Colmar unofficially take the title of ‘Europe’s Christmas Capital’. 

It’s not just the Christmas magic that has visitors coming from all around the world; the village also boasts a Disney link. That’s because when animators were working on 1991’s animated Beauty and the Beast, they headed to the Alsace region to get inspired for creating the provincial town where Belle and her father live. (In fact, Lumiere’s performance of ‘Be Our Guest’ includes the lyric “after all, Miss, this is France”). 

Colmar’s charm and well-preserved buildings proved to be one of the spots that animators drew upon when they created the fairytale style (and there’s the bonus that you won’t be hassled by Gaston as you make your way through the town, although you might face some crowds during the peak seasons). 

To reach Colmar, the closest airports are Paris, Strasbourg and Lyon. Paris is about a 2h20 train journey away, while Lyon is over three hours, so if you’re looking to do a quick weekend of it, Strasbourg is your best bet as it’s about a 45-50 minute drive away. 

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