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Weather in Colmar
Alsace's most enchanting half-timbered canal town
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About Colmar
Colmar is Alsatian perfection—half-timbered houses in jewel colours line canals; the old town smells of wood and wine; winter markets transform the squares into magical scenes. This is France's most charming small town, and deservedly photographed constantly.
Best months to visit
June, July, August, September
Language
French, Alsatian
Things to do in Colmar
Explore the Little Venice (Petite Venise) by boat or foot
Visit the Unterlinden Museum (Isenheim Altarpiece)
Browse Christmas markets (November-December)
Taste Alsatian wine and flammekuchen (pizza-like dish)
Hike in nearby Vosges mountains
Explore the wine route through surrounding villages
Weather by month
Click any month for detailed weather information and travel tips.
January
6C
Cold, with regular rainfall.
February
8C
Cold, with some rainy days.
March
12C
Cool, with some rainy days.
April
15C
Cool, with some rainy days.
May
19C
Mild and comfortable, with some rainy days.
Recommended
June
24C
Mild and comfortable, with some rainy days.
Recommended
July
26C
Warm and pleasant, with some rainy days.
Recommended
August
25C
Warm and pleasant, with some rainy days.
Recommended
September
22C
Mild and comfortable, with occasional showers.
October
17C
Cool, with some rainy days.
November
10C
Cool, with some rainy days.
December
7C
Cold, with some rainy days.
Colmar looks almost suspiciously like a film set — half-timbered, brightly painted houses lean over the canals of 'Petite Venise', window boxes overflow with geraniums, and the whole town feels frozen somewhere in the 16th century. It sits at the heart of the Alsace wine route, making it an ideal base for visiting vineyards and the half-timbered villages strung along the route between Strasbourg and the Vosges mountains.
Best areas to stay in Colmar
Petite Venise
The canal-side quarter of colourful half-timbered houses, the most photographed part of town.
Old Town & Koifhus
The historic centre around the old customs house, with markets, shops and the Bartholdi museum.
Alsace Wine Route
Nearby villages including Riquewihr, Eguisheim and Kaysersberg, each with their own vineyards and half-timbered streets.
Unterlinden Museum
A major art museum housed in a former convent, home to the Issenheim Altarpiece.
Getting to Colmar
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Flights
EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg is the nearest, about 45 minutes away; Strasbourg Airport is a further alternative.
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From London
~30 minutes by train from Strasbourg; around 6-7 hours total from London via Paris or Basel.
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Getting around
The old town is compact and walkable; a car or bus is useful for visiting the wine route villages.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Colmar?
Spring (for the wisteria and flower displays) and the Christmas market season (late November to December) are particularly magical, though Colmar is charming year-round.
What is 'Petite Venise'?
A canal-side quarter of colourful half-timbered houses, best explored on foot or by a short boat trip along the Lauch river.
Is Colmar a good base for the Alsace Wine Route?
Yes — Colmar sits centrally on the route, with villages like Riquewihr, Eguisheim and Kaysersberg all within a 15-30 minute drive, each with their own wine cellars to visit.
Is Colmar's Christmas market worth visiting?
Yes — it's one of Alsace's most picturesque, spread across several squares in the half-timbered old town, though it gets very busy on weekends in December.
How do I get to Colmar?
Colmar has a train station with connections to Strasbourg (about 30 minutes) and Basel; EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg is the nearest airport, about 45 minutes away.
Traveler reviews
★★★★★
Colmar's Christmas market was the prettiest we visited in Alsace, especially around Petite Venise lit up in the evening. Try to go on a weekday if possible — weekends are packed.
Margot S. · December 2024
★★★★★
Hired a car and spent two days driving the wine route — Riquewihr and Eguisheim were both gorgeous and the wine tastings were excellent value. Colmar itself was a perfect base.
Tom H. · May 2023
★★★★☆
Smaller than I expected but every street seemed to have a postcard view. The Unterlinden Museum's altarpiece was far more impressive than I'd anticipated.
Julie A. · September 2024
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