Day 21 - September 8th, 2026

One Last Stroll Through Storybook Colmar

Today was our final day in Colmar, and it turned out to be the perfect unhurried farewell to Alsace.

We started the morning exactly where we had the day before—at the Covered Market. Breakfast was simple but wonderful: a fresh bretzel, an assortment of delicious French cheeses, pâté, yogurt, and coffee. It felt like the ideal way to begin another relaxed day in this beautiful region, surrounded by locals doing their morning shopping and the aromas of fresh bread and produce.

After breakfast, we spent the morning wandering through Colmar’s enchanting Old Town. There was no rush and no strict itinerary—just strolling along the colorful half-timbered streets, crossing the little canals, admiring the flower-filled façades, and enjoying the atmosphere that makes Colmar feel almost too picturesque to be real. Every street seemed to offer another postcard view.

One of the highlights of the morning was the boat ride through Little Venice. Seeing the town from the water gave us an entirely different perspective. Gliding quietly beneath the bridges and past the historic houses made Colmar feel even more charming, and it was easy to understand why this little corner of the city has become one of its defining images.

We also visited the Hansi Museum, dedicated to the beloved Alsatian illustrator Jean-Jacques Waltz, better known as Hansi. His cheerful watercolors and illustrations beautifully capture the spirit of Alsace—its villages, traditions, costumes, and landscapes—while quietly reflecting the region’s fascinating history of shifting between France and Germany. It was a small museum but a delightful glimpse into the culture and identity of Alsace.

Lunch brought us back to the Covered Market one last time, where we shared a delicious pinsa. Returning to the market felt fitting—it had quickly become one of our favorite places in Colmar, full of life, wonderful food, and an authentic local atmosphere.

In the afternoon we continued exploring the town. Unfortunately, the Unterlinden Museum was closed, so instead we enjoyed browsing Colmar’s many charming independent boutiques. One favorite was Good Vibe, a cheerful clothing boutique with a wonderful selection of colorful, high-quality pieces. Although I didn’t buy anything, I had a great time browsing, and my friend found an adorable Danish sweater featuring two birds that she was thrilled with.

Around six in the evening, we left Colmar and drove to our overnight stop near Besançon, staying at the Akena Besançon. It was a practical choice rather than a destination in itself—a clean, basic, functional hotel that made parking easy and positioned us well for exploring Besançon the following day.

For dinner, we walked to the nearby La Boucherie, a restaurant specializing in French beef. I ordered a glass of Piscine Tendre Rosé, pleasantly sweet—exactly the way I like it. My main course was the Araignée de Bœuf (“Spider Steak”), one of the butcher’s prized hidden cuts of beef. It was wonderfully flavorful and served with an excellent sauce that made the dish especially memorable. For dessert, I finished with the Douceur d’Été, a refreshing combination of apricot compote, mascarpone cream, strawberry coulis, and crunchy crumble—the perfect ending to the meal.

As our last day in Alsace came to a close, I realized how much this region had exceeded my expectations. The storybook villages, outstanding food, welcoming atmosphere, beautiful wines, and unique blend of French and German heritage made it one of the highlights of the trip. Colmar was the perfect place to say goodbye before continuing south into Burgundy.