The French town of Colmar, often called 'Little Venice', has been hailed as one of the world's prettiest towns, with its pastel-coloured houses, winding cobbled streets and flower-lined canals evoking a storybook setting.
Travel YouTuber Project Gaia described it as the 'most enchanting city in the world', and the Alsace destination is said to have inspired Belle's village in Disney's Beauty and the Beast. While summer crowds flock to Paris and the Riviera, Colmar offers a more peaceful alternative, with fewer queues and more space to enjoy its charm.
Tourists can take boat trips along the canals, explore the historic Petite Venise district, and sample Alsatian specialities such as choucroute, tarte flambée and Munster cheese, paired with local wines like Riesling and Gewurztraminer. The town also hosts summer festivals, outdoor concerts and street markets.
Colmar boasts a well-preserved medieval centre and landmarks including the Unterlinden Museum, Maison Pfister and Saint Martin's Church. According to official data from INSEE, Alsace tourism saw a 4.7% drop in overnight visits in summer 2024 compared with 2023, but Colmar still attracts about 3.5 million visitors annually.
The majority of tourists visit during the Christmas markets, with 1.5 million coming for the festive season alone, making summer an ideal time to experience the town with fewer crowds. One TripAdvisor reviewer praised the 'Little Venice' quarter, calling it a 'delight' and recommending a gondola ride along the canal.
