Overview
Colmar was our first stop after driving into France from Freiburg. The scenery changed almost immediately. Compared with the German side, the road felt greener and more pastoral, with fields and farmland taking over the landscape.
The approach to Colmar was less impressive. The outer districts and the roads toward the center felt more neglected and less comfortable than I had expected from such a famous destination. Until we reached the historic core, it did not feel like the entrance to one of France's most photographed towns.
The Old Town
The old town is visually beautiful and undeniably fairy-tale-like. Its historic appearance seems to have been preserved very deliberately. Even so, Colmar felt overrated to me. We had seen several places on this road trip that were just as attractive, while the crowding made this one much harder to enjoy.
Restaurants and cafés were packed, and finding somewhere to eat became a recurring problem. The uneven streets also made pushing a stroller more difficult than expected.
Eating Hours
Many restaurants did not begin dinner service before 6:30 pm. Trying to eat around 5:00 or 6:00 was frustrating, and the places that did open filled quickly. This was our experience rather than a rule for every restaurant, but it is worth planning around if you travel with a child or prefer an early dinner.
Verdict
Colmar's old town is attractive, but the weak approach, crowds and awkward meal timing reduced the experience. I understand why people photograph it, yet I did not find it exceptionally better than the other historic towns on this route.