Little Venice

Little Venice

When it comes to the most romantic spot in the French tourist town of Colmar, there’s no doubt that the famous Little Venice area takes the crown. This district is crisscrossed with canals and boasts exceptionally beautiful cultural and natural scenery, earning it the nickname “Little Venice.”

Pass through the Tanners' Quarter (Le Quartier des Tanneurs) and you’ll enter the breathtaking Little Venice area of Colmar. The Tanners' Quarter, with its 17th- and 18th-century houses, has been remarkably preserved thanks to renovations in the 1970s. Its narrow, deep houses—built not from stone but entirely from wooden panels—are among the best-preserved ancient residential areas in Colmar. As for Little Venice, it’s a remnant of the lives of fishermen and boatmen from times past. After catching fish in the lakes just outside Colmar, these fishermen would bring their catch back to sell in the city. But there’s another reason why Little Venice, with its flower-bedecked houses, is so stunning. In addition to fishermen, many horticultural florists also used the canals here to transport flowers. Naturally, those living along the waterways couldn’t help but plant colorful blooms on their balconies and terraces.

Walk along the bend toward the Fishermen’s Bridge, and the scenery unfolds along the canal—the closer the river gets to the riverside houses, the more picturesque it becomes. The two-story half-timbered houses in butter-yellow, powder-blue, grass-green, and bright red colors stand tightly packed next to the clear water like a painter’s palette. Some people enjoy the sunshine and delicious food at waterside restaurants, while others take a light boat and drift toward the center of the canal. You might not believe your eyes, but this fairytale-like scene is right before you.

Petite Venise

Reason to Visit: The most romantic spot in Colmar

Continent: Europe【Europe】

Country/Region: France[France]

Province/State: Alsace Region [Alsace Region]

City: Colmar [Colmar]