This was a full day that included two excursions. While docked in Breisach Germany, we had lunch upon our return to the ship. I had read about Colmar being a beautiful place to visit, so we booked a 4-hour afternoon excursion there as soon as we could (about 4 months before the cruise). The Rhine is the border between France and Germany at Breisach and Colmar is about 23km west of the Viking dock. Per Google: “Colmar is a town in the Grand Est region of northeastern France, near the border with Germany. Its old town has cobblestone streets lined with half-timbered medieval and early Renaissance buildings. The Gothic 13th-century, Eglise Saint-Martin church stands on central Place de la Cathédrale. The city is on the Alsace Wine Route, and local vineyards specialize in Riesling and Gewürztraminer wines.”

The Viking description of the excursion is as follows:
“A Canal-Lined Medieval Gem: Stroll the charming medieval lanes and squares of Colmar and explore its “Little Venice” quarter. With its 9th-century streets, 13th-century Gothic churches and original Old Town, Colmar seems torn from a storybook. The city overflows with intact Alsatian homes and a colorful mix of French and German Renaissance architecture. You will accompany your guide to the city. Then, in the beautifully restored Quartier des Tanneurs, named for the tanners who worked in its 17th-century half-timbered houses, admire lanes of medieval houses and the Schwendi Fountain. This masterwork was sculpted by Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi, creator of the Statue of Liberty. Later, stroll through the charming La Petite Venise and enjoy the picturesque views from the bridge across the Lauch River. You will have free time to peruse the fine art at the Musée d’Unterlinden (Museum under the Linden Trees) or shop for regional wines like Riesling and Gewürztraminer.”

After about a half hour ride in a Viking coach, we arrived in Colmar. We had a tour around part of the city (population ~70,000) via a “land train” that took us to the heart of the Quartier des Tanneurs. We wandered around and took photos, had a delicious snack and then rode the “land train” back to the waiting coach and then back to the ship. Colmar was definitely worth visiting.

My previous post (including a map) can be found at https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-806262-1.html, while the first post of this series (that includes a map of all of the places where we stopped) can be found at https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-801137-1.html

Next up: Colmar France part 2