ALSACE - France 2014 - page 1394

helpful signs that seem to pop up whenever you need them (directing visitors to the vari-
ous sights). For tourists, the town center is Place Unterlinden (a 20-minute walk from the
trainstation),whereyou'llfindColmar'smostimportantmuseum,theTI(closeby),anda
big Monoprix supermarket/department store. City bus routes as well as the touristic mini-
trains start near Place Unterlinden.
Colmar is most busy from May through September and during its festive Christmas
season ( www.noel-colmar.com ) . Weekends draw crowds all year (best to book lodging
ahead). The impressive music festival fills hotels the first two weeks of July
( www.festival-colmar.com ) ,andthelocalwinefestivalragesinJulyandAugust.Anopen-
air market bustles next to the Church of St. Martin on Saturdays.
Tourist Information
The TI is hidden behind the Monoprix store, near City Hall at 32 Cours Sainte-Anne
(labeled Mairie de Colmar ). It's signed from the square in front of the Unterlinden Mu-
seum(April-OctMon-Sat9:00-18:00,until19:00July-Aug,Sun10:00-13:00;Nov-March
Mon-Sat 9:00-12:00 & 14:00-18:00, Sun 10:00-13:00; tel. [phone], www.ot-col-
mar.fr ) . The TI can reserve hotel and chambre d'hôte rooms for Colmar and the region.
Pickupthecitymap,getinformation aboutconcerts andfestivals inColmar andinnearby
villages, and ask about Colmar's Folklore Evenings held on summer Tuesdays (described
later under “Nightlife in Colmar”). The TI has bike maps, a list of launderettes, and places
where you can get online. Pick up the free Route du Vin map and get information on bike
rental and bus schedules for touring the wine villages.
Arrival in Colmar
By Train and Bus: The old and new (TGV) parts of Colmar's train station are connected
by an underground passageway. Baggage check is available at Colmar Vélo to the left as
you leave the station (donation requested, see “Helpful Hints,” later).
TheoldtrainstationwasbuiltduringPrussianruleusingthesameplansasthestation
in Danzig (now Gda ń sk, Poland). Check out the charming 1991 window that shows two
localmaidensabouttoberunoverbyatrainandrescuedbyanartist.Opposite,he'sshown
painting their portraits.
Buses to Route du Vin villages arrive and depart from stops to the left as you leave
the old station (though stop locations can change—ask a driver on any bus), as well as
from stops closer to the city center (ask at the TI and see “Route du Vin,” later).
To reach the town center, walk straight out past Hôtel Bristol, turn left on Avenue de
la République, and keep walking (15 minutes total). For a faster trip, take any Trace bus
from the station (to the left as you leave the old station) to the Champ de Mars stop (Place