Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Bike Rental: Colmar Vélo
rents bikes at the train station (€12/day, behind the bike racks
on the left as you leave the station, Mon-Fri 8:00-12:00 & 14:00-19:00, Sat-Sun
9:00-19:00, tel. 03 89 41 37 90). I prefer renting a bike along the Route du Vin in
Eguisheim or Ribeauvillé (suggestions given later in this chapter). If you plan to do
much biking, buy a biking map either at the TI or a
librarie
(bookstore).
Taxis:
You can find one at the train station (70 yards to your left as you walk out), or call
03 89 23 10 33, mobile 06 14 47 21 80 (William), or mobile 06 72 94 65 55.
Car Rental:
The least expensive is
ADA
(17 Place de Lattre de Tassigny, tel. 03 89 23 90
30,
www.ada.fr
)
.
Avis
is at the train station (tel. 03 89 23 16 89). The TI has a list of
other options.
Poodle Care:
Togiveyourpoodleashampooandahaircut(orjustwatchtheaction),drop
by
Quatt Pattes
(near Hôtel Rapp at 8 Rue Berthe Molly).
Guided Tours:
There are no scheduled city tours in English, but private English-speaking
guides
are available through the TI if you book in advance (€160/3 hours, tel. 03 89
20 68 95,
visitesguidees@ot-colmar.fr
). Two companies run excellent
minivan tours
Tourist Train
Colmarhastwocompetingchoo-chootrains(greenandwhite)thatjostlealongthecobbles
of the old part of town offering visitors a relaxing, narrated tour under a glass roof. Both
trains leave across from the Unterlinden Museum (daily 9:00-18:00) and offer a scant
recorded commentary in English. The green train is a little shorter and cheaper (€6, 30
minutes,€1lesswithUnterlindenMuseumticket)andthewhitetrainrangesalittlefarther
for a bit more (€6.50, 40 minutes). In the summer,
horse-drawn carriages
do a similar
route.
Canal Cruise
Little, flat-bottomed boats glide silently on a straight stretch of the city's canal, making
a simple 30-minute lap back and forth with little or no narration (€6, departures every
10 minutes, daily 10:00-18:00). With 8 or 10 others, you'll pack onto the boat, gliding
peacefully—powered by a silent electric motor—through a lush garden world under wil-
lows. While the route is kind of pathetic, the tranquility is enjoyable. Try to sit in front for
an unobstructed view. Boats depart from docks near the bridges on Rue de Turenne and
Boulevard St. Pierre, both in Petite Venise.
