Lesser-known French town has picture postcard buildings and a connection to Disney film

Tourists looking for a peaceful break in France have been recommended a town that is said to have inspired a Disney film with its amazing buildings.

04:00, Sun, Jun 23, 2024

View of Petit Venice in central Colmar, France

Located under an hour away from Strasbourg, Colmar is a small town with plenty of character (Image: Getty)

When going abroad on holiday, many tourists enjoy visiting France due to its relaxed way of life, sunshine and convenience, with many destinations accessible in around an hour.

However, those looking to avoid the massive crowds typically found in cities such as Paris and Cannes should consider visiting Colmar in the Grand Est region of the country.

Lucy, who runs the travel blog On the Luce, noted that Colmar is believed to have played a role in the famous film Beauty and the Beast.

She explained: "Colmar was apparently the inspiration for the village in the Disney film Beauty and the Beast, and it's not hard to see why. Walking through its streets is like seeing childhood fairy stories come to life.

"There's a wooden turret which could be just perfect for Rapunzel to let her hair down from, tiny cottages that could make the ideal home for seven dwarfs and a candy-coloured bakery that Hansel and Gretel would love to get their teeth into."

View of Colmar old town featuring timber buildings

Colmar is well known for its timber framed buildings, many of which are painted in pastel colours (Image: Getty)

One of the best things to do on a trip to Colmar is simply walk along the narrow streets of the old town, where visitors are able to see a wide range of traditional buildings.

The area features plenty of German-style houses and shops with timber frames and incredibly distinctive pastel colours, often contrasted by vibrant flower arrangements around the windows.

Colmar's old town also features a wide range of independent shops and cafes, which make for an ideal spot to buy a few souvenirs and sample some local pastries and wine.

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View of a display of toys and games at Toy Museum

The Toy Museum documents how the items children have played with has changed society since the 1800s (Image: Getty)

On the Luce also suggested that tourists looking for a rather unique attraction in Colmar should take a trip to the Toy Museum, located in the centre of the town.

Based inside a former cinema, the museum showcases the most popular toys from every decade since the 1800s and how they reflected changes within society.

Admission is €5.50 (£4.65) for adults and €4.20 (£3.55) for under 15s, making it a fairly affordable day out for the young and the young at heart.

Colorful traditional french houses in Petit Venice

Located along the River Lauch, the homes of Petit Venice used to belong to merchants (Image: Getty)

Finally, On the Luce highlighted that those looking to take some photos and admire the beauty of Colmar take a trip to Petit Venice, said to be the most beautiful part of the town.

Historically the neighbourhood where Colmar's merchants would live, transporting goods from the nearby River Lauch to local businesses, residents would paint their houses to correspond with the trade they worked with.

The blogger suggested that one of the best ways to see Petit Venice is via a boat tour, suggesting that tourists should book their tickets in advance to avoid disappointment.