Colmar is the birthplace of Frédéric-Auguste Bartholdi, builder of numerous statues and carvings throughout France but most famously remembered for his ‘Statue of Liberty’, donated to the American people to commemorate the alliance of the two countries during the war of independence. There is fine museum with ‘Maquettes’ or preliminary models of his works at Museum Bartholdi at Rue des Marchands.
It is the capital of the Haut Rhine departement of the Alsace region and just a few kms from the German border. Colmar boasts an Old Quarter with many remarkably intact old timber framed houses and narrow streets. In a 13th Century former Dominican Convent, is the Museum d’Unterlinden with the 18th Century Isenheim Alter Piece by the artist Grunewald. A short distance from the museum is an old Dominican Church with a 15th Century painting.
For more tourist information and history, see Premier Pages (Wine Regions, Places of interest)