Pfister House (Maison Pfister)
11 Rue des Marchands, Colmar, Grand Est
With its candy-colored buildings and half-timbered townhouses, Colmar has no shortage of photo-worthy architecture, but the Pfister House (Maison Pfister) stands out from the crowd. Its traditional wooden balconies, two-story corner oriel, and octagonal tower have a medieval fairy-tale quality and are decorated with ornate murals.
The Pfister House makes a popular photo stop for visitors to Colmar, and most sightseeing routes and walking tours pass by the central landmark. It’s worth visiting with a guide to learn more about the unusual mix of architectural styles that make up its arresting façade and compare it with the rest of Old Town’s medieval architecture. Learn more about the building’s 16th-century origins, its 19th-century restoration, and the elaborate murals that depict biblical and secular scenes.
The Pfister House is one of Colmar’s most distinctive buildings and is often depicted on souvenir postcards, magnets, and keyrings.
Pfister House is not a museum and isn’t open to the public; however, you can admire the building's façade from the street.
Colmar’s cobbled lanes can make access tricky for wheelchairs and strollers, but the Pfister House viewing area is easily accessible.
The Pfister House sits on a corner between Rue des Marchands and Place de la Cathedrale in the center of Colmar’s largely pedestrianized Old Town. It’s easiest to reach the house on foot, and it’s about a 5-minute walk from the canals of La Petite Venise or a 15-minute walk from the central train station.
You can admire the exteriors of the Pfister House at any time, but note that it can get busy during peak summer and winter months (July–August and November–December). For a crowd-free photo, get there early before the day-trippers and tour groups arrive. If you’re visiting during Colmar’s atmospheric holiday season, you’ll also have the chance to admire the street’s festive decorations and illuminations.
Colmar’s remarkably preserved medieval architecture is the main draw for travelers, who admire the pretty pastel-hued houses and flower-lined canals that frame its Old Town. Along with the Pfister House, make sure that your walking tour includes La Petite Venise, the timber-fronted Adolph House, the Old Customs House with its colorfully tiled roof, and architect Albert Schmidt's three houses—the House of the St John’s Knights, the House of Heads, and the House of Arcades.
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