St. Martin's Church (Eglise St-Martin)

Whether you opt for a guided or self-guided walking tour, visiting St Martin’s Church will surely be included on your Colmar sightseeing route. Peek inside to admire its Baroque-style organ, Alsatian-style ambulatory, and striking stained-glass windows. For those interested in the church’s historical art, the most notable work, the Isenmann Altarpiece, is now on display at the nearby Unterlinden Museum. Caspar Isenmann’s masterpiece is a series of 15th-century paintings depicting the Life of Jesus Christ.

• Roman-era remains have also been found at the church, hinting that an ancient church once stood on the same ground.

• There is no admission to visit the church, and worshippers are free to join the daily services.

• The church is accessible for wheelchairs and strollers.

St Martin’s Church sits on Place de la Cathedrale in the heart of Colmar’s largely pedestrianized Old Town, and it’s easy to reach on foot from most of the central sights. It’s about a 15-minute walk from Colmar’s central train station, or you can take one of several buses to Champs de Mars, from where it’s a 5-minute walk.

The church is open from Tuesday to Friday from 8:15am to 5:45pm, Saturday from 10am to 5:45pm, and Sunday from 10am to 7pm, and is open to visitors at any time except during services. Colmar’s Old Town is a popular stop for Alsace sightseeing tours, so expect big crowds in July–August and over the Christmas holidays. If you’re visiting during the annual Christmas markets, make sure to admire the church’s festive illuminations.

Whether taking a boat cruise along the flower-lined canals and candy-colored houses of La Petite Venise or wandering through the cobblestone lanes of the Old Town, Colmar’s is always photo-ready. Swing by the Covered Market to sample some traditional Alsatian delicacies, admire landmark buildings like the Old Customs House, the Pfister House, and the Adolph House, then check out the works of local sculptor Bartholdi at the Bartholdi Museum.