After leaving Ribeauvillé, we stopped in Colmar on our way home. I had not been to Strasbourg for a while, but its scenery seemed familiar: shops, canals, and restaurants.

On this particular day, 3 October, a bank holiday for the Germans, this French city across the Rhine, was teeming with tourists.

In spite of the expected flow of German tourists heading into town, three of the four antique shops listed on the web, were closed. We did not even bother looking for the fourth one.

Colmar is a pretty city for a day visit. For a relaxing weekend though, I would suggest staying one of the villages in the Vosges Mountains, about a 30-minute drive further into the country.

Colmar

Half-timbered houses are lining the canals, and yes, it was still warm enough to have lunch outside.