Bike ride Colmar – Artzenheim – Neuf-Brisach (44km)

My summary

An easy cycling itinerary

Why this name for the route? Because Colmar is the birthplace of the famous sculptor Bartholdi (creator of the Statue of Liberty), and Neuf-Brisach is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a masterpiece of Vauban.

This itinerary is an easy bike ride (it’s totally flat) of about 50km near Colmar. The walk takes you to the Alsace plain. On the website Alsace à vélo, the departure is proposed from Kunheim but I did it from Colmar. It doesn’t matter where you start from because it’s a loop 😉

Along the Colmar Canal

The beginning of the route, between Colmar and Artzenheim, is very pleasant because it runs along the Colmar canal, on the towpath. It’s peaceful and pleasant, with only other walkers and a few boats.

Note that there is a lovely little café/restaurant in Artzenheim, right on the canal: La Coccinelle. It’s been two times that I’ve passed by and it’s absolutely not time to eat but I regret it, it looks very nice! So, I give you the info anyway 😉

In the heart of the Alsace plain

Between Artzenheim and Neuf-Brisach, there’s a change of atmosphere: here, we’re in the heart of the Alsace plain, and the route takes in small roads bordered by cornfields and a few villages. There’s regularly a lovely view of the Vosges mountains in the distance.

Then there’s Neuf-Brisach, worth a stop for its impressive fortifications, even if it’s still a town I don’t adore, as it’s sorely lacking in life.

Back to Colmar

From Neuf-Brisach to Colmar, we pass again at the beginning on small roads then there are large portions on a rather busy departmental road: it is thus not very pleasant, except a small passage in the superb forest of Neuland. We enter then in Colmar and we pass by the city center, what is always very pleasant even if it will undoubtedly be necessary to put a little foot on the ground.