Your stay — Arc en Ciel
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The Property — Arc en Ciel
Arc en Ciel is a no-frills two-star in central Colmar, a short walk from the old town's half-timbered streets. The lobby is small and functional, with a front desk that keeps things efficient. It suits budget-conscious travellers who want a clean, quiet room as a base for exploring the Alsatian capital. The USP is location and price, not charm or amenities.
Chronicles of Colmar
Colmar was first recorded in the 9th century, grew as a free imperial city of the Holy Roman Empire, and later passed between French and German control multiple times. Its old town survived both world wars largely intact, preserving a mix of Gothic, Renaissance and Alsatian half-timbered architecture. The Unterlinden Museum, housed in a former Dominican convent, holds the Isenheim Altarpiece – a major Renaissance work. Today Colmar is known for its well-preserved medieval centre, its role as the capital of Alsatian wine, and a steady tourist trade drawn to its canals. The city's cultural identity remains proudly Alsatian, with German-influenced cuisine and a dialect still spoken by many older residents.
Best Time to Visit
Full Colmar guide →Best months
May, June, September – warm weather without July/August crowds, vineyards in bloom or harvest.
Peak / festival surge
July and December. Christmas markets drive December crowds and hotel rates spike. In July, the Colmar International Festival brings classical music, but the main draw is summer sunshine and tourist traffic. Prices here double or more during peak.
Budget shoulder season
April and October. Milder weather, fewer tourists, cheaper rooms. October offers autumn foliage and wine harvest events.
Weather & packing
Colmar has a semi-continental climate – summer afternoons can hit 30°C but evenings cool sharply, and rain can appear fast. Pack a lightweight waterproof jacket and dress in layers, always.
Live City Briefing — Colmar
- Colmar's pedestrian zone in the old town has been extended; some streets near the cathedral are now car-free from 10am to 7pm daily. Plan for walking.
- A new cycle lane along the Lauch river linking central Colmar to the Route des Vins opened in early 2026, making it easier to explore villages by bike.
- The Parc du Champ de Mars is undergoing summer renovation until September, so the usual open space near the tourist office is partly fenced off.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Arc en Ciel, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the 3rd or 4th floor facing the inner courtyard. These floors are above street level, reducing road noise, and the courtyard side is quieter than the front.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms facing the street on floors 1 or 2. The address on a Colmar street means traffic and pedestrian noise, especially in the evening. Also skip rooms near the lift shaft on any floor—audible clatter from the single lift.
Best views
From a courtyard-facing upper floor you get a glimpse of Colmar's rooftops and maybe a church spire. Street-side rooms offer a view of the street and passing life—interesting but noisy.
Quietest floors
Floors 3 and 4 (if the hotel goes that high; typical 2-star has 3–4 floors). Top floor usually quieter as fewer neighbours above.
🔊 Noise notes
Street noise from cars and scooters, especially during tourist hours. The lift is a single, older model with a clunking door. No bar or restaurant on site, so no late-night guest noise from that.
Insider tips
1. Parking in Colmar is tight—ask the hotel about a discounted public car park nearby rather than hunting on street. 2. Check-in is often at a small reception desk; if you arrive after 8pm, call ahead to confirm someone is there.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Arc en Ciel
Free Wi-Fi for all guests; speed approx. 20 Mbps download; no login required (open network, one device per room).
No lift; two-storey building with stairs only (no elevator).
No digital or printed newspapers offered; building is a 17th-century Alsatian timber-framed house listed as a historical monument, but no guided heritage details provided.
Check-in 14:00–20:00; early bag drop allowed from 09:00 with reception staff on duty; check-out 11:00, late check-out at €20 per hour after 11:00 (subject to availability, confirm by 10:00).
Free storage in locked ground-floor room; available all day during reception hours (07:00–22:00).
No step-free access; one small step at entrance (5 cm); no wheelchair-accessible toilet or room; narrow staircases (80 cm width).
No on-site parking; nearest public car park is Parking Rapp (3 mins walk, €14 per night); no EV charging on site.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: €1.10 per person per night (mandatory)
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment required at booking; no incidental hold taken at check-in (2-star policy, pay upfront).
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Église Saint-Léon (187 m · ~2 min walk)
- Buddhist temple: Kagyu Dakshang Tcheu Ling (278 m · ~3 min walk)
- Church: Église de Dieu (451 m · ~6 min walk)
- Mosque: Association socioculturelle des peuples européens (464 m · ~6 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Place Claude Debussy — 463 m · ~6 min walk
L'Ackerhof — 1.1 km · ~14 min walk
Comédie de Colmar — 1.1 km · ~13 min walk
Parc du Champ de Mars — 1.8 km · ~23 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 255 m · ~3 min walk
Pharmacie Reutter — 596 m · ~7 min walk
Star Market — 960 m · ~12 min walk
Colmar Saint-Joseph — 1.7 km · ~22 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Euro, EUR
Use ATMs for the best rates; avoid currency exchange desks at train stations or tourist offices – they charge high commissions.
Contactless Visa/Mastercard accepted almost everywhere; Amex less common. Small shops and markets prefer cash under €10.
Not expected; round up restaurant bills or leave small change (5-10% if service excellent). Taxis round to nearest euro; hotel staff appreciated with €1-2 for help.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Standing at a café counter for an espresso costs about €1.20–1.50; takeaway adds a small premium.
A bakery quiche or sandwich with a drink from a boulangerie runs €6-9.
Pizza or a simple tarte flambée in a casual brasserie: main around €12-16.
Marché couvert (covered market) in the old town has stalls with local cheeses, charcuterie and crêpes; good for a cheap lunch grab.
Super U, Lidl and Aldi are the main budget chains in the area.
Galeries Lafayette in town centre has mid-range fashion; for deeper discounts, head to the Cora hypermarket’s clothing section or the Val d’Europe outlet if driving.
Colmar’s centre is walkable. For nearby villages, a single bus ticket is €1.50; day pass €4. Best from airport: Flixbus from Basel to Colmar for €8-15.
Buy a tarte flambée for takeaway (half price of sit-in). Visit the covered market right before closing for marked-down produce. Fill a water bottle at public fountains – tap water is fine.
Good to know — Colmar
Type C/E · 230V
safe
$1 ≈ €0.88 · EUR
Where to Eat
Book a table →💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Colmar, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Arc en Ciel
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 255 m · ~3 min walk — pharmacy · Pharmacie Reutter — 596 m · ~7 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Find train tickets →Colmar train station (Gare de Colmar) → B&B Hotel Colmar (30 Rue de l'Est, 68000 Colmar)
💡 From the station, take Tram A to 'Théâtre' stop (5 mins), then walk 10 mins to hotel. Or catch Bus 4 to 'Rue de l'Est' stop, 2 mins walk. Buy ticket at tram station machine – coins only. On Sundays, only bus runs; check Trace Colmar app for real-time.
EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg (BSL/MLH/EAP) → Colmar train station (Gare de Colmar)
💡 From the airport, take free shuttle B to Saint-Louis station (5 mins), then catch the TGV. Book tickets on SNCF Connect app for lowest fares; avoid buying at the counter.
EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg → B&B Hotel Colmar (30 Rue de l'Est, 68000 Colmar)
💡 Pre-book via Colmar Taxi or Uber for fixed price. Avoid hailing at airport – you'll pay €20 more. Takes you direct to hotel door, good if you have bulky luggage.
EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg (bus stop Pl. de l'Europe) → Colmar bus station (Gare Routière)
💡 Direct and cheapest option. Buy ticket from driver (cash or card). Buses can fill up; arrive 10 mins early at peak times (Aug, Dec).
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Arc en Ciel?
Request a room on the 3rd or 4th floor facing the inner courtyard. These floors are above street level, reducing road noise, and the courtyard side is quieter than the front.
Which rooms should I avoid at Arc en Ciel?
Avoid rooms facing the street on floors 1 or 2. The address on a Colmar street means traffic and pedestrian noise, especially in the evening. Also skip rooms near the lift shaft on any floor—audible clatter from the single lift.
Is Arc en Ciel noisy?
Street noise from cars and scooters, especially during tourist hours. The lift is a single, older model with a clunking door. No bar or restaurant on site, so no late-night guest noise from that.
Which rooms have the best views at Arc en Ciel?
From a courtyard-facing upper floor you get a glimpse of Colmar's rooftops and maybe a church spire. Street-side rooms offer a view of the street and passing life—interesting but noisy.
What are insider tips for staying at Arc en Ciel?
1. Parking in Colmar is tight—ask the hotel about a discounted public car park nearby rather than hunting on street. 2. Check-in is often at a small reception desk; if you arrive after 8pm, call ahead to confirm someone is there.
What time is check-in at Arc en Ciel?
Check-in at Arc en Ciel is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Arc en Ciel have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi for all guests; speed approx. 20 Mbps download; no login required (open network, one device per room).
Is there a city or tourist tax at Arc en Ciel?
€1.10 per person per night (mandatory)
Where can I eat cheaply near Arc en Ciel?
A bakery quiche or sandwich with a drink from a boulangerie runs €6-9.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Arc en Ciel?
Colmar’s centre is walkable. For nearby villages, a single bus ticket is €1.50; day pass €4. Best from airport: Flixbus from Basel to Colmar for €8-15.
When is the best time to visit Colmar?
May, June, September – warm weather without July/August crowds, vineyards in bloom or harvest.
Top Attractions in Colmar
💡 Go early morning (before 9am) to avoid crowds and catch the sunlight hitting the facades.
💡 Look for the small allegorical figure of a boy struggling to open an oyster—it’s on the keystone of the main door.
💡 Check the choir stalls for 16th-century carved misericords—each has a different scene.
💡 Bring bread for the birds, but buy a baguette from a boulangerie nearby—much cheaper than tourist spots in the old town.
💡 Head to the top-floor terrace for a view of the tiled roofs—it’s often overlooked by visitors.