Town: Colmar

Town: Colmar

Looking at the climate of France as a whole, in order to give you a general notion of this town’s climate factors (sun,rain,heat, cold,wind, snow) we use three categories (most, mid, least) . So, the label above is telling you what this factor is (most, mid-range, least) considering the whole of France.  For a much more in-depth understanding of the weather, go to the site  weatherspark.com.  Be sure to use the feature they offer to compare towns.  

Looking at the climate of France as a whole, in order to give you a general notion of this town’s climate factors (sun,rain,heat, cold,wind, snow) we use three categories (most, mid, least) . So, the label above is telling you what this factor is (most, mid-range, least) considering the whole of France.  For a much more in-depth understanding of the weather, go to the site  weatherspark.com.  Be sure to use the feature they offer to compare towns.  

Looking at the climate of France as a whole, in order to give you a general notion of this town’s climate factors (sun,rain,heat, cold,wind, snow) we use three categories (most, mid, least) . So, the label above is telling you what this factor is (most, mid-range, least) considering the whole of France.  For a much more in-depth understanding of the weather, go to the site  weatherspark.com.  Be sure to use the feature they offer to compare towns.  

Looking at the climate of France as a whole, in order to give you a general notion of this town’s climate factors (sun,rain,heat, cold,wind, snow) we use three categories (most, mid, least) . So, the label above is telling you what this factor is (most, mid-range, least) considering the whole of France.  For a much more in-depth understanding of the weather, go to the site  weatherspark.com.  Be sure to use the feature they offer to compare towns.  

Looking at the climate of France as a whole, in order to give you a general notion of this town’s climate factors (sun,rain,heat, cold,wind, snow) we use three categories (most, mid, least) . So, the label above is telling you what this factor is,  considering the whole of France.  For a much more in-depth understanding of the weather, go to the site  weatherspark.com.  Be sure to use the feature they offer to compare towns.  

Looking at the climate of France as a whole, in order to give you a general notion of this town’s climate factors (sun,rain,heat, cold,wind, snow) we use three categories (most, mid, least) . So, the label above is telling you what this factor is (most, mid-range, least) considering the whole of France.  For a much more in-depth understanding of the weather, go to the site  weatherspark.com.  Be sure to use the feature they offer to compare towns.  

Looking at the climate of France as a whole, in order to give you a general notion of this town’s climate factors (sun,rain,heat, cold,wind, snow) we use three categories (most, mid, least) . So, the label above is telling you what this factor is (most, mid-range, least) considering the whole of France.  For a much more in-depth understanding of the weather, go to the site  weatherspark.com.  Be sure to use the feature they offer to compare towns.  

 

Rating is 1 – 4 (1 being most friendly)

  1. Known to be a favorite for internationals and/or Anglophones; English heard frequently
  2. Substantial international community; hearing English is not unusual
  3. Some expats, or other international populations, occasionally you might hear English spoken
  4. Not especially international; English rarely heard spoken”

 AVF stands for Accueils des Villes Françaises (roughly translated ‘Home of French Cities’ From their website: The national network of Accueils des Villes Françaises “offers new residents and anyone looking for social connections friendly activities that allow them to discover their new environment and make new friends.” 

They are particularly helpful as you meet newcomers, both French and English-speaking.  Most branches provide a robust range of classes (including French) and activities, for an incredibly small annual membership fee  (35 Euro?)    Here’s their national website, which will connect you to the branch in the town you are looking at https://avf.asso.fr/

 This category differs with each town.  One town might have a large international industry (Bordeaux: aerospace) or govermental HQ (Strasbourg: EU) while others are simply perennial favorites for internationals (like Nice, or any nice spa town, like Jonzac or Bagnoles-de-l’Orne) 

 We feel that a large university is a marker of a town used to newcomers and at home with a range of cultures and ideas. 

A town that attracts retirees is more likely to be safe, affordable,temperate in climate, offer good health care options  and be welcoming

 We use three categories: least, mid, or most expensive.  For wonderful details and ability to compare costs of  different French towns, see villedereve.fr

Data from the site villedureve.fr.  Range from 0  to 100 with 100 the best

*More than 30 days, less than 90. Off-peak season, prices & features vetted for this kind of stay.

Small towns population: 15,00 – 7,500 Big towns population: 7,500 – 50,000  City: 50,000 – 250,000 Big City: 250,000 +

Small towns population: 15,00 – 7,500 Big towns population: 7,500 – 50,000  City: 50,000 – 250,000 Big City: 250,000 +

Extraordinarily pretty town, with many canals.  Architecture is half-timbered houses, a distinctly Alsatian touch.  The city’s beauty is all the more remarkable given its history as a fierce battle of WWII, in which 80% of the buildings were said to have been damaged.  “Petite Venise” (Little Venice) was hard hit.  Enormous efforts to rebuild historical treasures throughout the city were taken and it shows.

Not much to complain about, unless you are a purist and only like your French towns without a hint of ‘other-than-Frenchness’.  This part of France has distinct flavors of both Swiss and German — as does the whole of Alsace,  not surprising given its history of changing hands between France and Germany many times in history.  It’s lovely, it just doesn’t always feel purely  French in the more traditional notion.

Who recommends it?

Complete France: "If living in a medium-sized French town within an idyllic vineyard setting sounds appealing, then Colmar is the town for you...Perhaps the town’s greatest calling card is its climate. Sheltered by the neighboring Vosges Mountains, Colmar enjoys an extremely dry microclimate, and it is the second driest town in France with just 550mm of rainfall per year"

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