Tuesday 3rd October 2023

Colmar

Another day of being a tourist started with a late breakfast and a short walk down a now well beaten track into town, to arrive when the major attractions opened.

After yesterday it was inevitable to start at the Bartholdi Museum. We must have been looking a bit old and haggard because it was the first time we were offered an aged concession ticket – a whole Euro off the price of entry.

The museum rambled over three floors with an array of his paintings and sculptures done in various materials. The premier sculpture was the miniature model of the Statue of Liberty and also a 5 metre version of a horse in battle which had a 30 metre equivalent elsewhere in the country. A couple of pieces from the famous continents fountain decommissioned by Germans were also there.

Another notable piece was the model , life size , for the ear of the Statue of Liberty. There was also a picture of the practice version they assembled in Paris, for which they charged people 50 pence to scale the scaffolding to help finance the project

The museum had also been home to Bartholdi at some stage and displays of his study, music room and studio were represented. There were so many examples of his work it was difficult deciding which ones to capture after sorting the great from the excellent. Interestingly it had a plate display attached to the ceiling.

We left understanding why he had been such an influence in French/USA relations.

Whilst this visit was a sensory delight the next one tested the taste buds. Having come from a long line of confectioners, with a penchant for making chocolate delights, it was a no brainier we visited the Museum of Chocolate.

Not only did it give a great history of how chocolate cultivation and production evolved over time, there were a couple of eat all you want tasting stations. We didn’t gorge ourselves, but suffice to say we didn’t need a big lunch.

Interestingly Ivory Coast is the world greatest producer of cacao beans which are the basis for chocolate production.

Some great works of art including cabaret costumes, Statue of Liberty and a life sized 1927 Bugatti all made from chocolate were on display.

The end of visit culminated with a gingerbread infused hot chocolate.

Followed this up with a visit to the Hanzi Museum. The artist nicknamed Hanzi is famous for taking the piss out of Germans before, during and after both World Wars. The Germans charged him with treason and incarcerated him as well as seriously wounding him in WW2 , which led to his ultimate demise.

He was also known for his rustic paintings of little children which feature on a raft of souvenirs.

Another walk through Little Venice where we picked up a few snacks and a new chapeau for Jane.

Headed home and did some chores before a quick siesta and then back into town, passed the still inoperative carousel , to buy a couple of presents for the tiny tots which will likely delight them and cause the parents some angst, before dinner in the Hansi restaurant.

One last walk home to get ready to farewell France for a while and head to Switzerland .