Colmar (French pronunciation: [kɔlmaʁ]; Alsatian:
Colmer [ˈkolməʁ]; German:
Colmar or
Kolmar) is a city and commune in the Haut-Rhin department and
Alsace 
region of north-eastern France. The third-largest commune in Alsace (after Strasbourg and Mulhouse), it is the seat of the prefecture of the Haut-Rhin department and of the subprefecture of the Colmar-Ribeauvillé arrondissement.
Colmar was first mentioned in the 9th century and grew into an important medieval trading town within the Holy Roman Empire. In the 17th century it was annexed by France under Louis XIV, though it retained a distinct Germanic character due to its location and culture. The city shifted between French and German control multiple times, before being permanently restored to France in 1945.
The city is known for its well-preserved old town, numerous architectural landmarks, its blend of French and German heritage and its museums, among which is the Unterlinden Museum, which houses the Isenheim Altarpiece.