First Cruise Stop: Breisach and Colmar
June 28, 2026
Breisach is on a steep basalt hill overlooking the Rhine, historically a key defensive fortification and border crossing. We didn't tour the town; instead, we had a morning tour that bused us into a side valley of the Höllental in the Black Forest. The Ravenna Gorge area features the Ravenna Bridge, trailheads into the Black Forest, and the historic Hofgut Sternen complex with craft, cuckoo clock, and glassblowing shops, as well as trails through the gorge.
Colmar features one of the best-preserved historic centers in the Alsace region, surviving both the French Revolution and major world wars relatively undamaged. The town is known for its narrow canals in the Little Venice district, pastel-colored half-timbered merchant homes, and landmark structures.
The photos below show some of what we saw in Ravenna, followed by half a dozen photos of Colmar.
Click on the photos below to enlarge.
Black Forest Bus Ride Scenery
This valley's name, Hoellental ('Hell Valley'), came from French troops who called its narrow, dark gorge Val d'enfer.
St Oswald Chapel
Dedicated to a 7th-century Anglo-Saxon king, this is the oldest still-standing parish church in the Upper Black Forest.
A Colmar Historic Street
House colors here once signaled the owner's trade: yellow for bakers, green for vegetable growers, and so on.
Au Vieur Piguon
Built in 1588, one of Colmar's oldest houses, its decorated facade makes it one of the city's most photographed buildings.
Ravenna Bridge
Built in 1926-27, this 225-meter viaduct's name likely comes from the French word 'ravin,' meaning gorge.
Cuckoo Clock Building
The Black Forest's cuckoo clock tradition dates to around 1750; many shops here are built in the whimsical shape of a giant clock.
Another Colmar Historic Street
Unlike much of Europe, Colmar's historic center was largely spared destruction in both world wars.
Koifhus Colmar
Completed in 1480, Colmar's oldest public building; its upper floor once hosted the Decapole's ten allied Alsatian cities.
Ravenna Gorge Trail Stream
This stream tumbles over two waterfalls, 16 and 6 meters high, past historic watermills still visible along the trail.
Unterlinden Museum Colmar
Housed in a 13th-century convent, this museum holds the Isenheim Altarpiece, painted to comfort hospital patients.
Saint-Martin Collegiate Church
Built 1235-1365, often mistakenly called a cathedral; storks nicknamed 'Martin and Martine' nest on its tower yearly.
Breisach Minster St Stephan
Nearly destroyed by 1945 bombing, this hilltop minster took 20 years to rebuild to its original 12th-century design.