Three Countries Villages Day Trip from Colmar
- Duration8 hours
- Daily
- Group
- Pickup available
- Fair, honest prices
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Overview
On this small-group day trip from Colmar you cross two borders and visit three countries in one day. Leaving Colmar at 9:00 with an English-speaking driver-guide, in an air-conditioned people carrier shared by no more than seven guests, you pass the star-shaped fortress town of Neuf-Brisach, then spend time in Freiburg, the lively old university city at the gateway to the Black Forest, and in Basel, where the Rhine divides Switzerland's most historic old town. The day ends in Eguisheim, one of the prettiest villages in Alsace, before the drive back to Colmar. It suits curious travellers, couples, friends and families who want to see how French, German and Swiss towns compare, all in about eight hours.
Highlights
- Three countries in one day: France, Germany and Switzerland
- Pass the star-shaped fortress town of Neuf-Brisach, a UNESCO site
- Freiburg's red sandstone minster, market square and little water channels
- Basel's old town, red town hall and bridges over the Rhine
- Eguisheim, the circular Alsace village of flowers and storks
- Small group of up to 7 guests with an English-speaking driver-guide
- Pickup and drop-off at selected points in Colmar, including the station
Full Description
Neuf-Brisach, the star-shaped fortress town
Only 20 minutes east of Colmar, on the plain close to the Rhine, lies Neuf-Brisach, a fortified town built from scratch between the very end of the 17th century and the early 18th century. Seen from above it forms a perfect octagon of bastions and moats, with straight streets laid out on a grid around a vast central parade square. It was designed to guard the new border on the Rhine.
The town is part of a UNESCO World Heritage listing of French military fortifications, and it remains one of the best surviving examples of its kind in Europe. On this three countries tour you pass by and through the ramparts on the way to the German border, with your guide explaining how the walls were built and why Alsace was so fiercely contested for centuries.
Freiburg, Germany: minster and water channels
Freiburg im Breisgau, about 45 minutes from Colmar, is the sunny old university city at the edge of the Black Forest. Its centrepiece is the minster, a red sandstone Gothic church whose openwork tower, finished around 1330, rises above the market square. Around it, a morning market fills the square on weekdays and Saturdays, and the red façade of the historic merchants' hall glows across the cobbles.
Freiburg's most charming feature is the network of little water channels, the Bächle, that run alongside the pavements of the old town; local lore says that stepping into one means you will marry a local. A Freiburg day trip from Colmar is easy with a guide, and the city has plenty of cafés and eateries, including several halal options, for a lunch break.
Basel, Switzerland: the old town on the Rhine
Basel lies on the Rhine right where France, Germany and Switzerland meet, and the river divides the city into Grossbasel, the historic old town on the steep left bank, and Kleinbasel opposite. Its red sandstone minster with twin towers stands on a terrace above the water, and the Marktplatz is dominated by the bright red town hall, built in the early 16th century and painted with colourful murals.
From the Middle Bridge, on the site of one of the oldest crossings of the Rhine, you watch small ferries glide across the river pushed only by the current. Wandering the narrow lanes of Grossbasel, your guide points out what makes Basel different from other Swiss cities. Switzerland uses the Swiss franc, but cards are accepted almost everywhere.
Eguisheim, the final stop in Alsace
The day ends back in France in Eguisheim, a village just south of Colmar built in concentric circles around a castle and a central square with a Renaissance fountain. Its ring lanes are lined with brightly painted half-timbered houses, wooden balconies overflowing with flowers and quiet courtyards, and storks nest on several rooftops from spring to late summer.
Eguisheim is a member of the association of the most beautiful villages of France and was voted France's favourite village in a national poll in 2013. After the bigger cities of the day, its calm late-afternoon light makes a perfect finale, and three ruined medieval towers stand on the hill above. About 45 minutes here is enough to loop the village before the short drive back to Colmar.
Itinerary
- Pickup in ColmarYour driver-guide collects you at 9:00 from the selected point in Colmar, including Colmar railway station.
- Neuf-BrisachDrive past and through the star-shaped fortified town with commentary, then cross the Rhine into Germany; about 30 minutes.
- Freiburg im Breisgau, GermanyTime in the old town: the minster, the market square and the water channels, with a break for lunch at your own expense; about 2 hours.
- Basel, SwitzerlandDrive about 50 minutes to Basel and discover the old town, the red town hall and the Rhine bridges; about 1.5 to 2 hours.
- Eguisheim, FranceReturn to Alsace for the circular village, its castle square and stork nests; about 45 minutes.
- Return to ColmarShort drive back to your drop-off point in Colmar in the late afternoon, about 8 hours after departure.
What's included
- English-speaking driver-guide
- Air-conditioned people carrier, small group of up to 7 guests
- Pickup and drop-off at selected points in Colmar
- Time in Freiburg (Germany)
- Time in Basel old town (Switzerland)
- Visit of Eguisheim (Alsace)
- Bottled water
Not included
- Food and drinks
- Gratuities
Is this right for you?
Great for
- Families with children — a child price for ages 4–15
- Travellers without a car — hotel pickup is included
- Travellers who want a proven choice — rated 4.7/5 by past travellers
Think twice if
- You want a private tour — this one is shared with other travellers
Not suitable for
- Wheelchair users
- People with mobility impairments
- Travellers without a passport or ID card valid for Schengen travel
Meeting point
We pick you up at 9:00 from selected points in Colmar, which you choose when booking; Colmar railway station is one of them. If your accommodation is far from a pickup point, message our team after booking and we will help. The tour ends at the same pickup points in Colmar in the late afternoon.
Important information
- Bring your passport or ID card: you cross into Germany and Switzerland.
- Travellers who need a visa for France need one valid for the Schengen area, which covers Germany and Switzerland.
- Food and drinks are not included; halal options are easy in Freiburg and Basel.
- Switzerland uses the Swiss franc; cards are widely accepted.
- Baby carriages, bicycles and electric wheelchairs cannot be carried in the vehicle.
- Party groups are not accepted on this tour.
- Wear comfortable shoes for cobbled old towns.
- Timings in each city can change with border traffic and weather.
Good to know
Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers to what travellers ask us most, before they book.
Is this a shared or a private tour?
It is a shared small-group tour with up to 7 guests and one English-speaking driver-guide. This page offers only this small-group option.
How many people are in the group?
No more than 7 guests, travelling in an air-conditioned people carrier.
Is the price per person or per group?
The price is per person, with a child rate. The booking panel on this page shows the current price for your date.
Is pickup included?
Yes, from selected points in Colmar, including the railway station, with drop-off at the same points.
Do I need a passport?
Yes. Bring your passport or national ID card. Germany and Switzerland are in the Schengen area, so a Schengen visa valid for France also covers them; there are usually no systematic border checks, but random controls happen.
What is included?
An English-speaking driver-guide, transport in an air-conditioned people carrier, pickup and drop-off in Colmar, time in Freiburg and Basel, the visit of Eguisheim and bottled water. Food, drinks and gratuities are not included.
How long is the tour?
About 8 hours, from 9:00 until the late afternoon.
Is it suitable for children or reduced mobility?
Children are welcome and pay a child rate, but baby carriages cannot be carried. The old towns are cobbled, so the tour is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments.
Can I find halal food?
Yes, Freiburg and Basel both have halal eateries, so lunch is easy. Options in Eguisheim are very limited.
What is the best season for this trip?
Spring to autumn is ideal for strolling the old towns. In December, the Christmas markets of Freiburg, Basel and Alsace are magical but busy.
How do I book and confirm?
Choose your date in the booking panel and complete the booking. Our team confirms on WhatsApp within minutes and sends the pickup details.
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