St Matthew’s Church

Introducing St Matthew’s Church. Construction started back in the late 13th century, with plans to make it the city’s Franciscan house of worship. After the Protestant Reformation, it was used for their worship for almost two centuries, before it was given back to the Catholics in 1715 by order of the King of France. It wasn’t until 1937 that it became a Protestant church once again. All that remains of the former Franciscan convent is the chapel. The pipe organs were built in 1731 by the Silbermanns, a prominent family of organ builders from Strasbourg, who designed a number of their organs here in Alsace. St Matthew’s is famous for its excellent acoustics. Every year, it hosts several performances as part of Colmar’s International Music Festival. First held in 1979, this classical music festival brings the town to life for two weeks every summer. It’s a great opportunity to discover the church! We’ll continue along Grand’Rue to your right. You should know, however, that if you go in the opposite direction, you’ll get to the Joan of Arc Square and then to Vauban Street, a charming shopping street. You should definitely check it out during your stay and browse the numerous stores there. While you’re there, you can also visit the Musée du Jouet, the Toy Museum, home to a collection of thousands of toys from the 19th and 20th centuries. It’s a real trip down memory lane! Wait, there’s more! Don’t miss the stunning Renaissance façade of the building at number 7, the so-called the Ploughmen’s Stove. It dates back to 1625, and was once home to the farmers’ guild, which was responsible, among other things, for reporting rural crimes. Today, it’s listed as a Historical Monument. Be sure to take a stroll down this shopping street full of cultural and historical attractions!