Colmar, France

Did I mention we don't have an oven? Well, we have one, but it only heats to about 150 degrees. So I've had to get creative with dinner. The other day I threw some chili in the crockpot, and of course I whipped up some cornbread to go with it, forgetting about the state of our oven. To the rescue came the toaster oven, and a glass tupperware dish. It was totally worth baking four different mini loafs one at a time, and washing the tupperware in between bakings. 

In an effort to stay away from meals requiring the oven, I began sorting through every single one of my recipes, including the ones I made in Germany. And I found a 3x5 recipe card, smeared with tomato juice, for ratatouille. The dish that makes you feel so good about yourself not only because it's cool to cook French food, but also because you're being good and eating lots of veggies. This is the recipe I follow. 

Of course, eating ratatouille reminded me of France, and made me want to share one of my favorite French towns with you. Welcome to Colmar.

The first time we visited this delightful city, we were perplexed to see a miniature replica of the Statue of Liberty gracing the park. It made more sense when we learned that Auguste Bartholdi, the sculptor of the original gift given to the US from France, was born in Colmar. I guess the town found that they liked Lady Liberty so much, they wanted one of their own. 

Now, if your goal is to climb to the top of the statue, and stand inside her eye, I suggest you head to New York. But, if you're content with a smaller version, and would enjoy eating a crepe while strolling down cobblestone streets, admiring half-timbered Alsatian homes, I'd head to France. Specifically, to the Alsace region, far in the eastern side of the country, only minutes from Germany. Colmar is five hours east of Paris, three hours south of Frankfurt, and it took us only forty-five minutes to drive there from Kandern, Germany.

Many highway signs in France have pictures of the historic sites available off the exit, hoping to entice you off the highway with their charm. 

Sunlight on Saint Martin Church 

Saint Martin's church, built somewhere between 1235 and 1365. Evidently, they weren't concerned with exact dates.

Doesn't it make you want to sauté some ratatouille?

If munching on a carrot isn't your thing, hundreds of soft pretzels are for sale at the covered market in the old Fishmonger's district.

You may even get to see some authentically dressed Alsatian dancers.

"Little Venice", is the name given to every city neighborhood in Europe that has a river running through it, because everyone loves Venice and they believe the name will lure in the tourists.  Colmar thought this was a good idea, and followed suit. 

Insider tip: Free bathrooms down the stairs on the northeast corner of the Champ de Mars--complete with pink toilet paper!

By the end of the day, you'll likely collapse from all the fun, and the park at the Champ de Mars is the perfect place for a nap/picnic. 

On your way out, don't forget to drive by Bartholdi and give a salute to Lady Liberty, who's perched on his shoulder. Go ahead and thank him, not only for giving America the larger version of the statue, but also for giving us the best recipe for sautéed vegetables known to man: ratatouille.