Covered market of Colmar – What to taste and bring back?
Foodies, take note—you’re sure to love Colmar’s covered market! It’s a permanent market, open Tuesday through Sunday, located in the heart of Colmar’s old town. Even if you don’t plan to buy anything, I highly recommend stopping by during your visit to Colmar because it’s a wonderful place.
The essentials at a glance
- 📍 Location: the Petite Venise neighborhood, right in the heart of Colmar’s Old Town.
- ⏳ Recommended duration: 30 to 45 minutes for a culinary stroll.
- 👥 Audience: families, couples, food lovers.
- 💶 Budget: Admission is free, but be sure to budget for any purchases or a meal on site.
- 🕗 Hours: Tuesday through Sunday; closed on Mondays.
My Review of the Colmar Covered Market
I liked
- Very beautiful place
- Quality of the products offered
- Market open from Tuesday to Sunday
- Possibility to have a quick lunch
I liked less
- It’s not cheap!
A market hall built on the banks of the Lauch: the history of the Marché Couvert
The Covered Market of Colmar is a superb building located in the heart of the city center, in the district of Petite Venise. It was built in the 19th century by the architect Louis-Michel Boltz on the banks of the Lauch (the river running through Colmar), to allow merchants to bring their goods by boat.
Since the 1950s, the barque has been out of use (if you’d like to see the famous flat-bottomed barques of the market gardeners, you can always take a boat trip– it’s great fun!), but the building has retained its original purpose. For a time, the building also housed a parking lot, but fortunately this is no longer the case!
📍 Local tip: For the best view of the building, head to the little bridge right behind it, on the banks of the Lauch—the covered market is beautifully reflected in the water when the weather is nice.
The Architecture of the Colmar Covered Market
The covered market building is constructed of brick and ashlar and has a metal frame with cast iron columns. To the southwest of the market, you can discover the statue of the little winegrower by Auguste Bartholdi, installed in 1869. It is now a copy and the original work is in the Bartholdi Museum since 1986.
The building is beautiful, especially in good weather when it is reflected in the Lauch. Inside, the place is full of charm and is a perfect setting for the market stalls! It has a pleasant and lively atmosphere.
📍 Local tip: Look for Auguste Bartholdi’s “Little Winemaker” fountain in the southwest corner of the building—a subtle nod that many visitors miss.
Also on the blog
What should you try and buy at the Colmar Indoor Market?
There are many shops offering a wide range of local products and very good quality: organic breads, pastries, kougelhopf, foie gras, cheeses, organic vegetables, pretzels and sandwiches… among others! You can easily find what you need to bring back some gourmet souvenirs from Alsace .
It’s a good place to stop and do some shopping at the butcher, the poultry shop, the cheese shop, the baker, the fishmonger, the delicatessen, or even have a quick lunch, since the covered market is home to a few small restaurants, cafés and bistros (very simple but quite good).
Here are some addresses that I particularly like:
- L’Enfariné: one of my favorite bakeries in Alsace!
- Fromagerie Saint-Nicolas: one of the most famous cheese dairies in Alsace!
- La Ferme Schmitt: a poulterer also offering excellent foie gras
- Lemon and Basil: for a lunch or snack break
- Cuit Lu Cru: a caterer and restaurant of organic, seasonal, vegan and almost 100% gluten-free cuisine
📍 Local tip: It’s best to come on Thursday, when the market expands to include additional outdoor stalls.
Don’t forget to visit the florist, the coffee roaster, the wine seller or the spice shop for an olfactory and gustatory journey in Alsace and around the world. Every first Friday of the month, the covered market of Colmar welcomes concerts in the framework of Scène Off.
Practical information
Schedules
The covered market is open Tuesday through Sunday and closed on Mondays: Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Here you will find the current opening hours for the Colmar covered market.
Access
By car
The address is: 13 rue des Ecoles 68000 Colmar. You can find the different parking lots here.
By public transport
The city center is easily accessible from the Colmar train station. You can search for your route on Fluo.
By bike
The covered market is very easy to reach by bike: it’s located right in the heart of the historic city center, just a few minutes’ ride from anywhere in Colmar.
Hungry?
If you are hungry, you can take a break in one of the small restaurants of the market, which are very simple but good. Many people working in the area come here for their lunch break!
Frequently Asked Questions About the Colmar Covered Market
What are the hours of the Colmar Covered Market?
The Colmar Covered Market is open Tuesday through Sunday and closed on Mondays. Specifically: Tuesday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where is the Colmar Covered Market located?
The Colmar Covered Market is located at 13 Rue des Écoles, in the historic Petite Venise neighborhood, right in the heart of the old town.
Is there an admission fee to the Colmar Covered Market?
No, visiting the Colmar Covered Market is completely free. You only pay for the items you purchase from the vendors.
Can you have lunch at the Colmar Covered Market?
Yes, there are several small, simple restaurants where you can have lunch, such as Citron et Basilic for quiches and tartes flambées, or Cuit Lu Cru for organic and plant-based cuisine.
Where can I park to visit the Colmar Covered Market?
The closest parking lots are the Turenne parking lot, the 6 Montagnes Noires parking lot, and the Montagne Verte parking lot, all about a 5-minute walk from the covered market.