Petite Venise, Colmar
Petite Venise
Half-timbered houses in bright colors and flower-filled balconies line the Lauch River, with flat-bottomed boats gliding past. It's Alsace's most fairy-tale-like neighborhood.
Petite Venise lies in the southeast of Colmar's old town. The Lauch River winds through what was once the neighborhood of market gardeners and fishermen. On both banks stand half-timbered houses in red, yellow, blue, and green, with balconies spilling over with geraniums. The most classic photo spots are the bridges on Boulevard Saint-Pierre and Rue de Turenne, where you can capture the canal, the houses, and the little boats all in one frame. The neighboring Quai de la Poissonnerie (Fishmongers' Quay) and the Krutenau district to the north are equally photogenic. From about March to November, flat-bottomed boats take you along the canal for 25 to 30 minutes at roughly 8 euros per person. Fans often cite this area as one of the inspirations for Howl's Moving Castle. Studio Ghibli's team is said to have toured Alsace, and Colmar and Riquewihr are believed to have offered inspiration. The covered market (Marché Couvert) nearby is good for cheese, kugelhopf, and deli items. Early morning or evening brings fewer crowds and better light. During the December Christmas market, the canal is lit up and crowds are very heavy. Getting there: it's about a 20-minute walk from Colmar station, and the old town is fully walkable.
Opening hours
Open all day; boat cruises Mar–Nov
Nearby sights
- Koïfhus (Ancienne Douane), Colmar
- Musée Bartholdi
- Maison Pfister, Colmar
- St. Martin's Church, Colmar
- Maison des Têtes, Colmar
- Colmar Old Town & Unterlinden Museum
- Eguisheim
- Turckheim