The Fishmongers' quarter, known in French as the Poissonnerie, is the short stretch of quay along the Lauch river where Colmar's fishermen once sold their catch. Its row of brightly painted half-timbered houses belonged to members of the fishermen's guild, and today it is one of the most photographed corners of the old town, at the northern end of Little Venice.
The Fishmongers' quarter at a glance
- Where: the Quai de la Poissonnerie and Rue de la Poissonnerie, along the Lauch between the Rue des Tanneurs and the covered market.
- Built: the houses date from the late Middle Ages and early modern period; most of the old town came through the wars of the 19th and 20th centuries intact.
- What it is today: a residential and café street on the water, part of the protected historic centre and the gateway to Little Venice.
- Time needed: 15–30 minutes for a slow walk along the quay and over the bridges.
Fish, guilds and flat-bottomed boats
In medieval Colmar, trades lived and worked in their own districts, and the waterways of the Lauch shaped three of them: the butchers, the tanners and the fishmongers. Fishermen sold the fish caught in the town's rivers and canals here on the quay, and the colourful houses facing the water belonged to members of their guild, one of the powerful trade corporations of the town. Flat-bottomed boats moved along the Lauch carrying fish, hides and vegetables from the market gardens of the Krutenau further south.
In 1865 the town built a covered market of brick, sandstone and cast iron on the opposite bank, designed by Louis-Michel Boltz, so that boats could unload produce straight into the hall. The market was restored and reopened as a food hall in 2010. Because Colmar was largely spared by the wars of 1870, 1914–1918 and 1939–1945, the quarter kept its old streetscape, and the canal district to the south later became known as Little Venice.
What to look for
- The row of narrow half-timbered houses painted in strong colours, each with a different shape of beams and window boxes.
- The small bridge over the Rue des Tanneurs that leads onto the quay, a good spot to see the houses reflected in the water.
- The tall tanners' houses on the Rue des Tanneurs nearby, with open attic floors once used to dry animal hides.
- The covered market across the water, with its brick walls and cast-iron frame.
- The flat-bottomed boats that still glide past, a reminder of how goods once travelled through this district.
Fish on a fountain
The fish trade left its mark beyond the quay. On the Place des Six-Montagnes-Noires, a few minutes south, the stone base of Bartholdi's Roesselmann Fountain is decorated with fish. The statue on top honours a 13th-century provost of Colmar, and it is worth the short detour.
Tips for your visit
- Come early in the morning for soft light and empty quays; by late morning the bridges are crowded with visitors taking photos.
- For the classic view, stand on the bridge at the Rue des Tanneurs and look along the row of houses.
- Combine the quay with lunch or a snack in the covered market across the water.
- Respect the residents: the houses are private homes, so keep doorways and steps free.
Nearby
- Little Venice: the canal district continuing south along the Lauch, with boat trips from the Saint-Pierre bridge.
- Covered market: the 1865 market hall across the canal, with local food stalls.
- Roesselmann Fountain: Bartholdi's statue of Colmar's first hero, a few minutes' walk south.
- Koïfhus: the old customs house of 1480 with its glazed tile roof, a short walk north.
See Colmar with World City Trail
Our Colmar scavenger hunt turns the old town into a game you play on your phone. The route links 10 stops and takes around 2 hours, with about 33 minutes of walking. The Fishmongers' quarter is one of the stops, along with Little Venice, the Roesselmann Fountain and the Ancienne Douane. You can play in English, German, French, Italian, Spanish or Dutch.
If you prefer a different format, there is also a self-guided walking tour and an outdoor escape game in Colmar.
Play the Colmar scavenger hunt →
Take the self-guided walking tour of Colmar →
Play the outdoor escape game in Colmar →
Facts checked in October 2026.