i 🏙️ Towns & cities
Boat Trip in Colmar
A flat-bottomed boat ride through “La Petite Venise”, gliding at water level past the flower-decked half-timbered houses of old Colmar.
Overview
In Colmar, the Lauch flows through La Petite Venise (Little Venice), south of the old town. A trip on the water reveals the district from an angle you don’t get on foot. The operator Sweet Narcisse runs flat-bottomed boats on a guided circuit of about 25 minutes. The boatman takes you between the half-timbered houses of La Petite Venise and along the Quai de la Poissonnerie, sharing a few anecdotes about the town along the way.
The trip also passes through the old market gardeners’ quarter, where greenery spills out of the gardens right down to the water’s edge, and the boat’s slow pace leaves time to admire the façades and bridges. Boats depart from below the Pont Saint-Pierre, next to the Caveau Saint-Pierre restaurant, reached via Rue de la Herse or Boulevard Saint-Pierre. According to the tourist office listing, the boats run all year round, with a departure roughly every quarter of an hour, except in January, February, November and December, when hours are reduced. In summer, the wait can be long around the middle of the day: mornings and late afternoons are quieter.
Where to do it
In Colmar (Haut-Rhin (68)), in Alsace. Best season: ☀️ Summer.
Good to know
A timeless interlude: “Little Venice” is best discovered at water level, in the hush of its canals.
Tips
Boats run all year round (reduced hours in winter). The landing stage is at the Pont Saint-Pierre, on the edge of La Petite Venise; in summer, come early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid queuing.
Location
Frequently asked questions
Where do the Colmar Little Venice boat trips leave from?
Sweet Narcisse boats depart from below the Pont Saint-Pierre, next to the Caveau Saint-Pierre restaurant, on the edge of La Petite Venise. It is reached via Rue de la Herse or Boulevard Saint-Pierre. The operator’s office is at 10 rue de la Herse.
How long is the boat trip in Colmar?
The guided circuit lasts about 25 minutes. It covers La Petite Venise and the Quai de la Poissonnerie, then passes through the old market gardeners’ quarter. Boats leave roughly every fifteen minutes during opening hours.
Do the Colmar boat trips run in winter?
According to the Colmar tourist office listing, the boats run all year round, with reduced hours in January, February, November and December. Outside the published schedule, the operator advises contacting them directly to check departures.
Do you need to book the Colmar boat trip?
Booking is recommended, by phone or email with the operator. In high season, the queue can exceed three-quarters of an hour between late morning and mid-afternoon, so go early in the morning or at the end of the day.
Information checked in October 2026. Opening hours, prices and conditions may change: check the official website before you travel.
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