Ancienne Douane (Old Custom House), Colmar (must see)
At the crossroads of Colmar鈥檚 medieval lifelines鈥擧igh Street and Merchants' Street鈥攕tands the Koifhus, or Old Custom House, a building that鈥檚 been wearing multiple hats for over five centuries. First envisioned in 1433 but not wrapped up until 1480, it didn鈥檛 stay still for long. Sixteenth-century annexes bulked it up, but by the 1800s, those additions were sagging, and the wrecking crew was on standby. Instead, a late-19th-century facelift saved it, complete with a turret and gleaming glazed tiles, and in 2002 its sandstone balustrade got a fresh polish.
Originally, the Koifhus was all business鈥攓uite literally. It doubled as a warehouse and tax checkpoint for goods coming in and out of town, and in 1534, the Federation of the Ten Imperial Cities of Alsace convened here. Then the French Revolution blew through, sweeping away its commercial privileges. By 1840, the serious business of customs had been replaced by the lighter business of theatre. Eight years later, it hosted the first office of the discount bank. Through the decades, it鈥檚 served as the Chamber of Commerce and even a boys鈥� school, before settling into its modern role as an event venue.
It also has a claim to fame on the personal side of history: Jean Rapp, the Napoleonic general known for his bravery and sense of honor, was born here while his father worked as the building鈥檚 janitor. A plaque on the Koifhus marks the connection, and if you head to Field of Mars Park, you鈥檒l find Bartholdi鈥檚 statue of Rapp standing at attention.
Today, the Koifhus is more than a picturesque backdrop鈥攊t鈥檚 a layered piece of Colmar鈥檚 story, where politics, commerce, and community life have all passed under its timber and tile. The building has kept itself relevant for over 500 years, which is no small feat in a city that knows a thing or two about aging gracefully.
Originally, the Koifhus was all business鈥攓uite literally. It doubled as a warehouse and tax checkpoint for goods coming in and out of town, and in 1534, the Federation of the Ten Imperial Cities of Alsace convened here. Then the French Revolution blew through, sweeping away its commercial privileges. By 1840, the serious business of customs had been replaced by the lighter business of theatre. Eight years later, it hosted the first office of the discount bank. Through the decades, it鈥檚 served as the Chamber of Commerce and even a boys鈥� school, before settling into its modern role as an event venue.
It also has a claim to fame on the personal side of history: Jean Rapp, the Napoleonic general known for his bravery and sense of honor, was born here while his father worked as the building鈥檚 janitor. A plaque on the Koifhus marks the connection, and if you head to Field of Mars Park, you鈥檒l find Bartholdi鈥檚 statue of Rapp standing at attention.
Today, the Koifhus is more than a picturesque backdrop鈥攊t鈥檚 a layered piece of Colmar鈥檚 story, where politics, commerce, and community life have all passed under its timber and tile. The building has kept itself relevant for over 500 years, which is no small feat in a city that knows a thing or two about aging gracefully.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Colmar. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "911爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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Ancienne Douane (Old Custom House) on Map
Sight Name: Ancienne Douane (Old Custom House)
Sight Location: Colmar, France (See walking tours in Colmar)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Colmar, France (See walking tours in Colmar)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Colmar, France
Create Your Own Walk in Colmar
Creating your own self-guided walk in Colmar is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Colmar Introduction Walking Tour
Charlemagne was well acquainted with Colmar in his wars with the Saxons from 772 to 804 AD. Carolingian emperor Charles the Fat held an assembly there in 884. It was a free imperial city under Emperor Frederick II in 1226. Captured and held by Sweden in 1632, it was conquered at last by Louis XIV of France in 1673.
In 1871 it was annexed by the German Empire as a result of the Franco-Prussian... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.5 Km or 0.9 Miles
In 1871 it was annexed by the German Empire as a result of the Franco-Prussian... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.5 Km or 0.9 Miles
Bartholdi's Statues in Colmar
Auguste Bartholdi is one of the most famous artists from Colmar. His works, such as the Lion of Belfort in Belfort, France, and the Statue of Liberty in New York Harbor, are known around the world. Colmar is decorated with open-air pieces sculpted by the artist.
Many of Bartholdi's statues are found in fountains that occupy spaces in city squares or on significant street corners. Some of... view more
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 5.9 Km or 3.7 Miles
Many of Bartholdi's statues are found in fountains that occupy spaces in city squares or on significant street corners. Some of... view more
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 5.9 Km or 3.7 Miles