French Market: Shops of the Colonnade
4.5(16K)google
3.7(879)yelp
DowntownLocal LifeshoppingfoodHistoric BuildingMust-See
Overview
Steeped in over two centuries of vibrant multicultural history, the French Market's Shops of the Colonnade in New Orleans, Louisiana, offers an intoxicatingly lively shopping and dining experience. This historic open-air market structure is packed with independent local merchants selling handmade Creole crafts, unique jazz memorabilia, regional clothing, and eclectic vintage treasures. Visitors can sample world-famous powdered beignets, fresh Gulf oysters, and spicy jambalaya while listening to live street jazz musicians echo through the historic stone arcades.
Practical Info
Suggested Duration2-3.5 hours
Best TimeHighly recommended on Saturday mornings (9:00 AM - 11:30 AM) during spring or autumn. As the oldest continuous open-air market in the United States, Saturday mornings bring out the peak setup for temporary flea market vendors and craft stalls. The weather is crisp, making it the perfect slot to sample freshly shucked Gulf oysters and hot crawfish étouffée.
Getting ThereLocated at the downriver edge of the French Quarter at 1008 N Peters Street. Driving is heavily discouraged. The premier public transit method is taking the Riverfront Streetcar directly to its final French Market Station; the historic red-brick arcades and green-roofed open colonnades sit directly in front of the platform.
Travel Tips
- The flea market zone is heavily targeted by pickpockets; never place cash, wallets, or smartphones in rear pockets or loose outer backpack slits.
- No free parking options exist nearby, and parking wardens ticket incessantly; utilize the paid multi-story parking structures on Decatur Street.
- Most open-air bazaar stalls accept small physical paper cash only; using $100 bills is heavily discouraged due to counterfeit change vulnerabilities.
Reviews
Positive
- As the oldest continuously operating open-air market in the US, the colonnade structure exudes historic charm, packed with unique Louisiana souvenirs, local crafts, and alligator novelties.
- The food court section is an absolute highlight; you can sample highly authentic alligator sausage, fresh oysters, Creole jambalaya, and local hot sauces at very reasonable prices.
- Boasting a prime location right next to the Mississippi River and Jackson Square, it's easily walkable, with spontaneous street jazz bands performing nearby to enrich the festive Southern vibe.
- The market features level accessible pathways, and its public restrooms have been recently upgraded with clear signage, making it a high-value, one-stop hub for local NOLA gifts.
Heads up
- As an intensely popular tourist spot, midday crowd density is suffocatingly high; the walkways are extremely narrow, making navigating with a stroller or wheelchair exhausting.
- The souvenirs sold are highly repetitive; dozens of stalls hawk identical plastic Mardi Gras beads, mass-produced masks, and cheap NOLA T-shirts, giving off an overly commercialized vibe.
- Being a semi-open outdoor structure, it lacks modern central A/C; mid-summer middays get brutally hot and muggy inside, with heat waves mixing with the seafood stalls' fishy odors.
- Street parking nearby is virtually nonexistent, and adjacent private lots charge exorbitant fees; self-driving tourists should strictly avoid bringing vehicles into this congested grid.