Things to do nearFrench Market: Shops of the Colonnade
The French Market Shops of the Colonnade in New Orleans, Louisiana, draws visitors with its open-air stalls, local crafts, and deep Creole trading heritage.
The French Market Shops of the Colonnade occupies a stretch of covered open-air market space along Decatur Street in the French Quarter, a site with a trading history stretching back to the early eighteenth century when Native Americans gathered here to barter goods along the river's edge. Spanish and French colonial administrators formalized the market over time, and the current colonnade structure reflects the layered architectural influence of those successive rulers.
Today the market functions as a lively gathering point where local vendors sell handcrafted goods ranging from ironwork and pottery to Mardi Gras masks and locally bottled hot sauces. Visitors move at a relaxed pace through the shaded stalls, pausing to talk with artisans about their work or sample small bites of regional food. The proximity to the Mississippi River means a breeze frequently moves through the open colonnade, making it one of the more comfortable outdoor spaces in the Quarter during warmer months.
Beyond the crafts, the market reflects the cultural layering that defines New Orleans itself, with vendors representing Creole, Caribbean, and broader American folk traditions side by side. Street musicians sometimes perform nearby, adding a soundtrack that feels entirely native to the neighborhood. For anyone seeking a genuine sense of New Orleans as a living, trading, creative city rather than a museum piece, the French Market Shops of the Colonnade offers an experience grounded in real local commerce and centuries of unbroken tradition.
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Tips for visiting French Market: Shops of the Colonnade
Visit during the cooler morning hours between 9 a.m. and noon to browse the stalls before midday heat and weekend crowds settle in.
Try a bag of pralines from one of the local candy vendors inside the market, a classic New Orleans confection made with pecans and brown sugar.
Bring small bills and cash, as many of the independent vendors at the market do not accept card payments.
Walk the full length of the colonnade toward the Flea Market section at the far end, where local artisans and antique sellers set up alongside souvenir stalls.
Pair your visit with a stop at Café Du Monde just steps away, where beignets and café au lait have been served to passersby for generations.
Top tours & experiences near French Market: Shops of the Colonnade
Ride a 1-Hour French Quarter & Marigny Carriage Tour
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Explore French Quarter Craft Cocktail Walking Tour
Sip 3 classic cocktails on a small French Quarter walking tour
Explore the French Quarter on a 2-Hour Guided Tour
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French Quarter Cocktail & History Tour
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Historic French Quarter Walking Tour
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Marie Laveau Voodoo Walking Tour in New Orleans
French Quarter walking tour focused on Marie Laveau and New Orleans voodoo history
French Quarter 3-Hour Food Walking Tour
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Private New Orleans City & Cemetery Tour
Cover the French Quarter, Garden District, and a cemetery on a 2.5-hour private tour
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See New Orleans highlights by air-conditioned vehicle with a licensed guide
Explore French Quarter History Walking Tour in New Orleans
Walk the French Quarter in a small group and get local food tips
French Quarter African History & Architecture Tour
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Ride a 1-Hour Haunted French Quarter Carriage Tour
Hear French Quarter ghost stories on a 1-hour night carriage ride
Private New Orleans Driving Tour With Garden District & French Quarter
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New Orleans Segway Tour
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New Orleans Voodoo Tour & Private Tarot Reading
Explore New Orleans spirituality with a Tarot creator and cultural scholar
New Orleans Chef-Led Food Tasting Tour
Taste New Orleans classics with a local chef’s culinary insight
French Quarter Kitchen: Cook 3 Cajun Dishes
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Look beyond the landmarks to explore New Orleans' history and recovery
New Orleans Garden District Walking Tour with Cocktails
Savor local bites and a welcome cocktail while exploring the Garden District’s grand homes and history.
Large Airboat Alligator Swamp Tour from New Orleans
Glide across bayous at high speed, spotting alligators and native wildlife with an expert captain.
2-Hour Guided City Tour of New Orleans
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Taste 4 dishes and sip 4 cocktails on a guided French Quarter walk
Private 4-Hour New Orleans History Driving Tour
See New Orleans history by private car, from the French Quarter to the Garden District