Shops of the Colonnade occupies a row of covered arcades at 1008 N Peters St, inside the French Market on the riverside edge of the French Quarter. Founded in 1791, the French Market is often called the oldest public market in the United States, and visitors come to this stretch to browse local merchants under historic market sheds.
The colonnade’s open archways give shoppers shade and a steady river breeze while they move from storefront to storefront. Expect pralines and other Creole candy, hot sauces, T-shirts, Mardi Gras masks, beads, and fleur-de-lis keepsakes. Cajun Collectibles sells Pandora and other fine jewelry, according to the French Market District. The shops sit beside the open-air flea market, so a single visit can easily cover both. The French Market: Shops of the Colonnade holds a 4.5-star rating from nearly 15,000 reviews, according to travelpal.ai.
Visitor Highlights & Practical Info
Arrive on a weekday morning for the thinnest crowds. Weekend afternoons and the weeks around Mardi Gras and French Quarter Fest bring heavy foot traffic. The French Market lists the shops as open daily, but individual vendors set their own hours, so plan to finish browsing before early evening. Pair your visit with beignets at Café Du Monde and a walk to Jackson Square, both a short stroll up Decatur Street. The Old U.S. Mint sits at the market’s downriver end on Esplanade Avenue. The Riverfront streetcar line runs alongside the market, and parking is limited, so transit is the easier option.
