Ancienne Douane (Old Custom House), Colmar (must see)

Also known as the Koifhus, the Old Custom House (Ancienne Douane) is located at the intersection of the two medieval roads of the city, High Street (Grand Rue) and Merchants Street (Rue des Marchands). The present building, planned in 1433, was not completed until 1480. Annexes and add-ons of the 16th century made the house precarious by the 19th century. Demolition was in order.

But restoration, from 1895 to 1898, happened instead. The turret and glazed tiles are from that time. In 2002, the old sandstone balustrade was restored. The building was used as a warehouse and as an import-export tax center. The Federation of the Ten Imperial Cities of Alsace of 1534 met there. After the French Revolution, change came.

Commercial privileges were abolished. In 1840 the building was home to a theatre. In 1848 it was the first office of the discount bank. The Koifhus housed the Chamber of Commerce and boys' schools until 1930. Today it is a venue for public activities and events.

Jean Rapp, a French general and consul during the Napoleonic Wars, was born in the Old Custom House. His father was a janitor there. Rapp was known for his daring in battle and his sense of honor. There is a plaque on the Old Custom House for him. A statue of Jean Rapp, made by sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi, stands in the Field of Mars Park (Parc Champ de Mars).