The Rapp parking, located at 9 Avenue de la République in Colmar, is the largest underground parking facility in the city center with its 900 spaces. For those planning a visit to the historic center or the Christmas markets, the question of pricing and the operation of this parking facility comes up regularly. Here’s what public data allows us to understand about its pricing structure, its features, and local alternatives.
Charging stations and long-term parking at Rapp
One point that parking guides in Colmar rarely address: the Rapp parking includes charging stations for electric vehicles. This infrastructure changes the usage logic of the parking, which is no longer limited to a simple stop before walking to Petite Venise.
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For a driver in an electric vehicle, parking at Rapp allows for a combination of parking and charging during the visit. The time spent in the city center (often two to four hours for a tourist) corresponds to a useful charging session. Field reports vary on the actual availability of charging stations during peak hours, but their presence makes Rapp a dual-function parking that not all other Colmar facilities offer.
When looking to know the rates for Rapp parking in Colmar, one must also consider this charging aspect, as the total cost of a stop may include the price of kWh in addition to the parking ticket.
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Rapp parking pricing compared to street parking
The Rapp parking operates like a structured parking facility: payment is made at automatic kiosks or through quarterly subscriptions. Parkopedia data indicates a rate of 4.50 euros for two hours, which gives a rough idea for a short visit.
On the street, the city of Colmar distinguishes two paid zones, with different rates:
| Duration | Orange zone (street) | Green zone (street) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 hour | 2.00 euros | 1.50 euros |
| 2 hours | 4.00 euros | 3.00 euros |
| 4 hours | 9.00 euros | 6.00 euros |
| 7 hours | 20.40 euros | 10.50 euros |
Street parking is paid from 9 AM to 12 PM and from 2 PM to 7 PM, except on Sundays and public holidays. The minimum amount for street parking is 0.50 euros.
For a two-hour visit, Rapp parking costs slightly more than the green zone on the street (4.50 euros vs. 3.00 euros). However, the guarantee of finding a spot in an underground parking facility with 900 spaces, without circling the streets of the center, often compensates for this difference for visitors unfamiliar with the city.
Resident and professional subscriptions
The city of Colmar offers quarterly subscriptions for structured parking, including Rapp. These plans are aimed at city center residents who do not have private garages and professionals who park daily. Payment on the street can also be made via subscription or through the Paybyphone, Easypark, and Flowbird apps.
Parking in Colmar during the Christmas markets
The Christmas market period radically transforms parking conditions in Colmar. The city center is then closed to vehicles over an extensive area, and surface parking becomes paid including Sundays and public holidays during the event season.
The city’s strategy relies on a system of park-and-ride facilities and free shuttles. The goal is to shift parking away from the center and streamline pedestrian flows in the shopping streets and around the chalets.
- Peripheral park-and-ride facilities offer free or reduced-rate parking, with shuttles to the center
- The city center is pedestrianized over a wide perimeter throughout the duration of the markets
- The hours of paid street parking are extended compared to the rest of the year
For those keen on using the Rapp parking during this period, it’s best to arrive early in the morning. The 900 spaces fill up quickly when several hundred thousand visitors flock to Alsace for the Colmar Christmas markets.
Alternatives to Rapp parking in the center of Colmar
Colmar has several structured parking facilities in addition to Rapp. Each serves a different area of the historic center:
- The Mairie parking, accessible at 03 89 20 68 73, is the closest to the cathedral square
- The Lacarre parking (03 89 29 31 72) is located on the south side of the center
- The Saint-Josse parking (03 89 20 12 15) serves the northern district
- The Gare/Bleylé parking (03 89 29 44 87) is suitable for those arriving by train and wanting to combine modes of transport
All these parking facilities operate with the same automatic kiosk system. Rates vary from one facility to another but remain within comparable ranges. The choice mainly depends on the area you are targeting: Rapp is well-suited for Petite Venise and the south of the center, while the Mairie parking is more appropriate for the Saint-Martin collegiate church.
Motorcycles: a distinct rate
Motorcycles benefit from reduced rates on the street in Colmar. In the orange zone, expect 0.60 euros per hour compared to 2.00 euros for a light vehicle. In the green zone, the rate drops to 0.50 euros per hour for a motorcycle. An option to consider for visitors arriving by scooter or motorcycle, although parking in a structured facility remains more secure.
Rapp parking remains the default choice for a visit to the center of Colmar due to its capacity and location. Its pricing structure, slightly higher than street parking, is justified by the security of the underground facility and the availability of charging stations. During the Christmas markets, free shuttles from park-and-ride facilities are an alternative that regular visitors to the city largely prefer.