The Marais neighborhood is named after an ancient marsh that has been inhabited since the 12th century. Because of its rich tradition and the aura it exudes, this ancient quarter is now one of the most vibrant in the capital. The Place de la Bastille, de la République, and de l'Hôtel de Ville create a triangle around the district. Many homes were converted into internationally recognized museums between the 17th and 18th centuries (Musée Picasso Paris, Maison de Victor Hugo, Musée Carnavalet, etc.). The Place des Vosges, a masterpiece of balance and elegance, is the climax of a trip through the Marais area. Rue des Rosier is the heart of Paris' Jewish population. Its atmosphere, its shops, and its restaurants are worth a visit. Located in the heart of Paris, the Marais district fascinates with its architecture and the richness of its history. Romantic, festive, and trendy, the Marais seduces tourists with its cobbled streets, historic sites, and small shops. Popular with walkers and Parisians, it invites you to relax as well as shopping! Zoom in on this unmissable place with a thousand facets.
Many 17th-century mansions are recognizable by their carved white sandstone and a large porch designed to allow the passage of old cars. Some of them are even listed as historical monuments! The most notable are the hotels of Sally and Soubisée, or the magnificent Hôtel Salé with the current Picasso Museum, where the writer Honoré de Balzac spent so much time.
A must-see in Paris, the Place de l'Hôtel de Ville with its magnificent architecture and its front courtyard that hosts many events throughout the year. A little further on this road, you’ll encounter the romantic Place des Vosges, built during the Renaissance, and the oldest square in Paris. Surrounded by brick buildings, a veritable little green square is home to many statues, including Victor Hugo, Marquis Sévigné, and even Colette. Finally, the baroque Saint-Louis Saint-Paul Dumaset church with a rather colorful clock, containing paintings by Eugène Delacroix. There are a lot of treasures here, and when you walk around, they will appear around every corner ! For example, Rue François Miron with two half-timbered houses attracts the attention of passers-by. Well known as the oldest house in Paris, built-in 1407, the house of Nicolas Flamel can be seen on rue de Montmorency,
Many 17th-century mansions are recognizable by their carved white sandstone and a large porch designed to allow the passage of old cars. Some of them are even Du Haut Marais to the banks of the Seine, the charm of this district is unique, offering a real dive into the heart of Parisian history!
Whether you like contemporary art, romanticism, 18th-century classicism, or want to discover the historical secrets of Paris, the museums of this district cater to all your cultural desires. The unmissable Center Pompidou is known for its monumental structure and its architectural originality with colored pipes, it houses the largest collection of modern and contemporary art in France. Take advantage of this visit to admire one of the most beautiful views of Paris ! At the Cognac-jay Museum, visitors immerse themselves in a Parisian mansion from the Age of Enlightenment with works of art, sculptures, engraved furniture, and visible treasures. In this context, the Carnavalet museum exhibits souvenirs of the French Revolution and Parisian objects from the past. At the house of the writer Victor Hugo, the curious can appreciate the building where the author of Les Misérables lived. The Museum of Jewish Art and History is located on the rue du temple de l'Hôtel de Saint-Aignan. Finally, the Picasso Museum presents a selection of the most beautiful works of Spanish painters, as well as many changing themes.
Art lovers and collectors of all styles will finally spend time in one of the many art galleries in the neighborhood, including the must-see Perotin, Sadeus Ropac, Daniel Tempron, Karsten Grave, and Eric DuPont galleries.
Whether you're listening to jazz in the basement of 38`Rivoli, having a coffee on the roof of the Picasso Museum, enjoying Rue Rozier de Falafel, or having a joyous time on a rooftop like Le Perchoir, the Marais is the place to be. For the bar, La Perle, Candelaria and Le Progrès promise a vibrant and trendy evening!
To spend a moment of relaxation, the many terraces of this district are among the favorites of Parisians to have a drink with friends under the sky of the capital on a sunny day. There is a dance bar, Speakeasy, karaoke, something for everyone! You choose the atmosphere.
During major Parisian events, such as the Pride March, the Midnight Sun Festival, and Museum Nights, the Marais district is often also celebrated. A safe bet!
For all fashion lovers, this is undoubtedly one of the best shopping areas in Paris! There are many fashion boutiques and gourmet addresses, as well as its department store called BHV, with a dome and a breathtaking view of the Hôtel de Ville in Paris, the BVH MARAIS is an emblematic building of Parisian commerce. Located in the heart of the Marais district, this department store was built in 1856 and offers stands of major ready-to-wear brands as well as leisure, design, and catering areas. In the surroundings, many streets in the district are full of shops of all kinds, such as rue Vieille-du-Temple, rue du Temple, or rue Charlot. The major brands can be found, such as Uniqlo, COS, The Kooples, and Scotch & Soda. And for vintage fans, the Marais is a little paradise where thrift shops are popping up everywhere! There are also luxury brands such as Gucci, john Galliano or even Karl Lagerfeld
Since the 1980s, the gay community has settled in Marais, in bars, clubs, restaurants, and bookstores. Even today, it is well represented in several establishments, notably rue des Archives, rue du Temple, rue de la Verrerie, rue des Lombards. Have a drink at the Open Café or the COX and go to the Raidd Bar for a lively evening, Tango (La Boîte à frissons), or to the mythical club Le Dépôt. And for women, you have to go to Mutinerie or Bar'ouf! Finally, do not miss the famous pedestrian crossing in the colors of the rainbow at the intersection of the Rue du Temple and Rue des Archives.
The Marais meets all gourmet desires at any time of the day!
For lunch and dinner, restaurants such as Glou, l'Art de la Truffe, and Robert et Louise give pride to French cuisine, gourmet is reinterpreted with a touch of modernity. On the banks of the Seine, Le Bercant takes its guests on a journey between the sounds of opera and the gastronomy of the three colors. The Marais also has gourmet restaurants like L'Ambroisie place des Vosges and typical Parisian brasseries like Brasserie Bofinger, le petit Bofinger, Le Comptoir des Archives and Les Philosophes. And for light meals in a hurry, street food meets all your needs: don't forget pancakes, pasta, and bagels ! And to taste the best falafels in Paris, go to one of the following shops on rue Rozier : At l'As du Fallafel, small balls of chickpeas go wonderfully with raw vegetables and tahini sauce home. A real treat for the taste buds! The Marais is also a dream district for lovers of sweet pleasures. Bakeries and their specialties are legions there, tea rooms have taken over many streets, and the big names in pastry have opened their gourmet shops there, like Yann Couvreur, Pierre Hermé, or Christophe Michalak. For sweet snacks with flavors from elsewhere, rue des Rosiers offers many Yiddish bakeries to taste your choice of Linzer torte, strüdel, baklava or vatrouchka.
