Rue des Gravilliers in Le Marais Just Made Time Out’s 31 Coolest Streets List for 2025

Time Out has just released its list of the 31 Coolest Streets in the World, and of course, Paris has managed to nab one of the spots. Coming in at #13, this street in Le Marais, the 3rd arrondissement, definitely has a cool vibe. Although it was nearly demolished 60 years ago.

But Rue des Gravilliers isn’t all hip, trendy coolness; it’s steeped in history too and has been around since the Middle Ages. Today, it’s a fabulous mix of boutique shops, quirky bars and restaurants, and artisan shops and art galleries.

So, what makes a 13th-century street one of the coolest in the world? Well, that’s exactly what I’m about to show you. From its origins as a working-class thoroughfare where dyers prepared fabrics to its current status as the epicenter of trendy Paris, this narrow street tells a story that’s worth hearing. 

What Time Out Had to Say About Rue des Gravilliers

Time Out called the Marais “the epicentre of trendy Paris,” which is quite the turnaround for a neighborhood that was on the verge of demolition six decades ago. Rue des Gravilliers beat out some tough competition to claim that #13 spot. Rio de Janeiro’s Rua do Senado took the top prize, followed by Orange Street in Osaka at #2. 

What caught the eye of whoever was judging? The street’s mix of everything: the last traditional leather craftsmen working next door to Jixiao’s Buns (serving some of the city’s best Asian canteen food from Paris’s oldest Chinatown). Trendy restaurants like Finka, Mischief, and Derrière, and art galleries like Balice Hertling and PACT, showcasing emerging artists.

A Street That’s Been Here Since the 1200s

Rue des Gravilliers dates back to at least 1250. It’s one of the oldest streets in Paris. The street was part of the Saint-Martin-des-Champs borough development in the early 13th century, when Paris was still expanding outward.

The name tells you what happened here. Gravilliers were workers who prepared graveled ash by burning dried vinegar lees. The ash was used to prepare fabrics for dyeing. It was skilled work, and the street took its name from the people doing it.

Over the centuries, the street continued to evolve. At No. 69, you’ll find remains of the grand Hôtel d’Estrées, built around 1550 by Jean d’Estrées. At No. 70 sits the petit Hôtel d’Estrées with a beautiful mascaron above the entrance. This one’s even older than the Grand Hotel next door.

In 1865, the International Workingmen’s Association’s first office opened at number 44. This was an early workers’ organization that would influence labor movements across Europe.

The street survived when so many others didn’t. During the 1860s, Baron Haussmann demolished huge sections of medieval Paris to create wide boulevards. Rue des Gravilliers emerged relatively intact, preserving its narrow medieval character as the city transformed around it.

What You’ll Find When You Visit

The street runs between Rue du Temple and Rue Beaubourg in the 3rd arrondissement and is only 600 meters long, so it won’t take you much time to walk it. But take your time to explore, as there is so much to see on this little street. The nearest metro is Arts et Métiers on lines 3 and 11. 

The Food Scene

Datil is the star of the street. Chef Manon Fleury’s plant-based restaurant won the 2024 Time Out Food & Drink Award for Best Restaurant. Make sure you book ahead so you don’t miss out.

Jixiao’s Buns serves Asian canteen food from Paris’s oldest Chinatown. It’s casual, affordable, and the buns are excellent.

Then you’ve got the trendy trio: Finka, Mischief, and Derrière. These restaurants brought the cool crowd to the street and keep them coming back.

At No. 69, you’ll find 404, a legendary North African restaurant that’s been here for years. Next door is Andy Wahloo, a cocktail bar with a retro 1950s vibe. Both are part of the same building and share a hidden terrace out back.

Spootnik is another cocktail bar worth checking out, down in a basement with a small dance floor if you fancy a boogie.

The Artisan Shops

Taka & Vermo sells exceptional cheeses. It’s the kind of place where staff know their products inside out and will talk you through everything.

If French bread is your thing, Sain does sourdough breads. Proper artisan stuff, not the mass-produced kind you find everywhere else.

Art Galleries & Culture

Balice Hertling showcases emerging artists. The gallery sits in one of those restored old buildings that make contemporary art look even better against centuries-old walls.

PACT is another gallery focusing on up-and-coming artists. Between the two of them, you get a good sense of what’s happening in Paris’s art scene right now.

The street also has the last traditional leather craftsmen still working in the area. You can watch them at their benches through shop windows, carrying on trades that have been here for generations.

Why You’ll Love Le Marais

Rue des Gravilliers sits in the heart of the 3rd arrondissement, in the Marais, which stretches across the 3rd and 4th arrondissements. The name Marais means “marsh,” because that’s exactly what this area was before the 12th century. The land was drained and developed, and by the 17th century, it had become the most fashionable district in Paris.

Aristocrats built their hôtels particuliers here, grand townhouses with courtyards hidden behind imposing doors. Place des Vosges, built in 1612, became the model for elegant city squares across Europe. Victor Hugo lived there, and you can still visit his apartment today.

The Marais is also home to Paris’s historic Jewish quarter, the Pletzl, centered around Rue des Rosiers. Jewish families settled here from the 13th century onwards, and despite persecution over the centuries, the community survived. You’ll still find kosher bakeries, delis, and synagogues alongside the trendy boutiques.

Today, the Marais is known for its LGBTQ+ scene, vintage shops, art galleries, and some of the best falafel in Paris.