What to Do in Le Marais: Travel Guide to the Best Spots
Last updated on November 7th, 2024 at 09:57 am
Originally a marshland, and then transformed into a prestigious district where French nobility built grand mansions, or “hôtel particuliers, Le Marais is full of history.
But what to do in Le Marais now in the 21st century? Well, you’re spoilt for choice.
Strolling through this Parisian district in the 3rd and 4th arrondissements, you’ll find old winding streets, chic shops, trendy restaurants, and lively bars.
Once home to the religious order of the Knights Templar, and more recently the Jewish Quarter with its kosher bakeries and delis, it’s a must-visit in Paris.
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Is Le Marais in Paris Worth Visiting
Absolutely, yes, Le Marais in Paris is worth visiting. Every time I go there I seem to find another hidden gem, whether it’s a place to eat or something new I hadn’t noticed before.
On my last trip, I met up with a friend who has lived in Paris for over fifteen years and she told me to look out for the mascarons, which translated into English means carved masks.
Apparently, their purpose was to ward away evil spirits and you’ll find them carved in stone above the doorways of the more fancy houses.
They were inspired by ancient Roman and Greek architecture, where grotesque and often frightening faces were used as decorative elements. In Paris, they began to appear prominently in the 16th century and continued to be a popular architectural feature through the 18th century.
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Pastry & Dessert Tour of Le Marais
✅ Visit the best sweet spots in Le Marais
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Le Marais Food and Wine Tour
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A Quick History Of Le Marais In The 3rd & 4th Arrondissements
I don’t know about you, but before I go anywhere I like to know the story behind the place I’m visiting, so very quickly I want to tell you the history of Le Marais. Trust me, it will make your visit much more special when you know what happened on the streets you’re about to wander through.
First of all, Le Marais translates into English as ‘The Swamp’, which it was for quite a while. It was where, in 1139, the Knights Templar settled.
In less than a century, they transformed this area into the market garden of Paris by following the example set by the monks of Saint Martin des Champs, who had dried up the swamps on the western edge a century earlier.
After reclaiming the land, the Templars moved to the northeastern edge, where they built a fortified compound, l’Enclos du Temple, which also served as their European headquarters.
In the 14th century, concerned about their wealth and influence, King Phillip the Fair of France, set about destroying the Templars. On 12 March 1314, Jacques de Molay, Grand Master of the Temple, was burnt at the stake. And so ended the reign of the Templars in Le Marais.
In the 16th century, the noblemen and bourgeoisie of Paris were looking for plots large enough to build their grand houses and turned to this undeveloped part of Paris. Throughout the 18th century, they constructed magnificent hôtels particuliers, large one-family houses, that often resembled palaces.
By the early 17th century, Le Marais had become the aristocratic neighbourhood of Paris. The palace of the Grand Prior of the Temple, located at the corner of today’s rue du Temple and Bretagne, was home to the illegitimate sons of royalty.
Even Mozart, at 10 years old visited the court here and played for an audience on his harpsichord.
But most famously, it was where Louis XVI and his family were held captive. Louis was imprisoned here in the tower until his execution on 21 January 1793. Then, true to form, Napoleon had the tower completely destroyed so it wouldn’t become a shrine for the Royalists.
The only thing left standing was the palace, which was used as a Convent during the Restoration and then also destroyed by Napoleon in 1853, to make way for his new Paris under the guidance of Baron Haussmann.
The Jewish Community in Le Marais
Jews have lived in Paris since the 1st century when the Romans conquered the city, and Le Marais is still the district with the biggest Jewish community known as the Pletzl (little place in Yiddish).
The Jewish part of Le Marais, really came into its own in the 1930s when thousands of families settled in the district, specifically around rue des Rosiers and Place Saint-Paul.
A whole industry sprung up during this period with Jewish businesses establishing themselves and synagogues built for the residents. It became a truly Yiddish neighbourhood in Paris.
Sadly, when the Nazis occupied Paris in World War II, Le Marais was destroyed and most of its inhabitants were either murdered or deported to labour camps.
During the 1960s though, there was a revival in the area, and the Jewish quarter re-established itself as people began picking up the pieces of their lives.
Now, there is very little evidence of the Templars or the Palace but the grand houses are still there to see and the area is perfect for watching and observing, or as the French would say, flâner.
11 Things To Do In Le Marais
It’s impossible to list everything there is to do and see in Le Marais, and this is definitely one of those districts to just let yourself wander in and see what you find.
However, there are some things you should add to your list if you find yourself in the 3rd or 4th arrondissement.
No 1 Place des Vosges
Possibly one of the loveliest parks in Paris it’s also a great spot for a picnic, and one of the few parks you’re allowed to do this in within the city.
Originally named Place Royale, it was built between 1605 and 1612 by Henri IV and is the oldest planned square in Paris. Renamed in 1793, it honours the Vosges department, the first to pay taxes to the government. It’s a fabulous place to explore with its red brick buildings and arcades.
The gardens are something else, beautifully manicured with fountains, and a statue of Louis XIII. It has been the address for a few famous people including Victor Hugo, whose house is now a museum, which is one of the other things to see on the list.
Other famous residents included Cardinal Richelieu and Madame de Sévigné.
No 2 Maison de Victor Hugo
This is one for the literary fans like me. Victor Hugo the famous novelist and author, lived at No 6 Place des Vosges. It was here he wrote The Hunchback of Notre Dame and some of Les Miserables.
It’s free to go in, but is closed on Wednesdays and is the only house open to the public on the square.
It’s fascinating wandering around the house, knowing that one of the literary greats sat here working on his novels. Sometimes there are temporary exhibitions, which you usually have to pay to see, but entry to the actual property is free.
There is a small restaurant onsite, Café Mulot, where you can enjoy a coffee or pastry and a self-guided tour app you can download and listen to as you wander around. Visit the museum website here >>>
No 3 Hôtel de Ville de Paris
From guillotines to Olympic rings, the city hall, or Hôtel de Ville de Paris, has seen a fair amount of action in its time. Since 1357, this piece of ground has had a government building stood on top of it.
It was completely destroyed in 1871 during the Paris Commune but was subsequently rebuilt. Now it’s the official office of the mayor of Paris.
At Christmas, there is a market with a carousel out the front and its proximity to the Seine makes it a great place to hang out.
Did you know, that every commune in France, no matter how small, has a mayor? Ours is a great chap who is extremely helpful when it comes to needing permission to get things done.
No 4 Picasso Museum | Musée Picasso
Picasso lived in Paris from his mid-twenties moving there permanently in 1904. Upon his death in 1973, his family donated many pieces of his work to the museum, which hadn’t yet opened.
Now you might be thinking how kind of them, to donate such precious works of art. However, there was a method in their madness as it was a way to avoid paying tax on their inheritance.
Luckily for them, in 1968, France enacted a law that permitted heirs to pay tax with art instead of money, as long as the art was deemed to be of significant cultural importance. And in this case, surprise, surprise, it most definitely was.
By 1974, the Hôtel Salé, a private mansion at 5 rue de Thorigny, had accepted the offer in lieu of tax payments. Renovation on the property began in 1979 and was finally completed in 1985 when the museum opened.
Like many museums, it’s closed on Mondays and is free to visit on the first Sunday of every month.
If you’re short on time and want to see famous works such as ‘The Barefoot Girl’ and ‘The Bull’s Head’ and learn more about Cubism and Picasso’s unique style from an art historian guide, this guided two-hour tour is the perfect option.
No 5 Centre Pompidou
If you’re a lover of art and architecture, then add a visit to the Pompidou Centre to your list. Designed by Renzo Piano, Richard Rogers, and Gianfranco Franchini, it opened in 1977 with a revolutionary “inside-out” design, featuring external escalators and structural elements.
It’s home to the Musée National d’Art Moderne and has a public library and music research centre. Once described as Paris’ answer to the Loch Ness Monster by a critic in La Figaro, it’s now been accepted by Parisians and attracts a huge amount of people each year.
The building itself, with its transparent escalators and vibrant exteriors, offers stunning views of Paris and is something you’ll want to see if architecture is something you enjoy.
And if it’s art that’s more your thing, you’ll find masterpieces from Picasso, Matisse, and Warhol, along with diverse artistic movements like Surrealism and Cubism.
If you want to avoid long queues and have your own guide, this private tour is a good option.
No 6 Musée des Arts et Métiers
This is one for the science lovers amongst you, although having said that, I am definitely not a science lover but I still really enjoyed this museum. It’s aptly close to the metro station called, Arts et Métiers, so it’s not hard to find.
Founded in 1794 by Henri Grégoire, it originally served to house scientific instruments, drawings, and inventions. Today, after a major refurbishment in 2000, the museum displays 2,400 of its 80,000 historical inventions.
The collections are organised into seven areas making it easy to walk around and choose the sections of interest: Energy, Communication, Transportation, Mechanics, Construction, Scientific Instruments, and Materials.
My favourite area was on the ground floor, which used to be a church, in particular, the Airplane Blériot XI suspended from the ceiling. It was flown by Louis Blériot, the first person to fly over the English Channel from Calais to Dover winning the Daily Mail competition and bagging himself a £1,000 prize which was a lot of money in 1909.
It’s absolutely fascinating and, one you can take the kids on a rainy day.
Entry to this museum is included in the Paris 2 or 4 Day Museum Pass >>>
No 7 Musée d’Histoire du Judaïsme
The Musée d’Art et d’Histoire du Judaïsme (mahJ) is located in the stunning former Hôtel de Saint-Aignan.
It was restored and dedicated to the museum in 1998 thanks to the initiative of Jacques Chirac, then Mayor of Paris. It tells the rich 2,000-year history of Jewish communities in France, Europe, and North Africa.
There is an extensive collection of Jewish religious objects and artworks and the exhibits are organised by chronological, geographical, and thematic themes, showcasing the diversity and unity of Jewish culture.
The museum also hosts temporary exhibitions, cultural events, and educational activities and includes access to works by Marc Chagall, Chaim Soutine, Michel Kikoine and Amedeo Modigliano.
For tickets and opening times check the museum website >>>
No 8 Marché des Enfants Rouges
If you really want to experience a French market you’ll love Marché des Enfants Rouges, the oldest covered market in Paris. It dates all the way back to 1615, if you can believe that, and is named after the orphanage that was originally on the same street as the market. Apparently, the kids from the orphanage wore red, hence the name, ‘Market of the Red Children’.
And it’s anything but boring, with an international food scene going on it’s bursting with flavour and will have your mouth watering within seconds. It has everything you can think of food wise and some things you can’t.
Located at 39 rue de Bretagne in the 3rd arrondissement it is quite literally an assault on the senses. Pans are sizzling, pots are filled to the brim with amazing smelling concoctions and everything is seasonal.
But it’s not the food that makes this market it’s the people. You couldn’t write the characters you’ll see, they’re storytellers at heart giving you a quintessential Parisian experience allowing you a small glimpse into life as a resident of Paris.
One stall you don’t want to miss is Chez Alain Miam Miam, but don’t look for seats because there aren’t any, however, it’s the best street food you’ll ever taste.
No 9 Maison de Flamel and Auberge Nicolas Flamel
If you’re a Harry Potter fan then this one is for you, as Nicolas Flamel wasn’t just a made up character in the Phillosopher’s Stone, he was a real person. I’ve written an entire article dedicated to this celebrated alchemist and his life in Paris if you care to read it.
But, there is now a restaurant in the house which once belonged to him, although he never actually lived there. It’s the oldest recorded house in Paris and was something Flamel commissioned after the death of his wife.
If you want to book a table you’ll need to check the opening times on the website.
No 10 Musée Carnavalet
Musée Carnavalet is the city’s oldest municipal museum and opened its doors in 1880. It was originally housed in the Hôtel Carnavalet, a 16th-century mansion home to the famous Marquise de Sévigné, regarded as one of the great icons of French 17th-century literature. It was the letters she wrote to her daughter that made her famous, but that’s a whole other story.
The museum was expanded over the years spilling over next doors into the 17th-century Hôtel Le Peletier de Sant-Fargeau mansion in 1989.
You’ll find an old writing box belonging to Madame de Sévigné as part of the exhibits within the museum, which I found fascinating.
Although there is plenty of artwork within the museum it isn’t actually an art museum but more a museum of Paris through the ages with each floor split into different time periods. The lower level takes you from the early prehistoric years through to the beginning of the 16th century and the first floor from the middle of the 16th century to modern day. The second floor is dedicated to the French Revolution which I found really interesting.
And the best part is that it’s free to go in but check the opening times on their website.
No 11 Musée de la Chasse et de la Nature
Possibly one of the most bizarre museums in Paris I’ve been to, it’s anything but boring. In my head, I’d conjured up this image of musty old guns and relics from old hunters from years ago.
Now, whilst it is a museum dedicated to ‘la Chasse’ (the hunt), it’s nothing like I imagined.
It’s more like an old, but very glamorous house you’d find in London in the 18th century. Every room felt like I entered someone’s house, and was absolutely magnificent.
But more than that, the actual museum and the exhibits were fascinating.
Some of the rooms are named after different animals such as Salle du Sanglier, the wild boar’s rooms. I know about wild boars as my neighbour Stefan rescued a baby one earlier in the year and was rearing him at home, which is strictly forbidden but Stefan has never been one to follow the rules.
Anyway, it’s hard to describe this place other than to say you should absolutely go and experience it for yourself.
Map Of The Best Spots & Hidden Gems in Le Marais
The Best Streets To Visit In Le Marais
No 1 Rue des Rosiers
Rue des Rosiers is the heart of the Jewish Quarter in Le Marais, brimming with cultural and culinary delights. This cobblestone street is famous for its falafel shops, kosher bakeries, and boutiques. The name translates to “Street of Rosebushes,” a nod to the roses that once grew abundantly in the nearby gardens during the medieval period.
No 2 Rue des Francs Bourgeois
Rue des Francs Bourgeois is a shopper’s paradise, lined with chic boutiques, trendy fashion stores, and elegant cafes. On Sundays, Rue des Francs Bourgeois becomes a pedestrian-only zone which is perfect for taking your time and doing a little bit of window shopping.
No 3 Rue du Temple
Rue du Temple is lined with elegant Haussmannian buildings, hidden courtyards, and historical landmarks. But for me, its fascination comes in the form of the Knights Templar, which had its headquarters in this area during the medieval period. Unfortunately, the only thing left that points to their history is the street name.
No 4 Rue des Archives
Rue des Archives is a living history book, offering a glimpse into Paris’s medieval past through its well-preserved buildings and historical sites. It’s also home to the Victor Hugo Museum I mentioned earlier, the Billettes Church and the Hôtel de Clisson.
No 5 Rue de Rivoli
Rue de Rivoli is a magnet for high-end shopping due to its proximity to famous landmarks like the Louvre Museum and the Hôtel de Ville. It features numerous shops, cafes, and the iconic BHV department store. It’s named after Napoleon’s victory at the Battle of Rivoli in 1797.
Where To Eat In Le Marais
With so many restaurants to choose from it’s hard to pin it down to just a couple so I’ve gone with the ones I’ve eaten in and enjoyed the most.
No 1 Bouillon République
Bouillon République serves classic French cuisine such as beef bourguignon, escargots, and coq au vin, along with a selection of hearty stews, soups, and pâtés. It’s very affordable, a throwback to the original bouillon restaurants with gorgeous Belle Époque interior.
📍 39 Bd du Temple, 75003 | 🌐 Make a Reservation
No 2 L’As Du Fallafel
L’As du Fallafel specialises in Middle Eastern cuisine, such as shawarma, kebabs, and various vegetarian options but its signature dish is the falafel sandwich. It’s a popular spot for a quick and affordable meal.
📍 32-34 Rue des Rosiers, 75004 | 🌐 Check website for opening times
No 3 Le Temps Des Cerises
Le Temps Des Cerises is a lovely bistro full of rustic charm with its wooden tables, red-checkered tablecloths, and vintage posters, offering traditional French cuisine with a focus on regional dishes. The menu includes classics like duck confit, onion soup, and various artisanal cheeses.
📍 31 rue de la Cerisaie, 75004 | 🌐 Make a reservation
No 4 Carette
Carette is a French patisserie perfect for those with a sweet tooth like me, offering a wide range of pastries, cakes, and light meals like salads and sandwiches. They are particularly famous for their macarons and hot chocolate. The price point is on the higher side for a café, but the Art Deco interior and yummy cakes make up for the price point.
📍 25 Place des Vosges, 75003 | 🌐 Check website for opening times
No 5 Bistrot Instinct
Bistrot Instinct serves contemporary French cuisine with a focus on seasonal and locally sourced ingredients. The menu changes regularly but it’s a bit of a splurge, with main courses typically priced between €20 and €40.
📍 19 rue de Picardie, 75003 | 🌐 Make a reservation
FAQS: Visiting Le Marais in Paris
What is the Marais district known for?
The Marais district in Paris is known for its historic architecture, vibrant cultural scene, and rich Jewish heritage. It features narrow medieval streets, trendy boutiques, art galleries, and notable museums like the Musée Picasso and the Musée Carnavalet.
Why is the Marais so popular?
The Marais is popular for its unique blend of historical charm and modern vibrancy. Visitors are drawn to its eclectic mix of fashion boutiques, lively cafés, diverse dining options, and cultural attractions, as well as its welcoming LGBTQ+ community.
How much time do you need in Le Marais?
To fully explore Le Marais, plan to spend at least half a day. This allows time to visit key sites like Place des Vosges, browse shops and galleries, and enjoy a meal at one of the district’s many restaurants.
What is the prettiest street in Marais Paris?
Rue des Rosiers is often considered the prettiest street in the Marais. It is famous for its charming ambience, historic buildings, and vibrant Jewish culture, including renowned bakeries and delicatessens.
Final Thoughts On What To Do In Le Marais
There are so many wonderful districts to visit in Paris from the Latin Quarter filled with history to Montmartre with artist’s square, but Le Marais is one you should definitely add to your list.
Hopefully I’ve whetted your appetite enough for you to spend some time exploring the 3rd and 4th arrondissements next time you’re in Paris.
A Quick Reminder of my favourite Le Marais tour?
This historical tour is completely personalised as it’s a private tour taking you to all the highlights and hidden gems – all five-star reviews.
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