Romantic, festive, connected, the Marais has a lot to offer with its cobbled streets, historic places and small boutiques. Located in central Paris, this village-like district is built on the former marshes from which it takes its name. Popular with walkers and Parisians alike, it's an ideal place for both détente and shopping! Let's take a closer look at this unmissable place with its thousand facets.
Located in the heart of Paris on the right bank, the Marais owes its charm to the richness of its architecture and its history, making this district a unique place.
Numerous 17th-century ‘hôtels particuliers’ (private mansions) can be recognised by their carved white ashlars and their wide porches, designed to accommodate the horse-drawn carriages of yesteryear. Some of them have even been listed as historic monuments! Among the most remarkable are the hôtels de Sully and Soubise, and the particularly majestic Hôtel Salé, where the writer Honoré de Balzac once sat and which today houses the famous Picasso museum.
A must-see in Paris is the architecturally imposing Hôtel de Ville, whose forecourt hosts numerous events throughout the year. A little further from the Hôtel de Ville, the romantic place des Vosges, built during the Renaissance, is the oldest square in Paris. A small square of greenery surrounded by brick buildings, it has been the home of many famous people, including Victor Hugo, Madame de Sévigné and Colette. Finally, the baroque church of Saint-Louis Saint-Paul in the Marais, with its pretty, colourful clock and a painting by Eugène Delacroix. There are many treasures to be found here, and you can discover them all on a stroll around every corner!
Head for rue François Miron, where two half-timbered buildings catch the eye of passers-by. Often identified as the oldest houses in Paris, they actually date back to the 16th century. The prize goes to the house of Nicolas Flamel, built in 1407 and also located in the Marais on rue Montmorency.
From the Haut Marais to the rives de la Seine, this charming, village-like district offers a real plunge into the heart of Parisian history! Discover the Marais.
Whether you're into contemporary art, 18th-century romanticism and classicism or want to discover the historical secrets of Paris, the museums of the Marais have something for everyone. Discover its heritage treasures.
Not to be missed is the George Pompidou Centre, recognisable by its monumental structure and the originality of its architecture with its coloured pipes, home to France's largest collection of modern and contemporary art. You can also take advantage of this visit to admire one of the most beautiful views of Paris!
At the musée Cognacq-Jay, visitors can immerse themselves in a Parisian mansion from the Age of Enlightenment, with works of art, sculptures, stamped furniture and precious objects as far as the eye can see. The Musée Carnavalet exhibits memorabilia from the **French Revolution and objects from the Paris of yesteryear. In the house of the writer Victor Hugo, the curious can admire a building preserved as it was when the author of Les Misérables was alive, while the Museum of Jewish Art and History is located on rue du Temple in the Haut Marais in the hôtel de Saint-Aignan. Finally, at the Picasso museum, a selection of the finest works by the Spanish painter is on display alongside a number of temporary themes.
Art lovers and collectors of all styles can spend some time in one of the many art galleries in the area, including the unmissable Galerie Perrotin, Thaddaeus Ropac, Daniel Templon, Karsten Greve and Eric Dupont. The Galerie Wawi also offers the chance to paint with the accompaniment of an artist in a musical setting, for a memorable evening.
For all fashion lovers, the Marais is undoubtedly one of the best areas in Paris for shopping!
The BHV MARAIS is a landmark of Parisian commerce, with its dome and view over the Hôtel-de-Ville. Dating back to 1856, this grand magasin in the heart of the Marais houses the stands of the major ready-to-wear brands, as well as leisure and design items and restaurants.
Many of the surrounding streets are full of shops of all kinds, including rue Vieille-du-Temple, rue du Temple and rue Charlot. The big names are all here, including Uniqlo, COS, The Kooples and Scotch & Soda. And for vintage fans, the Marais is a little paradise where friperies flourish everywhere!
A variety of concept stores have also taken up residence in the Marais, such as Bring France Home, which offers souvenirs of the City of Light made in France, and Front de mode and its eco-friendly products.
Empreintes, the must-visit address in the heart of the Marais, offers a unique shopping experience with creations by French artisans, combining expertise and elegance.
In recent years, luxury brands such as Karl Lagerfeld, Gucci and John Galliano have also taken up residence here.
There's something for every budget!
At any time of day, the Marais has something for everyone!
For lunch or dinner, restaurants such as Glou, Robert et Louise in the Haut Marais and l'Art de la Truffe celebrate French cuisine with a contemporary twist. Meanwhile, Le Bel Canto, on the quays of the Seine, takes diners on a journey between opera arias and tricolour gastronomy. The Marais also boasts several gourmet restaurants, such as L'Ambroisie on Place des Vosges and typical Parisian brasseries, including Brasserie Bofinger, Le Petit Bofinger, Le Comptoir des Archives and Les Philosophes. And for those with a little appetite or who are in a hurry, street food has something for everyone: pancakes, noodles, not forgetting bagels! And for the best fallafels in Paris, head for one of the shops on rue des Rosiers, such as l'As du Fallafel, where the little chickpea dumplings go wonderfully well with grilled aubergines, crudités and homemade tahini sauce. A real treat for the taste buds!
The Marais is also a dream area for lovers of sweet treats. Bakeries** and their specialities are legion, tea bars** have taken over many of the streets, and the big names in pastry have opened their gourmet shops here, including Yann Couvreur, Pierre Hermé and Christophe Michalak. For those with a sweet tooth and a ‘taste of home’, there are plenty of Yiddish bakeries in the Rue des Rosiers, where you can sample linzer torte, strüdel, baklava or vatrouchka.
When the temperature rises, it's in front of the glaciers that passers-by stop! Some of the most popular in the area: Pozzetto, Amorino... Give it a try!
Whether you're listening to jazz in the cellar of 38Riv', enjoying a coffee on the roof of the musée Picasso, a fallafel rue des Rosiers or spending a convivial moment on a rooftop like the Perchoir, the Marais is a great place to go out!
As for bars, La Perle, Candelaria and Le Progrès promise lively, trendy evenings! For a moment of relaxation, the many terrasses in the district are among the favourites of Parisians, who take advantage of the fine weather to have a drink with friends under the skies of the capital. Dance bars, speakeasy, karaoke, there's something for everyone! The choice is yours.
During major Parisian events, such as the Pride March, Nuit Blanche or Nuit des musées, the Marais is often part of the party too. A sure bet!
Since the 1980s, the gay community has made the Marais its home, with its bars, clubs, restaurants and bookshops. Today, it is still well represented in several establishments, notably rue des Archives, rue du Temple, rue de la Verrerie and rue des Lombards. You can meet up at COX for a drink, at Raidd Bar for an evening of music and entertainment, or at Tango (La Boîte à frissons). And if you're looking for something more feminine, the Mutinerie or Bar'ouf are the places to go! And don't miss the famous passages piétons décorés aux couleurs de l'arc en ciel at the crossroads of rue du Temple and rue des Archives.
The authentic Marais is a place of French traditions and know-how. Located on rue de Bretagne, the Marché Couvert des Enfants Rouges is the oldest in Paris. Colourful stalls, fresh produce, flowers and small dishes from around the world... it's a convivial meeting place for Parisians. On market days, traders also set up shop on the place Baudoyer and sometimes on the parvis de la mairie de Paris Centre. For local produce, the rue de Bretagne is home to a number of quality food shops, from bakeries to cheesemongers. A real treat!
In the heart of the Village Saint-Paul-Le-Marais, almost 200 small antique and design shops make it an ideal place to find unusual objects! And if you can't find what you're looking for, the Marais is home to a whole host of flea markets from early spring to mid-autumn!
For everything else, head to Mariages Frères to discover a wide range of quality teas, Diptyque for perfumed candles or Fragonard to try out some new perfumes. And if you're looking for a designer look, head to one of the Fleux boutiques on rue Sainte-Croix de la Bretonnerie.
Discover the Marais district through its boutiques, restaurants and bars, wine tastings, guided tours and many other must-do activities in this iconic Parisian location.
The Marais is a historic district located in the centre of Paris, mainly in the 3rd and 4th arrondissements. It is bounded by the Seine to the south and extends as far as the area around the Place de la République to the north.
Paris's Marais district is packed with places not to be missed:
The Place des Vosges is one of the oldest and most beautiful squares in Paris. Built in the early 17th century, it is surrounded by elegant arcades and red brick buildings. It's the perfect place to relax in the gardens or discover the former home of Victor Hugo, now a museum.
Located in the Hôtel Salé, the Musée Picasso is dedicated to the work of the famous Spanish artist Pablo Picasso. It houses more than 5,000 works by the artist, as well as temporary exhibitions tracing his career and his influence on modern art.
If you want to delve into the history of Paris, the Musée Carnavalet is a must. This free museum traces the history of the city from its origins to the present day, through collections of objects, paintings and period furniture.
The Marais is also the historic centre of Paris's Jewish community. The rue des Rosiers, with its many kosher shops and restaurants, is a lively and historic place. Be sure to try a falafel in one of the renowned restaurants such as L'As du Fallafel.
The Marais is known for its many art galleries, but the Galerie Perrotin is one of the most famous. Here you will find exhibitions of world-renowned contemporary art in an elegant and inspiring setting.
The Marais is full of fashion boutiques, designer boutiques and concept stores. Stroll along streets such as rue Vieille du Temple, rue des Francs-Bourgeois and rue de Turenne to discover local and international brands.
The Marais is also a festive place with many trendy bars and cafés. You can spend an evening here in a convivial atmosphere, particularly in the LGBTQ+ establishments popular on the rues Sainte-Croix-de-la-Bretonnerie and des Archives.
For lovers of religious architecture, the church Saint-Paul-Saint-Louis is a fine example of the Baroque style in Paris. Located in the Marais district, it impresses with its majestic volumes and architectural details.
For lovers of French literature, the Maison de Victor Hugo, located at 6 Place des Vosges, is a must-see. This museum, where Hugo lived, exhibits personal objects, manuscripts and works of art relating to the writer.
One of the greatest joys of the Marais is simply wandering through its picturesque alleyways. Some, like rue des Francs-Bourgeois or rue des Archives, offer a journey back in time with their historic buildings and unique atmosphere.
