Some of My Favorite Things to do in the Marais District of Paris
You could spend several days in the neighborhood and not see everything, so here are a few of my favorite things to do in the Marais District of Paris. I hope you find them helpful on one of your trips.
Before we left on this trip to France, I did my usual research and found a lot of information on this charming and fashionable neighborhood. The articles were 20 things to do, 10 places to eat, 30 things to see, and so on and so on.
But knowing I didn’t have days to spend in one neighborhood, they weren’t very helpful. So late one morning I set out to see what I could find and enjoy for the afternoon and evening – which is how I boiled it down to a manageable list of some of my favorite picks for things to do and a very fun place to eat.
Why is it called the Marais?
Here’s a little piece of the history of Paris. During the 14th century, the Le Marais District was swamp land created by the dead arm of the Seine River. It was originally developed for gardening, and only later was it further developed to include all the historically and architecturally important buildings that today make Le Marais one of the more trendy neighborhoods in Paris.
Victor Hugo, the famous French writer (les Miserables and Hunchback of Notre Dame), lived in the Marais at Place des Vosges, now home to many private mansions. You can still tour his private apartment (Maison de Victor Hugo) which has been turned into a museum.
Place des Vosges
Where is the Marais located?
The Marais is spread over the 3rd and 4th Arrondissements and is located on the Right Bank of the River Seine. Today, you’ll find bakeries, art museums, department stores, pastry shops, historic monuments, famous as well as boutique hotels, and cafés for casual and fine dining.
As I made my way through the Marais, I couldn’t help but notice how the area was full of both locals and tourists.
What’s the best way to get to the Marais?
Since there are multiple metro stations, we opted for that. But you can also easily get there by bus, taxi or Uber.
Here are my very favorite things to see and do in the Marais
I could go on all afternoon about the architecture, the best places, the fashionable boutiques, and why I enjoyed them so much. But instead, I’m going to let the photos tell the stories here in no particular order.
Visit Musée Picasso
The Picasso Museum is one of my favorites in Paris. It’s typically not crowded and seems more intimate than the Louvre for example. It’s a very pleasant way to spend an hour or two. And it’s worth a few minutes in the courtyard just enjoying the quiet solitude. You might even want to have lunch at the small casual cafe here.
If you happen to be in Paris on the first Sunday of any month, the entrance is free, and you don’t even need a ticket.
Lovely streets, shops & cafes throughout The Marais
Le Enfants Rouges
Maison Fleurus
Merci Paris
I stop in to Merci at least one time during every trip to Paris. On this trip, I stopped twice. I find it inspiring and a place where I get so many creative ideas. I also love their outdoor cafe. Not only because the food is fun and delicious but it’s a great place for people-watching too!
Motorcycles & Bike Shops
I don’t know why, but during this particular visit, I noticed so many motorcycle and bike shops. I’m not in the market for either one, but I couldn’t resist snapping a few photos.
Hôtel de Ville (City Hall)
Centre Pompidou
I walked by Centre Pompidou several times during my last visit but didn’t stop in. There is a museum and an exhibition hall along with a French restaurant on the top floor. However, I only had a few minutes so we decided to ride the escalator up to the top floor and take in views of Paris from above. It’s a great place to catch a view of the Eiffel Tower in the distance and well worth a few minutes of your time – even if that is all you do here.
Saint Jacques Tower (Tour Saint Jacque)
I had read somewhere that you ride the elevator to the top floor and get a spectacular 360-degree view of Paris. But on the day we visited, it was closed. And since it was just a few steps away from Centre Pompidou, we had just seen a very similar view. However, there was a small, shady park surrounding the tower which was a nice break from the sun and heat. There were also some public restrooms – which are not easy to find when exploring any big city.
Marché des Enfants-Rouges
I have always enjoyed the charm of open-air fresh markets. And while planning this trip I kept seeing photos of Marché des Enfants Rouges and decided I needed to see it – given that is the oldest covered market in Paris dating all the way back to 1628 and the 17th century.
While exploring the area I also noticed many other stores and boutiques with the name “Rouges” in it. With a little research, I discovered the name of the market “Marché des Enfants Rouges” directly translated means “The Market of the Red Children”, which refers to the nearby “Hospice Des Enfants-Rouges” or orphanage where the orphans were clothed in red, the color of charity.
