Le Marais, the hype neighborhood of Paris
- Admin
- May 30
- 3 min read
The Marais is a picturesque neighborhood, full of restaurants, bars, shops, museums, squares and lots of lively people on the streets.
You'll find plenty to do and see. It's one of those places where you can stay for an afternoon, a day, a week... It's always not enough and it's definitely a little piece of Paris that you'll want to return to every time you visit the city.
It is also a neighborhood that preserves some medieval buildings and several mansions from the 17th and 18th centuries, which attest to the interesting and eventful history of the place.
It is located partly in the 3rd and partly in the 4th.
Here, the program can be composed of a little bit of everything: it's nice to stroll through the streets, sit in one of the neighborhood's charming squares, enter through a large gate and be dazzled by a tangle of interconnected courtyards, try delicious Jewish cuisine (very present in this area), visit some of the excellent local museums or check out some restaurants and bars... These are just examples of the many things there are to enjoy.
Don't rule out visiting on Sundays. While much of Paris shuts down, shops and museums in the Marais are open. Many streets are closed to traffic and the streets are crowded.
Don't be shy when you see a stylish shop window or gallery. Everyone is welcome here, there's something for everyone. We could even go as far as to say that this is the most eclectic neighborhood in Paris.
So, you will find:
✔ Famous stores, very chic, chic, simple, very simple...
✔ Cool, alternative stores, some very modern and others very traditional.
This list of adjectives can be used for everything: restaurants, bars, markets...
For these and other reasons, the Marais is so welcoming and fun.
The day in the neighborhood doesn't start early. The daily hustle and bustle, with shops open, cafes full and people coming and going, starts after 10 or 11 am. On Sundays, sometimes even later.
Early in the morning, the plan is different. Sitting on the benches in the squares, which are still empty, having a coffee and taking the time to explore the smaller streets is also a good idea.
You are likely to come across medieval alleys and Renaissance mansions. You can (and should!) visit many of these mansions (Hôtels particuliers). Some are now excellent museums, while others allow visitors to visit their courtyards and gardens. Throughout the blog, we will give you tips on the must-see places.
Two super tips to make your program perfect:
✔ Set aside more time than planned: the shops and galleries are really interesting and you won't be able to just walk past;
✔ The day before, take a look at the weather forecast. You'll definitely enjoy it more without the rain. The Marais is a bit crowded when it's raining, with so many open umbrellas. If you can't change the day, that's okay, it's worth it. The only thing that will be affected is the outdoor activities.
The Marais is full of squares and small gardens where you can relax, have a snack or prepare a more elaborate picnic. What's more, children can let loose as much as they want. We've prepared a list of squares and gardens that you'll find along the way. Even if it's quick, don't miss it, because you'll get to know the daily life of Parisians.
In other posts, we will give you tips on various shops, art galleries, squares, restaurants and hotels. You will definitely love them!
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