It’s no secret that one of the most famous neighbourhoods in Paris is Le Marais. But long before all the beautiful museums, trendy boutiques, Instagram-worthy restaurants and cool cafés set up store in the neighborhood,’ Le Marais’ was literally the city’s’ swamp’ in the history of Paris. It’s not always been a chic component of the city. Most of the closely constructed nondescript structures we see today are from the Middle Ages. We are also treated with stunning architecture of places such as Place des Vosges and LE BHV MARAIS, numerous noble residences called Hôtel Particuliers, and local Parisian boutiques such as Arty Dandy. Le Marais was the only region excluded from the comprehensive refurbishment of Haussmann in Paris, which is why we have this charming combination of ancient elevated and low architecture.
Its deep-rooted history and the colourful LGBTQ+ community of the city from the 1990s created Le Marais the fun zone it is today. This paper will bring you through a complete day of various interesting operations that will not require you to leave the neighbourhood. This is your guide from day to night to enjoy Le Marais!
Spend the morning at Le Marais
Begin with a healthy breakfast
Start your day with a great breakfast at one of Le Marais’s cozy cafés. Café Marlette is hidden inside the beautiful construction of LE BHV Marais. This sun-lit cafe is the ideal place to grab a handcrafted coffee and toast with some avocado before hitting Le Marais streets. Or, for some incredible pastries, struck the Poilâne bakery. For their incredible rustic baguettes, croissants and chocolate pain, Poilâne is a family name in France.
Address: 3rd floor of LE BHV MARAIS, 52 Rue de Rivoli, 75004 Paris
Beat the museum crowds
First thing in the morning is the best time to visit any Paris museum. That’s when you can take your time without the crowds to enjoy the exhibitions. You can also take complete advantage of the picture possibilities and snap some beautiful pictures of the museum and its artwork. Le Marais is conveniently located within the Musée de Cognac-Jay, Musée de la Chasse et de la Nature and the Archives Nationales. The Cognac-Jay Museum has an incredible romantic art collection and is one of Paris ‘ free museums. The Musée de la Chasse et de la Nature features taxidermy animals and hunting artefacts, while the Archives Nationales is the best location in the globe to learn about French history.
Musée Cognac-Jay address: 8 Rue Elzevir, 75003 Paris
Musée de la Chasse et de la Nature address: 62 Rue des Archives, 75003 Paris
Archives Nationales address: 87 Rue Vieille du Temple, 75003 Paris
Visit the most historic corners of Le Marais
If you want to get the impression you’ve stepped back in time, create a trip to Place des Vosges, a wonderful place to watch people, which just happens to be Paris ‘ oldest square. You will also discover Maison Victor Hugo in Place des Vosges. Here you can wander through the apartment rented by Hugo from 1832 to 1848 and learn everything about the writer and his amazing life. There is also rue des Rosiers, a road that once stood in the core of the Jewish quarter of Paris.
Address: Place des Vosges, 75004 Paris
Shop for special souvenirs and fashions
Arty Dandy’s chic boutique is just a few steps away from Place des Vosges. Paris can drown you in a sea of concept shops, particularly Le Marais, but we like Arty Dandy best because of the shop’s always friendly and welcoming atmosphere. This is definitely a bonus in addition to their fantastic choice of European-brand products such as Bons Baisers de Paname flats, LIP watches, Acqua di Parma perfumes and Thierry Lasry sunglasses.
Arty Dandy is a good place to buy unique presents (for yourself or for a loved one back home)! There are so many stylish and special products in their boutique that suit every kind of budget. This concept store has everything from menswear to womenswear to home goods as well as cool tech products! Stocks are always updated weekly, so there’s something fresh to see at all times.
Arty Dandy Marais address: 46 Rue de Turenne, 75003 Paris
Arty Dandy Saint-Germain address: 1 Rue de Furstemberg, 75006 Paris
Lunch break: the best options in Le Marais
Marché des Enfants Rouges
Marché des Enfants Rouge is a famous eclectic food market whose name derives from the orphanage of the 16th century that used to occupy the site. Marché des Enfants Rouge has become one of the finest food outdoor markets in Paris since its inception in 2000. You will be able to sample your way through dozens of food stalls in Italy, Lebanon, Africa and Japan. The market also has a covered terrace where you can sit in an open, friendly environment with your meals and enjoy a drink.
Address: 39 rue de Bretagne, 75003 Paris
Eataly
At the newly opened Eataly Paris in Le Marais, eat, shop and learn everything about Italian cuisine. This dual restaurant and shop provides meals that Italy has to offer made from the finest quality ingredients. All local favourites include classic risotto, truffle ravioli and chicken pesto linguini. Eataly, a multi-purpose market, takes you on a delightful tour of Italian food history. If you’re planning shopping at LE BHV MARAIS, conveniently located next door, it’s a excellent dinner choice.
Address: 11 Square Sainte-Croix de la Bretonnerie, 75004 Paris
Café La Perle
Café La Perle is trendy Parisians ‘ favorite. This open-air cafe provides incredible coffee and delicious small-fare dishes to fulfill any culinary preferences. As you watch individuals, take a seat on the terrace and enjoy a sandwich and a craft beer. Located in the heart of Le Marais on rue Vieille du Temple, Café la Perle is the ideal spot to watch the upper set of Paris go about their day.
Address: 78 Rue Vieille du Temple, 75003 Paris
Le Pod
Le POD, the “Parisian Omnivore District,” is the outdoor food market of LE BHV MARAIS located in the core of Le Marais. In this super cool indoor market you can find crêpes, tacos, and Brazilian street food. Located at 14 rue du Temple, Le POD is a vibrant meeting place in the core of Le Marais where you can enjoy a culinary global trip! The market has various food stalls such as Onda serving Brazilian vegetarian food, Elo serving delicious gluten-free crêpes, Chilam serving delicious Mexican food. If you want something more exotic, Afrodisiac provides sub-Saharan African flavors.
Address: BHV MARAIS L’HOMME, 14 rue du temple, 75004 Paris
Open Monday to Sunday from 11:30 to 6:00pm.
Pasta Linea
Make your way to Pasta Linea for delightful handmade pasta produced with organic flour. Informal, genuine Italian food in the family style is yours to taste at this charming bistro in the corner. This small, unassuming restaurant features some of Paris ‘ finest Italian food. It’s well worth visiting with a complete gelato bar and an average meal cost of 10€.
Address: 9 Rue de Turenne, 75004 Paris
What to do in Le Marais at night?
Go for dinner
Dinner arrives after your rooftop apéro in real French fashion. In Le Marais, Chez Omar is a hidden jewel. In this comfortable restaurant you can dine in a vibrant environment with genuine Algerian-Moroccan food. For its excellent food and inexpensive rates, Chez Omar is popular among locals. The restaurant maintained the decor of the traditional French cafe, which used to occupy the building, rather than being renovated. Locals enjoy couscous and lamb meals and on any given night you will find the restaurant packed.
Address: 47 Rue de Bretagne, 75003 Paris
Enjoy the best cocktails in Paris
Go to one of the finest concealed cocktail bars in Paris after lunch, Candelaria. Candelaria is one of the first genuine Mexican taqueria in Paris, which also features a cocktail bar of world class. You’d believe you’d stumble into any ancient taco store when you enter Candelaria. But just after the kitchen is a uber-cool cocktail bar hidden behind a tiny door. Many call Candelaria one of Paris ‘ finest bars. And surprisingly, they have a pretty affordable menu.
Address: 52 Rue de Saintonge, 75003 Paris
Dance away that night
If you’re a dancing lover, Le Marais has just the room for you as well! Andy Wahloo is a fun cocktail bar inspired by Studio 58’s performers and influencers. The dance floor fills up as the evening advances and the night starts in complete swing. The bar keeps on hand a rotating cast of DJ’s so there’s always something fresh and enjoyable to be discovered here!
Address: 69 Rue des Gravilliers, 75003 Paris
Or watch a movie!
Luminor is a charming little theater in Le Marais that often has English movies on its list. The theater hosts Lost in Frenchlation every so often in addition to its frequent screenings. Lost in Frenchlation is an organisation devoted to screening a range of English subtitled French films to introduce non-French speakers to French art and culture. People come to the theater about an hour before the movie at their events to hang out and talk about a cocktail. Also often, Lost in Frenchlation receives known film directors to attend the event and answer audience questions. Make sure Lost’s event schedule is checked online in Frenchlation.
Address: 20 Rue du Temple, 75004 Paris
