Le Marais is the lively and modern district of Paris: the place to be. Centered around the Halles market and Pompidou center, also called Beaubourg Modern Art Museum, the Marais offers many art galleries, cafés, shops and lovely streets perfect to wander through this mixed neighborhood. On the eastern side, you will discover beautiful private mansions, some transformed into art galleries, the Jewish quarter with delicious restaurants.

The Pompidou center is the French equivalent to MoMA. The modern and controverted building is a blend of glass, colors and pipes, it offers a magnificent view of the city from its top.

On the side of the Pompidou center, on Igor Stravinsky square, colorful and harmonious fountains, full of kids playing into the water in summer, is a delight for the eyes. They were designed by the famous Niki St Phalle and Jean Tinguely.

In summertime, there is always some street art going on in this area. 

Beaubourg modern art museum in paris

Beaubourg Modern Art Museum esplanade


The numerous designers of the Marais are known for their avant-garde collections. While strolling the great shops of Le Marais district, you might find some hidden jewels you may be tempted to bring back home.

Les Halles have always been the main food market in Paris: it became a very bad neighborhood in the 90’s and was entirely renovated very lately. The new roof architecture is quite controversial – we let you judge of it. For cheaper shopping, you may head to rue de Saint Denis.

For some nice food shopping, we advise you to go to rue Montorgueil (Sentier metro stop).

rue montorgueil terrace paris

Food shopping or nice terraces, rue Montorgueil


Le Marais district stretches East to the Bastille square and on the way, you should not miss the gorgeous and unique architecture of Place des Voges.

Historically, Le Marais is Paris Jewish district and Rue des Rosiers remains the heart of it with its synagogue and typical restaurants: the most famous is l’As du Fallafel for which you may have to be patient to be served as it is a very busy place. For a nice snack, in a quieter ambiance, you may enjoy a tea & cake at Le Loir dans la Théière.

Art lovers will also enjoy the renovated Picasso Museum and its 4600 artworks.

Eventually, Paris City Hall is along Le Marais district south-west border: this is an impressive monument which you should stop for a minute and look at. Next to it, shopping lovers will enjoy the BHV (Bazar de l’Hotel de Ville). This is a Grand Magasin like Printemps or Galleries Lafayette but we like it better for its Eiffel architecture and the little less tourist crowds than in the Boulevard Haussman’s grands magasins.

BHV grand magasin in le marais paris

BHV Grand Magasin couple and Paris City Hall on the right

Our Travelers’ Reviews

Shelley & Andy
We feel lucky that we found Emilie online! Usually, we like to plan our own trips, but we did not have the language capabilities or confidence to plan this vacation alone. Emilie to the rescue! She listened to our concerns and wishes and planned the perfect trip. Loved the small boutique hotel in the perfect part of Paris, and all the bed and …
Michael
My wife and I are fairly seasoned travelers so when we decided to include a trip to France in our year long 50th Anniversary Celebration we wanted to do something different. We looked at group travel companies including those who specialize in "small" groups. None of them had the flavor we were looking for. In my search for somethin new I happened …
Robert
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Our Travelers’ Photos

Diana & Michael
A glass of wine in the Provence vineyards, what else ?
Harry & Caroline
From Australia
Wine & Cheese Tasting
Judy & Chris
From Great Britain
In a winery in Provence
The Rimlinger Family
from Australia
Came to find out about their French ancestors
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From Canada
Visiting a wine cellar
Kathy & Mark
from the US
Truffle Hunting in Provence
Greg, Laurie, Laura & Jeff
From the US
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Trea & Anna
From the US
In a little town in Provence
Fred
from Canada
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from Canada
In Honfleur, Normandy
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From the US
At the hotel in Lyon

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