Le Marais is one of the best neighbourhoods to visit in Paris, with charming medieval streets, dozens of independent boutiques and vintage stores, and a vibrant, village-like atmosphere. Le Marais is one of the coolest neighbourhoods in Paris, home to some of the city’s best designers and shopping. The best things to do in Le Marais include some beautiful historic sights like Place des Vosges, Marche aux Enfants Rouge and Eglise Saint-Paul Saint-Louis. Museums & galleries in Le Marais include Centre Pompidou, Musee National Picasso and Musee Carnavalet. I hope you find this Le Marais guide helpful for planning your trip to Paris!
Le Marais is one of my favourite neighbourhoods in Paris, and one I’ve visited many times – I always love returning to this neighbourhood!
What is Le Marais known for?
Le Marais is Paris’ Jewish quarter, and is known for its excellent bagels and falafel. Le Marais is also known for its medieval charm, as it escaped Haussman’s wide neoclassical boulevards that can be found all over the city. Le Marais has been the home to many of Paris’ literary greats, including Victor Hugo and Colette.
Where is Le Marais in Paris?
Le Marais is a neighbourhood in Paris on the right bank, roughly corresponding to the 3rd and 4th arrondissement. The main streets in Le Marais are Rue St Antoine, Rue Saint Paul and Rue Vielle du Temple.
What are the best to do in Le Marais?
The best thing to do in Le Marais is simply to wander through this charming neighbourhood. Steer yourself in the direction of Rue St Antoine, Village Saint Paul and Place des Vosges, or towards Merci Paris for shopping.
Shopping in Le Marais
Le Marais is known for excellent shopping, from grand department store BHV to chic, multi-floor concept store Merci, to French designers like APC, Sandra, Maje and Zadig & Voltaire and small boutiques. Fragonard is a great spot for French fragrances, and Diptyque is a classic spot for luxury candles. There are lots of small jewellery boutiques in Le Marais, which is perfect for travellers as jewellery is such a perfect souvenir. For antiques, browse in the Village Saint-Paul.
Place des Vosges
The Place des Vosges is one of the most beautiful places in Paris. The 16th century square is one of the oldest squares in Paris, and was built by Henry IV. The perfectly symmetrical square is made up of a series of lawns, dotted with beautiful fountains and fringed with trees. Place des Vosges is surrounded by elegant townhouses, and arcades that frame the square with restaurants, art galleries and boutiques. Legendary French author Victor Hugo once lived in one of these townhouses! Place des Vosges is one of the best places for a picnic in Paris. I like to buy some fresh fruit, cheese and bread or a pastry along nearby Rue St Antoine, and bring to the Place des Vosges.
Centre Pompidou
Centre Pompidou is Paris’ modern and contemporary art museum, which is just as famous for its controversial architecture as it is for its prized art collection. Designed by architects Renzo Piano and Richard Rogers in the 1970s, the Centre Pompidou is designed to embody the workings of the human heart. Inside, you’ll find the works of Picasso, Klee, David Hockney, Andy Warhol and Philippe Starck to name a few. Get in quick, as the Pompidou will close for major renovations from 2025-2030.
Rue St Antoine
Beautiful Rue St Antoine is the bustling centre of Le Marais. It’s almost always busy, but it’s lined with historic buildings and plenty of lovely cafes, fresh fruit markets and Laurent Dubois, an excellent fromagerie worth a detour.
Breizh Crepe Cafe
Crepes come from Brittany, but the best crepes in Paris can be found at Breizh, which make crepes in the traditional Bretagne style.
Marche aux Enfants Rouge
Marche aux Enfants Rouge in Le Marais is the oldest covered market in Paris. More than 400 years old, the market was named for the nearby (former) orphanage, Hospices des Enfants Rouge. The market was built in 1615 by Louis XIII to supply food to the neighbourhood, and today it remains an excellent spot to find a bite to eat at one of the many vendors.
Eglise Saint-Paul Saint-Louis
Eglise Saint-Paul Saint-Louis is truly one of Paris’ most underrated gems. Located on bustling Rue Saint Antoine, the church is astonishingly calm and peaceful, given its popular location and the beauty within. Commissioned by King Louis XIII in 1641, the Eglise Saint-Paul Saint-Louis is the first church in Paris to break away from the Gothic style, and embrace the Baroque. The magnificent interiors are a sight on their own, as well as holding a number of significant paintings and sculptures, including a statue of Saint Genevieve, the patron saint of Paris, Jean d’Arc and the painting Christ in the Garden of Olives by Delacroix (currently on loan to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, but replaced by a convincing copy as placeholder).
Hotel de Sully
The elegant Hotel de Sully was built in the 17th century, and is complete with gardens and an orangerie. While you can’t go inside, you can make a quick detour off Rue St Antoine to admire the courtyard, and a few moments of quiet away from the hustle and bustle.
Musee National Picasso
Visit Musee National Picasso in Le Marais to find the world’s largest collection of Picasso’s artworks, including paintings, sculptures, poetry and photography, along with some love letters.
Musee Carnavalet
History lovers will love the quirky Musee Carnavalet, an eccentric mansion showcasing the history of Paris. Access to the permanent galleries is free.
Near Le Marais
Le Marais is surrounded by the 2nd, 10th, 11th & 12th arrondissements. Le Marais borders on the Seine, and just across the river is the Latin Quarter, the 5th arrondissement. I recommend exploring the beautiful and under-the-radar 2nd arrondissement or crossing the river to explore the romantic Latin Quarter.