Things to do in the Marais

One of the oldest planned squares in Paris and an absolute vision of fairytale formal gardens, elegant red-brick townhouses, and atmospheric arcades, Place des Vosges is as good a spot as any to kick off your exploration of the magical Marais neighborhood. 

Go full Paris decadence at the elegant Carette tea room beneath the arcades, or simply grab an espresso and a bag of sweet sugary chouquettes from the closest boulangerie and watch the world go by from underneath the square’s lofty linden trees. Place des Vosges is also a fine spot in which to leaf idly through the pages of Victor Hugo classic the Hunchback of Notre-Dame – the 19th-century author lived here on the square for much of the 1830s and 40s and you can visit his former apartments for free.

The Gothic masterpiece that is Notre-Dame requires little introduction. Stroll across the elegant Pont Neuf to its Île de la Cité home where the world’s most romantic cathedral – all swoonsome stained-glass, soaring pires and charismatic chimeras – is joined by several more must-see Marais attractions. 

We’re talking the medieval majesty of Saint-Chapelle, with vibrant stained-glass windows that rival its island neighbor; the Conciergerie, where Marie Antoinette was imprisoned in the final days before her execution; and the extraordinary Marché aux Fleurs et aux Oiseaux – a colorful, fragrant flower market during the week that morphs into a colorful, fragrant bird market on weekends. 

Read our guide to visiting Notre-Dame Cathedral here.

New to Paris? Guided walking tours can be a great way to really get under the skin of its most interesting neighborhoods. You can take a walking tour of Montmartre, of Saint-Germain-des-Prés, of the Latin Quarter, of the city’s atmospheric Victorian shopping arcades and, of course, of the Marais. 

As well as pointing out Marais big-hitters like Notre-Dame and the Place des Vosges, your expert guide will also show you where to find the finest retro fashions and most delicate mille-feuilles, as well as lesser-spotted Marais sightseeing highlights including the storybook buildings and colorful rose bushes along historic Rue des Rosiers and the eye-popping sculptures in the whimsical Stravinsky Fountain.

Pro-tip: you can save up to 50% on Paris attractions with a Paris Pass, which includes several guided walking tours, plus entry to dozens more Marais and Paris bucket-listers. Find out more about the Paris Pass and get yours here.

Tucked away down Rue de Thorigny in the Hotel Salé, the magnificent Musée National Picasso-Paris houses a collection of some 5,000+ paintings, sculptures, sketches, ceramics, engravings and more by the father of Cubism. Step inside this historic 17th-century mansion to discover four floors of Picasso masterpieces, including landmark Blue Period works like La Celestina and his 1901 Self-Portrait and influential Cubist pieces including Les Demoiselles d'Avignon and Man with Mandolin. These key works are complemented by later works depicting harrowing scenes from the Spanish Civil War, as well as late-period sculptures including Picasso’s revolutionary steel cut-outs from the 1960s.

Top tip: you’ll find some of the finest souvenirs in Paris in the Picasso Museum gift shop.

Is Paris the gastronomy capital of the world? Probably. It certainly feels that way in the Marais, where diverse culinary offerings abound, and the chances of having a bad meal are vanishingly slim. Although vanishingly slim is something you definitely won’t be after accepting that third helping of bottomless chocolate mousse – a signature of Marais stalwart La Janou. Or scoffing your seventh buttery Breton galette and sixth glass of cider at the popular Breizh Café.

The queues outside the legendary L’As du Fallafel in the Jewish district should tell you everything you need to know about the quality of the famous falafel sandwiches found within. Meanwhile the Marché des Enfants Rouge, a covered market that dates back to the 16th-century, is where its at for some of the best international street food in the city. 

Rounding out this foodie paradise are the neighborhood’s elegant patisseries. Try local faves Au Petit Versailles and Manteigaria for your French tart and fancy fix.

The Marais’ Jewish neighborhood, aka the Pletzl, is one of Paris’s must-visit districts. Stroll the picturesque Rue des Rosiers, a colorful jumble of Jewish bookshops, tiny synagogues, kosher boulangeries and Jewish-style restaurants that’s pure eye candy for your Insta feed. Don’t miss the striking Art Nouveau orthodox synagogue on Rue Pavée, and hit up the nearby Museum of Jewish Art & History to ogle religious objets d’art, textiles, silverware and manuscripts, many of which date back to the Middle Ages.

The remarkable Centre Pompidou is the largest museum of modern art in Europe, with six floors of world-famous works from – to name just a few – Magritte, Matisse, Miró, Kahlo, Pollock, Picasso, Sherman and Warhol. And that’s just for starters. Designed by renowned architects Renzo Piano and Richard Rogers, the Pompidou is itself something of a piece of modern art, with a bold ‘inside-out’ design that sees pipework and air ducts exposed on the building’s exterior rather than concealed inside. Ride the external escalator for the best close-up views of this architectural marvel and don’t miss highlights that include Frida Kahlo’s 19838 self-portrait entitled The Frame, and Marcel DuChamp’s upturned urinal, aka ‘Fontaine’.

The Marais is a shoppers' paradise, with a pot-pourri of vintage stores, ultra-chic boutiques and cool concept shops. Make a beeline for Rue des Francs-Bourgeois for the neighborhood’s highest concentration of fashion boutiques, jewelers and gift stores. Souvenirs duly obtained, take your pick from the dozens of cute Marais pavement cafés in which to ease weary feet, sip strong espressos, and watch the world go by. 

Looking for more things to do in the Marais district and around Paris? The Paris Pass has you covered, with more than 90+ top Paris attractions, tours and activities you can choose from, and potential savings of up to 50% on regular ticket prices. Hit the buttons below to find out more and choose your pass.