culture
A Local Guide to Le Marais: What to See, Eat and Do
Place des Vosges, the Picasso and Carnavalet museums, and Sunday shopping, a neighbourhood guide to Le Marais across Paris’s 3rd and 4th arrondissements.
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How we reported this
Le Marais, straddling the 3rd and 4th arrondissements on the Right Bank, is one of the most rewarding districts to explore on foot. It escaped Baron Haussmann’s 19th-century rebuilding, so its medieval street plan and elegant 17th-century mansions (hôtels particuliers) survive largely intact, and many of its shops open on Sundays, when much of Paris is quiet.
Place des Vosges
Begin at Place des Vosges, the oldest planned square in Paris, completed in 1612. Its symmetrical rose-brick arcades enclose a formal garden, and the former home of Victor Hugo on the square is now a free museum.
Museums in Grand Mansions
The Marais has an unusually high concentration of museums, many set in restored mansions. The Musée Picasso holds one of the largest collections of the artist’s work, housed in the Hôtel Salé. The Musée Carnavalet, dedicated to the history of Paris itself, is free to visit for its permanent collection. Both are within a short walk of each other.
The Historic Jewish Quarter
Rue des Rosiers is the heart of the historic Jewish quarter, known for its bakeries and falafel counters. It is one of the liveliest streets in the area, particularly at weekends.
Shopping and Eating
The Marais mixes independent boutiques, design shops and galleries with cafes and wine bars. The covered Marché des Enfants Rouges, dating to the 17th century, is the oldest market in Paris and a good spot for lunch. Because many stores trade on Sundays, the district is a natural choice for a weekend afternoon.
Getting There
Useful metro stops include Saint-Paul, Hôtel de Ville and Rambuteau. For opening hours, several museums close on Mondays, and current exhibitions, check each venue’s official site and the City of Paris’s “Que Faire à Paris” listing before setting out.
Sources
This guide draws on the official tourist and city information services listed below. Opening hours and prices change seasonally, so confirm the latest details on each venue’s official website before you visit.