Known as one of the trendiest districts in the city, there are so many things to do in Le Marais, Paris. The district is the perfect blend of historic, quirky, and trendy — there’s something for everyone here.
The romantic cobblestone streets are lined with historic, aristocratic buildings dating back to the 16th century, yet in many of them you’ll find stylish boutiques, gay bars, art galleries, and posh restaurants. There’s a very communal feel to the district; it’s like a close-knit village.
Le Marais stretches across the 3rd and 4th arrondissements of Paris. The part in the 3rd arrondissement is known as Haut Marais (Upper Marais) and is known for having a quieter, more chill vibe.
The southern part (called South Marais or just Marais) tends to be livelier, with more varied neighborhoods, like the Jewish quarter. On your trip to Le Marais you’ll find yourself going back and forth between the two sections.
If you want a taste of what to do in Le Marais, read on for our top 16 picks that will leave you feeling like you experienced all of what the Marais district has to offer.
1. Explore Le Marais on foot
The best way to get around Le Marais is by walking. As it’s a historic district, it’s very walkable. Sunday is an especially great day to explore Le Marais, as some streets are closed to traffic. ()If you have a specific itinerary of places you want to visit, though, check if they’re closed on Sundays.
Ideally, Le Marais is a place you’ll dedicate at least a full day or two to. Though we’ll give you a rundown on the top attractions, it’s nice to just leisurely wander through the cobblestone streets and see what you stumble upon.
If you’d rather have some in-person guidance, you can also book a walking tour of Le Marais. These tours typically have a local guide who can show you the most popular attractions, as well as lesser-known ones.
2. Take a stroll through Place des Vosges
Commissioned by French royalty in the early 1600s, Place des Vosges is one of the oldest squares in Paris. It’s also one of the most beautiful!
Perfectly-trimmed trees surround the square, with benches and fountains peppered throughout. Plus, it’s one of the few parks in Paris where you’re allowed to sit on the grass, so it’s great for picnics.
A stroll or picnic at Place des Vosges sounds simple, but it really is one of the best things to do in Le Marais. It allows you take in both nature and history.
It also makes a great starting point or rest stop on your day in Le Marais. The well-manicured lawn is completely surrounded by red brick buildings that used to be the homes of nobility. Some are still homes, but many of them are now shops, eateries, and attractions.
3. Learn about Parisian history at the Musée Carnavalet
One of the attractions around Place des Vosges is the Musée Carnavalet (Carnavalet Museum). It’s often overshadowed by powerhouses like the Louvre and Musée d’Orsay, but it’s just as amazing.
The Musée Carnavalet is a historical museum, with many permanent and rotating exhibitions dedicated to Parisian history. There’s no entry fee for the permanent exhibitions, so it’s also one of the best free things to do in the Marais district.
History buffs will absolutely love a trip to the Musée Carnavalet, as you get a glimpse into both major events in France and daily Parisian life throughout history. There are also rooms decorated to fit different time periods in Paris.
Even if you’re not that into history or art, the museum is worth visiting even just for the location. The museum is housed in a pair of 16th-century mansions with a beautiful courtyard.
4. Marvel at the Hôtel de Ville
The Hôtel de Ville is hard to miss. This huge building is home to the Paris city council. The building itself is worth seeing, built in a stunning Renaissance Revival style. There’s a courtyard where you can relax, as well as murals dotted around.
The main attractions, however, are the events that are held year-round. A variety of fun and educational events are held in the square of the Hôtel de Ville, including free concerts throughout the year.
If you’re visiting Paris for the winter holidays, youll find that there are a lot of annual Christmas markets, including one at the Hôtel de Ville. Taking a visit to this event is definitely one of the best things to do in Le Marais in winter, especially if you have kids.
Fun (but also morbid) fact: the square where events, including the Christmas Market, are held in used to be a space for executions!
5. Shop (or window shop) til you drop!
Le Marais is known as a fashion haven, so of course one of the best things to do in the Marais district is to go shopping! There’s such a wide variety of options, from huge department stores to quaint boutiques to tucked-away thrift shops.
The main hub for shopping in Le Marais is BHV (Bazar de l’Hôtel de Ville). This is a department store chain, and the flagship store is directly opposite the Hôtel de Ville. All the top French brands can be found here.
Beyond Rue de Rivoli (where BHV is), pretty much every street in Le Marais has great shopping opportunities. Particularly great streets to stroll and shop (or window shop) are Rue des Rosiers, Rue du Temple, and Rue Vieille-du-Temple. You’ll find everything from worldwide brands like Uniqlo to French ones like Maje, plus small, local boutiques.
Also, in Paris you’ll find stores called “concept stores.” These stores offer highly-curated catalogs. Some may focus on one area, such as fashion, while others will have a wide variety of items, as well as eateries and even attractions!
Check out Merci, Le Marais’ most famous concept store — they have a bit of everything here, as well as a few cafés. Other good ones to explore are The Broken Arm, Fleux, Smallable, and Empreintes.
6. Appreciate the genius of Picasso at Musée Picasso
If you’re an art lover planning to visit Le Marais, Paris, you’re in luck. The world’s largest collection of Picasso pieces is located right here in Le Marais, in the Musée Picasso.
In his will, Pablo Picasso wrote that he wanted his works to be donated to France. It’s not surprising, since the Spanish artist spent most of his life here. The collection was also expanded by donations from the heirs of Picasso’s ex-wife, Jacqueline.
There are more than 5,000 pieces at the Musée Picasso, including paintings, sculptures, and books. There are also hundreds of thousands of archive items, consisting of Picasso’s personal papers, letters, and photos.
A visit to the Musée Picasso will let you see Picasso’s versatility and progression through different styles. The renowned artist co-founded the Cubist movement, as well as the collage technique.
7. Visit Centre Pompidou while you can
You could honestly spend a whole day at the Centre Pompidou (or Pompidou Centre). This huge complex houses several attractions, including a huge library and a music research institute, but the main one you should visit is the art museum.
The Musée National d’Art Moderne (National Museum of Modern Art) is the gem of the Pompidou Centre. It’s one of the biggest and most-visited art museums in the world, as well as the second-biggest modern art museum (after the Museum of Modern Art in New York).
The Musée National d’Art Moderne’s catalog of over 100,000 works represents contributions from thousands of artists from 90 different countries!
Visiting the Pompidou Centre is definitely one of the best things to do in Le Marais, Paris, especially in 2024. It will be your last chance to visit for a while; the center will be closed for five years from 2025 to 2030 for massive renovations.
8. Be enchanted by Église Saint-Paul-Saint-Louis
Delight your eyes and ears with a visit to the Église Saint-Paul-Saint-Louis, a Baroque-style church built in the 17th century. It’s truly a feast for the eyes, with its pastel colors and delicate details.
It’s nice to visit during a church service to hear the choir, or you can visit when there’s a classical concert going on.
Though the three-tiered facade and its clock are beautiful on their own, don’t just stand around outside. The inside is even more stunning, especially the huge dome that allows light to filter into the building. Among the impressive architecture inside, you’ll also find a famous painting by Eugène Delacroix: Christ in the Garden of Olives.
9. Recharge at Marché des Enfants Rouges
Foodies, this is one of the top things for you to do in Le Marais, Paris. Marché des Enfants Rouges is a covered market with plenty of stalls selling produce, street food, flowers, and more.
Whatever cuisine you’re craving — French, Italian, Japanese, Lebanese, Thai, Caribbean — you’ll probably find a stall dedicated to it here. There are tables around the market, so you can sit and enjoy a relaxed meal.
Marché des Enfants Rouges has been around for more than 400 years and is still the busiest market in the district. On especially busy days (like the weekend), the stalls fill the covered space completely and spill out into the nearby area. If you want to avoid crowds, it’s better to go earlier in the day, like for breakfast or brunch.
10. Visit the Maison de Victor Hugo
While at Place des Vosges, set aside a bit of time to visit Maison de Victor Hugo, the former home of French writer Victor Hugo. Even if his name is not immediately recognisable, his novels definitely are: Les Misérables and The Hunchback of Notre Dame.
The house, in the southeast corner of the Place des Vosges, is now a museum dedicated to the writer. It’s a small space, so there’s not a whole lot to see, but the rooms and wonderfully decorated. Plus, it’s free to enter.
The museum also has a romantic courtyard and houses a café, Café Mulot. It’s a great brunch spot, with a variety of sandwiches, salads,and classic French pastries.
11. Venture into the jungle of Musée de la Chasse et de la Nature
Want to experience something a bit more off the beaten track? Then a visit to the Musée de la Chasse et de la Nature is one of the top things to do in the Marais district.
Known in English as the Museum of Hunting and Nature, this museum houses an eclectic mix of 5,000+ art pieces (both contemporary and historical) that represent “the relationship between man and animal.”
The theme is especially seen in the permanent collections, which include various sculptures, tapestries, ceramics, and weapons, as well as literal animals in the form of taxidermies and skeletons. A bit more liberty is allowed in the temporary collections, but they’re just as exciting.
If you like taxidermy, antique guns, and weird art — or if you just have an appreciation for more offbeat artistic pursuits — this specialty museum is the place for you.
12. Go shopping and eat falafels on Rue des Rosiers
Rue des Rosiers is a fashionable street that’s home to some of the best eateries, shops, and attractions in the Marais district. It’s historically been part of the district’s Jewish quarter.
The area has become quite gentrified, but you’ll still find the Jewish heritage of the area reflected all around, especially when it comes to food.
Falafel (though not explicitly Jewish, it’s popular as an Israeli street food) is an extremely well-loved street food in Paris. The best of them are found in Le Marais, particularly on Rue des Rosiers, including the popular l’As du Falafel.
You’ll also find a lot of Yiddish bakeries here. Keep in mind that a lot of the eateries on Rue des Rosiers, as they have Jewish roots, will be closed on Friday nights and Saturdays.
As for shopping, you’ll find a wide variety of shops here, from budget establishments to high-fashion boutiques.
13. Go bar-hopping in Le Marais
Le Marais is known for having a lively bar scene, so of course one of the top things to do in Le Marais is to go bar-hopping! Many of the bars here are frequented by locals and tourists alike.
There’s something for everyone here. If you like craft beer, check out Brewdog Marais. If you want to experience a real unassuming local hangout, head over to Le Saint-Gervais. For an exquisite wine list and cocktails, try Le Mary Celeste.
Le Marais has a lot of gay bars, and the district as a whole is very LGBTQ-friendly. Some popular spots include COX and Raidd Bar. There are also lesbian bars — which are rare! — like Mutinerie and Bar’ouf.
14. Hunt for antiques and treasures at Village Saint-Paul
Just when you think you’ve seen all Le Marais has to offer, more unique spots pop up. One such place is Village St-Paul.
Village St-Paul is a cluster of historic buildings nestled behind a church on a quiet street. It looks pretty unassuming from the outside, but step in and you’ll find a maze-like courtyard connecting antique dealers, restaurants, bars, and galleries.
Of course, the main attractions here are the antique dealers and various shops selling oddities and curios. If you’re into weird, vintage finds, this is the place for you. Many of the shop owners are enthusiastic about their wares, which may range from the Middle Ages all the way to today!
Village St-Paul makes for a great place to just leisurely explore. It doesn’t tend to get too crowded — it’s a true hidden gem. Even within the complex, there are nooks you might miss, so be sure to check the map at the entrance.
15. See history firsthand at l’Hôtel de Sens
Another unexpectedly offbeat attraction in Le Marais is l’Hôtel de Sens. This castle-like mansion was built all the way back in the 14th century as a home for archbishops. The building was destroyed but then rebuilt sometime during the 15th and 16th centuries.
Over time, even the new building fell into disrepair but it thankfully became protected as a heritage site and then restored in the 1930s.
One aspect that wasn’t restored is a relic from the Trois Glorieuses. During these “Three Glorious Days” during the Second French Revolution of 1830, street fights broke out throughout Paris. These weren’t ordinary street fights — there were cannons! In fact, there’s a cannonball wedged into the facade of l’Hôtel de Sens from this very time.
As you can see, when it comes to what to do in Le Marais, history is at the forefront. Visit to see the cannonball for yourself, as well as to take a look at the books in the Forney Library.
This library inside the mansion is dedicated to books about art, from fine art and fashion to graphics/advertising and interior design. You’ll also find plenty of art prints and wallpaper samples here.
16. Take a stroll through Rue de Bretagne
We’ve already mentioned Rue des Rosiers, but there’s another must-visit street in Le Marais for foodies. It’s the popular Rue de Bretagne. This trendy street is home to Marché des Enfants Rouges, but there’s much more to see.
As you walk along the cobblestone streets, admire the neighborhood’s rich architectural heritage and keep your eye out for iconic historical landmarks like Sainte-Elisabeth Church.
Many of the food places on Rue de Bretagne are concentrated within Marché des Enfants Rouges, but there are some great options, many of them French, all throughout the street. For a cup of coffee or a glass of wine, try Café Charlot, a traditional French café.
A short walk from Cafe Charlot is Square du Temple. It’s a gorgeous English-style garden that’s great for catching your breath. If you’re visiting Le Marais with kids, there’s a play area here.
Whatever you’re looking for on your trip to Paris — family-friendly hangouts, historical landmarks, lively bars, or trendy boutiques — Le Marais has it all.
Though we’ve compiled a list of the top things to do in Le Marais, don’t be afraid to just wander around and experience the magic this district has to offer.
