Walk in the Marais district in Paris

A visit to discover the multiple facets of the Marais in the center of Paris. All visits are free!

The Marais is a district located in the heart of Paris. As its name indicates, the place was once a marshy area. Today it has changed a lot and we can see the different stages of its development over the centuries. The district was once the district of the nobility who built sumptuous mansions such as the Hôtel de Lamoignon. The Marais then underwent important changes and was for a long time unhealthy. In the 20th century the district welcomed a strong Jewish community. Nowadays it is one of the centers of the homosexual community of Paris. All this makes the visit very interesting, one passes quickly from the past to the modernity. It should be noted that the district is pedestrian on the weekend, there are many small stores open and the affluence can be important in the small streets of the Marais. Don't hesitate to visit this district, a mixture of many influences.

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Difficulty: difficulty
Duration: 3 h.
Departure point (Google Maps)

The place des Vosges

The place des Vosges
The Place des Vosges, formerly Place Royale, was named after the first French department to pay taxes. All the buildings around the central square are built with the same architectural plan. Afterwards you can find it beautiful or very monotonous, it depends on your taste. To see.

Under the arcades of the Place des Vosges

Under the arcades of the Place des Vosges
The visit of the Place des Vosges is quite quick, there is not much to see under the arcades only some typical Parisian stores and cafés. You can visit the house of Victor Hugo (the entrance is free).

A typical restaurant

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A typical restaurant
The Marais is a very touristic area, you can find many cafés and restaurants that make the identity of Paris.

The entrance to the Carnavalet museum

The entrance to the Carnavalet museum
The Carnavalet Museum is a museum dedicated to the history of Paris. It's not the most famous museum in Paris but it's a must to visit, and the entrance for the permanent collections is free every day of the year. The renovation is finally finished (5 years!). The museum has been rejuvenated but the collections have not changed.

A painting in the Carnavalet museum

A painting in the Carnavalet museum
If, like me, the Louvre museum doesn't appeal to you because of an overabundance of paintings of mythological scenes, Pietà or Saint Sebastian pierced by a hundred arrows, consider visiting the Carnavalet museum. The names of the painters are not very prestigious but the paintings are splendid! The painting on the picture is by Auguste Toulmouche, it is entitled "Rose Caron".

Hotel de Lamoignon

Hotel de Lamoignon
There are a lot of private mansions in the Marais, you just have to walk in the small streets and be attentive to see them.

Le restaurant Goldenberg

Le restaurant Goldenberg
The restaurant is remembered for an unfortunate event: the attack on Rue des Rosiers that killed 6 people in 1982. A grenade was thrown into the restaurant. Today, although it has kept its exterior, it is no longer a restaurant but a clothing store. A plaque commemorates the attack.

Florence Kahn's store

Florence Kahn's store
The installation of a Jewish community in the Marais is very old and goes back to the Middle Ages. This community still exists and remains active in the neighborhood. You can see stores specialized in Yiddish products like Florence Kahn's store. Be careful if you want to discover these excellent culinary products the prices are in the high end of the Parisian range.

Sacha Finkelsztajn "The Yellow Shop

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Sacha Finkelsztajn "The Yellow Shop
Another store specializing in Eastern European pastries with the famous stroudel available in many variations.

A street in the Marais

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A street in the Marais
The area is pedestrianized on weekends, there are many small stores open on Sundays and it is very pleasant to walk in these small streets. It can be very busy on Sunday afternoon.

Arrival at the City Hall

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Arrival at the City Hall
The visit can end at the City Hall. In the distance on the picture you can see Notre-Dame de Paris. Paris is a small city where you can visit everything on foot. You just have to take your time.

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