Le Marais is the lively and modern district of Paris: the place to be. Centered around the Halles market and Pompidou center, also called Beaubourg Modern Art Museum, the Marais offers many art galleries, cafés, shops and lovely streets perfect to wander through this mixed neighborhood. On the eastern side, you will discover beautiful private mansions, some transformed into art galleries, the Jewish quarter with delicious restaurants.

The Pompidou center is the French equivalent to MoMA. The modern and controverted building is a blend of glass, colors and pipes, it offers a magnificent view of the city from its top.

On the side of the Pompidou center, on Igor Stravinsky square, colorful and harmonious fountains, full of kids playing into the water in summer, is a delight for the eyes. They were designed by the famous Niki St Phalle and Jean Tinguely.

In summertime, there is always some street art going on in this area. 

Beaubourg modern art museum in paris

Beaubourg Modern Art Museum esplanade


The numerous designers of the Marais are known for their avant-garde collections. While strolling the great shops of Le Marais district, you might find some hidden jewels you may be tempted to bring back home.

Les Halles have always been the main food market in Paris: it became a very bad neighborhood in the 90’s and was entirely renovated very lately. The new roof architecture is quite controversial – we let you judge of it. For cheaper shopping, you may head to rue de Saint Denis.

For some nice food shopping, we advise you to go to rue Montorgueil (Sentier metro stop).

rue montorgueil terrace paris

Food shopping or nice terraces, rue Montorgueil


Le Marais district stretches East to the Bastille square and on the way, you should not miss the gorgeous and unique architecture of Place des Voges.

Historically, Le Marais is Paris Jewish district and Rue des Rosiers remains the heart of it with its synagogue and typical restaurants: the most famous is l’As du Fallafel for which you may have to be patient to be served as it is a very busy place. For a nice snack, in a quieter ambiance, you may enjoy a tea & cake at Le Loir dans la Théière.

Art lovers will also enjoy the renovated Picasso Museum and its 4600 artworks.

Eventually, Paris City Hall is along Le Marais district south-west border: this is an impressive monument which you should stop for a minute and look at. Next to it, shopping lovers will enjoy the BHV (Bazar de l’Hotel de Ville). This is a Grand Magasin like Printemps or Galleries Lafayette but we like it better for its Eiffel architecture and the little less tourist crowds than in the Boulevard Haussman’s grands magasins.

BHV grand magasin in le marais paris

BHV Grand Magasin couple and Paris City Hall on the right

Our Travelers’ Reviews

Jill & Jerry from the US
The team at FJFY arranged everything for our 3 week trip to southern France. From car rental, train tickets, activities and wonderful accommodations they arranged it all. Stress free traveling! The spiral bound guide book and FJFY app gave us so much information on each area including activities and restaurant recommendations. The B & Bs were all …
Gabriele
This trip was such an awesome cultural adventure and we can not say enough about Emilie and France Just for You. This service was outstanding, well planned according to our interests and the B&B's were all wonderful. Each B&B was different but all fantastic in their own way. The suggestions Emilie made all worked amazingly well and so did the …
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Our Travelers’ Photos

Peter
from Canada
Truffle Hunting in Dordogne
Theresa & Bill
From the US
Between the vineyards & the lavenders in Provence
Ginette, Craig, Bev & Dan
from the US
Visiting a winery in Provence
Harry
From Australia
In the War Cemetery in Normandy
Patty
from the US
In Villeneuve les Avignon, Provence
Elizabeth
From Canada
At her B&B in Normandy
Carol & Mike
from the US
In Pont du Gard roman bridge in Provence
Shirley & Bob
from the US
After a concert in Paris
Fred
from Canada
Truffle hunting in Burgundy with Thierry
Naomi
From the US
In Villandry gardens in the Loire Valley
Lorelea, Teresa, Diane & Chris
From the US
With their hostess in Lille, Northern France
Linda
From Australia
Celebrating her 40th birthday in the Loire Valley