Visiting Le Marais: a journey to the heart of historic and trendy Paris

The Marais district is a unique place that attracts many visitors, both tourists and locals, every year. It offers a multitude of activities and cultural, gastronomic and artistic discoveries. Join us as we delve into the history of the capital's most fashionable district.

The Marais owes its name to its past form. Indeed, like a large part of the current downtown Paris, the area was a vast swamp, and when urbanization began, the area was occupied by market gardeners. A double etymology that reminds us of the existence of Paris for more than two millennia.

During the 16th and 17th centuries, numerous private mansions were built in the Marais, a neighborhood that became popular with the bourgeoisie. The Kingdom also took an interest in this new district and constructed the Place Royale, the first of its kind in Paris, at the very beginning of the 17th century. From then on, the district continued to develop. It was, in fact, one of the only neighborhoods "spared" by the major Haussmann transformations of the mid-19th century. In the 1960s, the district was the subject of a major restoration and preservation plan launched by the Ministry of Culture.

Today, walking through the Marais means strolling through streets full of charm, visiting numerous private mansions, entering designer boutiques, and stopping in the capital's trendiest bars. A "Gay friendly" neighborhood before its time, the Marais remains the place where you will find the largest number of LGBT addresses.

• In the heart of the French capital, the Marais is a veritable melting pot of culture, history and trends. This historic district is packed with places not to be missed, such as :
  • Place des Vosges, created in 1604 on the initiative of King Henry IV, is the first royal square in Paris. This is also the name it bore until the Revolution. Even today, it has retained its original state (facades of bricks, stones and tiles), sublime and striking! Among the many private mansions on the square, you can visit (for free!), Victor Hugo's House as well as the Renaissance courtyard of the Hôtel de Sully.
  • The Carnavalet Museum or Museum of the History of Paris, is housed in a 16th century mansion. Inside, the permanent collection will take you on a journey through the most beautiful city in the world through the centuries; from the first inhabitants, the Parisi, who settled on the Île de la Cité in 250 BC, to the present day. It’s magnificent, exciting and free!
  • The Archives Museum, housed in the former Hôtel de Soubise, is a gem! Like all the other museums belonging to the City of Paris, this museum is free. So if the history of archives doesn’t enchant you, go there to visit the Rococo-style salons and apartments dating from the first half of the 18th century. A real castle in the heart of Paris!
  • The Picasso Museum Paris: is also housed in a private mansion dating from the 17th century and not the least spectacular. So even if you are tired of visiting Picasso museums around the world, go there for the beauty of the site. Let's remember that Picasso lived in Paris, and in particular in Montmartre, for about ten years at the very beginning of the 20th century. He is practically French!
  • The old Jewish quarter and Rue des Rosiers: historically, the Jewish community settled in this district of Paris. Today, there are still many Jewish restaurants, shops and bakeries. Not far away, on Rue Pavée, you can admire the astonishing Art Nouveau synagogue, designed by the architect Hector Guimard (the creator of the metro entrances!).

  The list is far from exhaustive because there are countless remarkable sites and museums in the Marais district. Let us mention, however, the town hall and square, the Philippe Auguste enclosure wall, the George Pompidou Center, the Protestant Temple or the Hôtel des Archevêques de Sens. The Marais deserves to be explored! As there are so many possible circuits, it may be interesting to hire a guide for a complete tour of this preserved district of the capital.

Each year, during the European Heritage Days, the Marais district in Paris opens its doors wide to allow visitors to discover its architectural and cultural treasures. The 4th arrondissement actively participates in this event, with about twenty places accessible to the public, such as libraries, churches, and private mansions.

Our advice: Every Sunday, some streets in the district are made pedestrian-only, perfect for a day of visiting on foot or by bike!

A visit to the Marais is a must for anyone wishing to discover Paris's cultural treasures. In this fashionable district, there's something for everyone and at every price. So don't hesitate and let yourself be tempted by a trip to one of these emblematic places!