24 hours in the Marais – The essential places to visit

Le Marais is lucky: it's a neighborhood on the water's edge. However, a walk along the Seine is one of the best ways to approach Paris. You can walk there at any time, but why not start the day there, starting on theSaint Louis Island, the smaller of the two Parisian islands. There, the view of Notre-Dame is unique.

Then we cross the Louis-Philippe bridge to head towards Rue Saint-Antoine, where we must go inside the Church of Saint-Paul Saint-Louis. The composer Marc-Antoine Charpentier (who died in 1704) was the music master there, and five priests were murdered during the French Revolution. Inside, you can admire Christ in Agony in the Garden of Olives, a painting from 1827 by Eugène Delacroix.

With its perfect proportions, the Place des Vosges is considered one of the five most beautiful squares in Paris – alongside the Place Vendôme, the Place de la Concorde, the Place Charles de Gaulle-Étoile, and the Place Dauphine. The best way to access it is via 52 Rue Saint-Antoine: you must cross the two courtyards and enter through the small gate at the back of the second garden.

Dating back to 1612, the Place des Vosges was inaugurated to celebrate the betrothal of King Louis XIII to Anne of Austria. It was then called Place Royale but changed its name under Napoleon. Tree-lined and surrounded by art galleries, cafés, and restaurants, it is a symbol of the Marais district and a must-see. The writer Victor Hugo , author of Les Misérables and Notre-Dame de Paris, lived there. His house is now a museum.

From the Place des Vosges, take the Rue de Franc-Bourgeois, lined with numerous shops perfect for shopping. Then head towards the Rue des Rosiers, the heart of the historic Jewish quarter . Several restaurants, pastry shops, and caterers perpetuate the culinary traditions of Central Europe and North Africa, notably with falafel.

Cross this thoroughfare from east to west, then turn right onto Rue Vieille-du-Temple, heading north. At number 99, admire the rear façade of the magnificent 17th-century mansion that now houses the Picasso Museum. Continue uphill towards Rue de Bretagne, where you'll find the famous and picturesque Marché des Enfants-Rouges (Red Children's Market ).

The oldest covered market in Paris (established in 1615) almost met its end in the 1980s because the mayor of Paris wanted to replace it with a parking lot! Fortunately, the mobilization of the residents saved this market, which takes its name from an orphanage (closed 250 years ago) whose residents wore a red uniform.

Lively and popular, it is home to around fifteen more or less expensive restaurants, all of quality. There are plenty of choices between French, Italian, Japanese, Afro-Caribbean, Moroccan, Lebanese cuisine and even hamburger and sandwich restaurants, not forgetting the wine bars. To find a seat, it is best to arrive early, around 12 p.m. The rue de Bretagne next door is also home to many Parisian cafes.

A fashionista district, the Marais has dozens of “second hand” clothing stores. You can find pretty pieces by French designers (Courrèges, Dior, Chanel, YSL, etc.) but also what you need to build a wardrobe at affordable prices. It's all about having an eye! Le Marais is also a district of independent and modern jewelers with a multitude of creators from major houses: they too feel good in this district steeped in art and history.

It's impossible to visit the Marais without stepping into an art gallery . The Marais boasts around a hundred of them. Just like the clothing stores, jewelers, or Parisian cafés, they're an integral part of the landscape. Visit a few: it only takes a few minutes each time and gives you a good overview of contemporary art.

It's time to indulge in one of Parisians' favorite activities: sitting on the terrace of a café to watch people go by while chatting over a drink. It’s the perfect time for socialization. You can easily talk to your neighbors at the table and meet people.

The French generally sit down to eat around 20 p.m. or 20:30 p.m. It is always wiser to reserve your table as early as possible in the Marais restaurants which are very busy. There are good bistros and some starred restaurants. French cuisine is not the only possible option. Le Marais has Italian, Japanese and Korean restaurants.

Our advice: consult the list of addresses recommended by le Marais Mood on our printed map of the Marais or on the lemaraismood.fr.

Before returning to the hotel, the more adventurous can enjoy a final drink at a cocktail bar or bistro. Jazz lovers can end the night at 38Riv , the Marais jazz club, located at 38 rue de Rivoli.