The best streets in Le Marais
*Originally published by Clem in January 2018 , updated by Arielle in December 2019 and Felix in May 2023.
Le Marais has a lot of great places, known only by the Parisians. The best streets are a good way to discover the quarter in its intimacy: secret alleys, discrete parks, and tiny arcades will not have any secrets for you with this summary. Read on to find out which ones are the best streets in Le Marais and become an expert in le Marais!
Le passage de l’Ancre (the Anchor’s passage): the secret one
One of the cutest streets in the Marais! In just fifty meters, you discover a little green heaven with this private alley. Silent and colorful, you will find here a completely different atmosphere compared to what you can find in the city. The majority of the façades are former shop windows, now occupied by offices. The last shop in activity is Pep’s, a little boutique specializing in umbrellas, parasols, and walking sticks. A very picturesque one!
It’s one of the oldest passages in town. Its name refers to an inn, with a sign of anchor (“ancre“), which was on this street during the Middle Ages. Two ways to access it: the best one is 223, rue St-Martin (with a beautiful arch) or 30, rue de Turbigo. Be careful, it’s sometimes closed on weekends.
What to do: Visit the Musée des Arts et Métiers de Paris (Museum of Arts and Skills) which presents the history of the greatest scientific and technical inventions.
What to see: Stroll the around the very close neighborhoods of Beaubourg. Or check out rue Montorgueil, a hip Parisian street with plenty of dining.
Where to eat: Klay. A nearby sports club with a cute courtyard cafe, this trendy eatery offers delicious and healthy options. 4Bis Rue Saint-Sauveur, 75002 Paris
Village St-Paul: the repair of the antique dealers
These hidden squares are forming a little village in the heart of the Marais. It’s also considered to be one of the best streets in the Marais. It is the perfect place to find an art piece or an antique. Here, more than 200 antique dealers are opening every day, even on Sundays! You will find here every style you want, from the Middle Age to the seventies, and also brand new style with the recent installation of modern designers (learn more about the best designers of the Marais). You get to this little village by various passages and arrive in just a few seconds in a completely other atmosphere than the noisy one of the nearby Rivoli and Seine streets. I advise you to go to a cheap and good restaurant, Le Chanard, located at 8 rue St Paul, with an atmosphere of a little Parisian bistro (read more about Parisian bistro)! The complete “village” is between four streets: St Paul, Jardins St Paul, Ave Maria and Charlemagne.
What to do: Shop for antiques!
What to see: Paroisse Saint-Paul Saint-Louis. This old beautiful church is right next door and definitely something to see in the Marais.
Rue des Rosiers: Jewish ambiance
Part of the Marais is also known for being the Jewish Paris. The rue des Rosiers is the most famous Jewish street of the Marais, and for me, it is the best street! You will find here a synagogue, specialized Hebraic bookstores, or famous stores, like the delicious restaurant Chez Marianne. Here you can see Jews with their traditional clothes and kippas. It’s also a historic street because of the several commemorative plaques for the victims of the Shoah and the anti-Semitic attack that happened in 1982 against a restaurant. In this street you can eat the best falafels and shawarma in Paris at the L’As du Fallafel and be shipped abroad! At the tenth of the street, a cute garden called Jardin des Rosiers – Joseph Migneret welcomes you: it’s a meeting of gardens of former private houses, very calm and a good spot for a rest after a walk!
What to do: Shop, walk around, people watch!
What to see: Joseph Migneret Garden is a cute spot located at 10 Rue des Rosiers, 75004 Paris
Where to eat: L’As du Fallafel, of course! 32-34 Rue des Rosiers, 75004 Paris
Place Ste-Catherine: the Parisian secret spot
This square is one of the best secret streets of le Marais! Far from the commotion of the city, you will find on this square a nice ambiance, very calm and picturesque. It’s a perfect spot to spend a couple of hours on a bench or a terrace – more than seven bistros and restaurants in a nice traditional setting are located here. It’s an unknown place even for Parisians (more addresses of outdoor seating restaurants)!
If you want to discover traditional French food (BDJ Café, Chez Joséphine, Le Marché), I advise you to go there! The restaurants aren’t too expensive (between ten euros and twenty euros, fifteen euros for lunch) and the waiters are very cautious and kind. I think this is the best place to go if you want to avoid noisy Paris, with its cars and its crowds. Furthermore, the square is perfectly located between the St-Paul subway station and the Vosges’ square. You will find this place between the streets de Turenne, de Sevrane and St-Antoine.
What to do: people watch, eat, draw, relax.
What to see: The nearby Jardin de l’Hotel de Sully in the heart of Marais.
Where to eat: B.D.J Café. 5 Rue de Jarente, 75004 Paris.
Rue des Barres: the medieval part of the quarter
Between the beautiful church of St-Gervais and the tiny Couperin square, this little street is one of the best streets of the Marais. You will find here a very nice atmosphere of a little town: the cobblestones, the timbered houses (“maisons à colombages“) and the old stones will make you smile! It’s a nice way to catch a beautiful view of the Seine – I mean perfect to spend the end of the afternoon. This street is one of the oldest of the quarter, it dates back from 1240 and it is very beautiful. Special mention to the restaurant L’Ebouillanté, with a great terrace to spend a fun moment in le Marais!
If you want to spend the afternoon walking in the Marais, read more about this neighborhood here. Otherwise, if you want to shop in that area of Paris, this article is made for you! You can also book our trendy Marais free (tip-only) walking tour.
What to do: Spot some historic buildings, eat, relax.
What to see: Église Saint-Gervais-et-Saint-Protais, which has been there since the 7th century.
What to eat: Chez Julien is a fancy French eatery with views of the Seine.
Ru des Francs-Bourgeois: Tax-free City dwellers
This beautiful passage is in the heart of the Marais District, endowed with fashioned shops, boutiques, and designer stores. You would only make a hundred strides by stumbling upon a cute art gallery. Whether you like it or not, historic mansions will remind you about the street’s history. With some structure dating back to the sixteenth century, Francs-Bourgeois is undoubtedly one of the prettiest streets in town. Walk to the end of the street to a hidden and welcoming gem called Le Pavilion de la Reine. This natural beauty will make you want to take a million photos. Feel free to stay a little longer if you are attracted to the jasmine.
What to do: Window shop, stroll, take pictures.
What to see: place des Vosges where there is plenty of architecture
Where to eat: Le Pavillion de la Reine 28 des Voges, 75003 France, is a five-star hotel in a natural green environment. Tasty drinks and delicious short-course meals will make you happy.
Rue de Saintonge: The Saintonge Street
Marais’s Mexican vibe in Saitnonge Street runs from Bretagne to Turbigo. There is no better street in Marais than Saintonge for boutiques and hotels. If you are a Mexican food fan, I recommend you don’t walk past Candelaria Hotel. Here you will explore your taste for cocktails alongside other drinks. You can visit one of the restaurants to have a meal and pass the time or pop into the Musee de la Nature Museum.
The charming atmosphere on this street is made possible by the ancient mansions and a collection of artifacts. I suggest you visit this beautiful street to experience France’s history at a glance.
What to do: View art, eat, and meet new people.
What to see: Visit the Musee de la Chase et de la Nature and enjoy the natural world view
Where to eat: Candelaria52 Ru de Saintonge, Paris, is the best stop for Mexican delicacies, along with creative cocktails.
Rue Vieille du Temple: The prominent street
Marais has Rue Vieile du Temple to thank for the charming atmosphere. This is a prominent street in the district where you can enjoy shopping, nature walking, and eating the best food. Famous people in the country have their history in this place. Find the history of a lifelong famous Frenchman, Pablo Picasso. This is your destination if you look forward to decorating your sitting room. Pick a selection of handmade accessories, furniture, and artisan products. The museum in the street goes back to the seventeenth century. They say old is gold. The Musee Museum is the gold in the region. Paint, make sculptures, and eat in the best hotels around.
What to do: visit the BHV department store, go shopping, and eat.
What to see: Au Petit Fer a Cheval, Musee Picasso museum
Where to eat: Robert and Louise 64 Rue Vielle du Temple 75003 Paris is the best spot for traditional food in Marais.
Rue de Turenne: the interesting doors
Rue de Turenne is by far the best street in Marais! I promise you a hidden place far away from the busy parts of Paris. Whether you are looking for a modern or ancient environment, Turenne has it all. Stop by La Banquette for a drink and some delicious bites at affordable prices. If I were you, I would not leave this beautiful street without visiting one of the several cafés. Ancient buildings will make you confuse this street with old France. Crossing the street without looking inside the Musee Carnavalet museum would be best.
What to do: have coffee, eat, and relax in a restaurant.
What to see: History at Musee Carnavalet museum, beautiful artwork, and artifacts.
Where to eat: La Banquette 92 Rue Turenne 75003 Paris. Here you can enjoy the famous white coffee alongside several drinks.
Rue des Archives (Archives Nationales): National Archives
Welcome to the shopping center! In the Rue de Archives, arguably one of the best streets in Marais, you will find the past and present. Pop into Musee Picasso, Carnavalet, or Musee de la Chasse et de la Nature to experience France’s history. Amid these ancient buildings are beautiful and modernly furnished cafes and restaurants. This nine-hundred-meter stretch is an excellent stoppage for dinner and a pleasant walk.
The emblematic alley consists of a series of sumptuous hotels that have existed since the seventeenth century. You can stop at one of them, or better still, spend a night if you can.
What to do: Visit an orphanage, shop, and eat!
what to see: the Hospital des Enfants Rouges, Musee Picasso, Musee Carnavalet, Musee de la Chasse et de la Nature
Where to eat: Hotel de Montecost, 28000 Paris, is the best stoppage for a bite or two. The hotel’s multiple floors provide enough space for you.
Rue Charlot: most chic of the area
Let me educate you if you think Avenue Montaigne is the best for modern designer clothes. Rue Charlot is the best street in Marais for shopping for the best designs in the city. The beautiful facades will welcome you to the street in the boutiques and jewelry shops. You should have an hour’s tour of the Musee de la Chasse et de la Nature Museum. I promise this will be the best one hour of your time in Marais. Alternatively, stop at the Lou de Beauregard, the most prominent designer store, for the best wear. Perhaps you love being in an ancient environment. If you do, Rue Charlot is the best for you.
What to do: Eat, relax, and stroll in the alley.
What to see: Musee de la Chasse et de la Nature museum.
Where to eat: Hotels Particuliers 23 Avenue Pavillion D 75018 Paris.
Rue des Tournelles: the Orthodox Jewish synagogue
Some Parisians are known for their love of Jewish culture. You will find them on Rue des Tournelles or the sister street, rue des Rosiers. The Orthodox Jewish synagogue has been on this great alley since the 1800s. If you so wish, you can pop into the synagogue at any time of the day. Here you can learn the Jewish history and chat with a few people. You can also go shopping inside the shops at Place the la Republique or head towards the end of the street and mingle with the Parisians at Place des Vosges. If you are lucky to have a camera, this is the best place to use it. This public square has a variety of ancient buildings, a garden, and a fountain. You will enjoy every minute.
What to do: relax, eat, window shopping.
What to see: the Orthodox Jewish synagogue, Place des Vosges
Where to eat: Place des Vosges 75003 Paris.
You now know some of the best streets in Le Marais! I hope you’ve enjoyed reading this article and that it has been helpful! Don’t hesitate to contact us if you need further information about anything! As you will be walking the Marais neighborhood, you will wander its streets aimlessly. You will probably stumble upon stunning and charming streets that will become your favorites! So, feel free to share your experiences and tell us which ones were your favorite streets in Le Marais! See you soon in Paris!
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