The most famous market and a luxury hotel: why you should visit the Marais district in Paris
The city of love and fashion, Paris, is known not only for the Eiffel Tower. It is also worth paying attention to its neighborhoods, where every meter breathes history. One of them is the Marais. It is a fashionable neighborhood with fashion boutiques, art galleries, and LGBT bars. The famous writer Victor Hugo once lived here, and it was also a Jewish quarter in the past, where kosher restaurants still operate.
Travel + Leisure journalist Sophie Dodd tells us more about her impressions of the Marais and what to see here.
Sophie says that it's not just boutiques, shops and pastry shops. It's much more than just a retail destination.
"The city center is where I recommend staying for all first-time visitors: you can walk to many of the main tourist attractions, there are some great hotels in the area, and the picturesque streets filled with endless cafes are perfect for people-watching."
Marais: what you should definitely do
Sophie recommends visiting the boutique hotel Le Grand Mazarin. It is a luxurious building with 61 hotel rooms. Exceptional interior, colorful tapestries and an emphasis on paintings by local artists. This all makes Le Grand Mazarin an ideal place to relax.
Les Enfants du Marché is an exceptional restaurant located near the flower and produce shops. Prices here are above average, but the high-end cuisine is worth it. There are also delicious French wines here.
Picasso Museum - dedicated only to the work of the artist himself. Located in one of the most beautiful hotels in the area, which used to be a private mansion.
Visit the famous vintage shops. One of them is En Voiture Simone.
The flavor specialty of the Marais is a salty herbal cocktail with tomatoes. You can taste it in the Little Red Door restaurant, one of the best in the city.
The best hotels
Le Grand Mazarin
Ideal for the discerning visitor. There are incredible colors and textures here: luxurious furniture and tapestries overhead, unusual prints, and artwork. This is maximalism imbued with French style. Sophie recommends visiting the Boubalé bar or taking a dip in the underground pool under a mesmerizing Cocteau fresco.
Cheval Blanc
The hotel is located in a historic building with a modern spirit. It has 72 rooms and visitors call it a quiet harbor where families, lovers, and friends meet. You can also see an incredible view of the Seine from the window. For a real treat, book a table at the three Michelin-starred Plénitude restaurant or visit the famous Dior Spa.
Sinner Paris
The interior of this hotel is quite daring: it is made in pink, red and black colors. There are 43 rooms with dark wood paneling and red tiled bathrooms. You can go to the Roman bath-style pool and hammam, as well as visit the bustling cocktail bar, where the lighting and DJ make it almost impossible to miss the nightly party.
Cour des Vosges
The hotel looks like a separate residence that welcomes Paris lovers. The rooms and suites, each with a butler's key, create a pied-à-terre atmosphere. Each level resembles the architectural codes of 17th century buildings. The designers drew inspiration from historic Paris and updated its past like archaeologists to better reveal its beauty, originality and power.
Museums
We have already mentioned the Picasso Museum earlier. Sophie also recommends visiting the Musée Carnavalet, which demonstrates the history of Paris from the BC era to the present day. Occupying two mansions, it is a masterpiece of Renaissance architecture; inside, it is filled with fascinating relics of the city's past, such as a collection of signage and symbols that were once used instead of street numbers to indicate an address. In the warmer months, the exquisite patio is a great place to dine.
The Pompidou Center is also worth a visit.
"The architectural marvel of Paris, which is home to the city's prestigious museum of contemporary art, amazes me every time I visit. When you go up the glass escalators to the top floor, you feel so excited to see Paris stretching out in front of you. Each season brings new exhibits - in 2024, there will be an impressive retrospective of Hungarian artist Vera Molnar. In 2025, the museum will close for a five-year renovation, so I strongly recommend visiting it while you still have the opportunity ," the journalist explains.
The oldest food market
It was founded in 1615 and still retains its old 17th century charm. As you wander through this densely packed maze, you'll be amazed by new smells every few feet: fragrant couscous, fresh flowers, and smoked ham make this bustling market such a joy to visit every time. Her favorites are Le Traiteur Marocain, where you can buy merguez-infused tajine and thick pita bread, and the famous sandwich shop Chez Alain Miam Miam. For a sit-down meal, try to grab a seat at the tiny bar surrounding the open kitchen of Les Enfants du Marché, a seafood spot that serves dishes alongside excellent natural wines.
Place des Vosges
The oldest square in Paris. The buildings are designed in the same style - red brick with gray stone stripes. Two buildings with higher mansard roofs are called the King and Queen's pavilions. Now a favorite picnic spot for Parisians and visitors alike, it's a great place to watch people with a warm baguette in hand.
A paradise for the sweet tooth - French desserts
Macaroons, eclairs, crème brûlée - desserts that are native to France. When you're here, it's hard to deny yourself this pleasure. To try fresh, delicious macaroons, Sophie advises visiting Pierre Hermé, which offers unusual flavors (rose, lychee, raspberry). Eclairs are sold at L'Éclair de Génie. And Popelini has a chic creme brulee and various desserts with interesting fillings.
What to buy
Souvenirs
The three-story Merci concept store is a souvenir Mecca. According to Sophie Dodd, she most often buys branded candles and lighters. There are also ceramic dishes, various souvenirs, and a huge selection of buttons.
French wine
For a bottle of fine wine, you should go to the A Lot Of Wine store. It has an impressive selection of bottles in its small space. Most importantly, the staff will be happy to answer any questions you may have and help you choose a wine according to your preferences.
Empreintes
Founded by the French Federation of Professional Crafts, this is a gallery-like space filled with handmade products - original jewelry, sculptural pendant lights, and ceramics. After visiting here, you will definitely have to buy an extra suitcase.
Vintage shops
If you want to buy an exquisite Chanel set or a cashmere coat, you should visit En Voiture Simone and Nice Piece. Not only Parisian girls but also world-class stars come here.
Where to go in the evening and at night
Le Mary Celeste
This is a popular bar among locals that is open until two in the morning, and it's always crowded. It has a delicious menu (including vegetarian options) and signature cocktails. It's a great place to spend an evening.
Café La Perle
Sophie Dodd says:"This is the best place for people watching. Parisians come here for different reasons, but in my case, there are only two reasons: to get a carafe of rosé wine for 14 euros and to try to flirt in French with well-dressed men."
Little Red Door
Listed as one of the 50 best bars in the world, Little Red Door serves farm-to-glass cocktails alongside a great menu that tells the story of the producers of each ingredient. Visits can be tricky, especially on weekends. The bar also offers a cocktail tasting menu for 70 euros, which can be booked in advance.
The best restaurants
Les Enfants du Marché
Local produce and seafood dominate the menu at Les Enfants du Marché, with new items such as crudo tuna from the south, alongside scallops from the north and pears from Normandy - la belle France on the plate.
Breizh Café
Each Breizh Café location is a harmonious combination of flavors and aromas. Every day they work on the development of organic, local and sustainable agriculture. Employees take care of local resources and promote Breton agricultural life, from land to plate.
Bistrot des Tournelles
Both the interior and the menu are exquisite, albeit simple. Here you can taste beef, pork ribs, foie gras, and salads. Desserts include tart, profiteroles and traditional creme brulee.
Carbonis
This is a kind of "little Italy" in Paris, because it serves Italian dishes in the French style. Sophie recommends trying their incredible pastas. The pasta with black striped squid and cream sauce is especially exquisite and delicious. Dinner can be complemented with natural wine. You can also enjoy live music here.
Chez Janou
A corner of greenery in the center of Paris, near the Place des Vosges. In the dining room or on the terrace in the shade of olive trees, you can enjoy the flavors of sunny and generous Provencal cuisine. For pasta lovers, the bar will offer you more than 80 types of pasta. For such a choice and olive trees, it is worth visiting this restaurant!
Best time to visit
Sophie says there is no best time to visit. At every time of the year there is something to visit and see. But, according to the journalist, Paris is still the best in the fall. This is the time when locals return from vacation and fill the city with energy. However, please note that the rush hour starts in spring and lasts until August. Take care of your accommodation and airfare in advance. As a rule, prices go up during this period.
Getting to Paris
Paris has two main international airports: Charles de Gaulle in the northeast and Orly Airport in the south. From there, you can quickly get to the city using public transportation; it usually takes 35 minutes to an hour. A third airport, Beauvais, is located further north of the city and is more difficult to get to; it is a favorite of small budget airlines operating in Europe. For travel, the main stations are the nearby Gare du Nord and Gare de l'Est.
Not the Marais alone: what other neighborhoods to visit
Montmartre
In addition to the many attractions of Paris, you should also visit Montmartre. It is the highest point of the city, with the Sacre Coeur Basilica at the top. The famous movie Amélie was filmed here in 2001.
Belleville
This is an avant-garde neighborhood where a street food market is organized every month. It is home to a Chinatown with grocery stores and unpretentious restaurants, as well as new contemporary galleries and street art.
Saint-Germain-des-Prés
"Art galleries, upscale shops, and maze-like pharmacies full of French skincare products are just some of the reasons to spend a day exploring Saint-Germain-des-Prés, the city's intellectual quarter in the ultra-chic sixth arrondissement. It'salso home to Les Deux Magots and the Café de Flore, where Hemingway, Picasso and Sartre spent time," says Sophie Dodd.
Getting around the city while traveling
You can get around the French capital by subway, city trains, buses, or taxis. The metro is the fastest and most economical way to get around. It has long hours of operation and has almost 300 stations and 16 lines. The name of the line is its terminus. From the Marais district, you can use the first metro line, the Saint-Paul station, from which you need to go only a few stops to get to the main tourist sites, such as the Louvre, the Tuileries Garden and the Arc de Triomphe.
