Last Updated on 10th August 2023 by Sophie Nadeau
If you’re in search of the Paris of yesteryear, then you simply must head to Le Marais, a former swampy marshland which once lay outside the city perimeters. Located on the Right Bank of the Seine and encompassing much of the area covering the 3e and 4e arrondissements of the city, you can’t go wrong by dedicating a few hours getting to know this chic Parisian district. Here’s a free and self-guided Le Marais walking tour of medieval Paris and arrondissement highlights.
Contents
- Le Marais Walking Tour: Practical Advice, Tricks, and Tips
- Hotel de Ville
- Some of the oldest houses in Paris (11-13 Rue François Miron)
- Hotel de Sens & Bibliothèque Forney
- Le Village Saint Paul
- Église Saint Paul Saint Louis
- Place des Vosges
- Carette
- Maison Victor Hugo
- Musée Carnavalet
- Hank Vegan Burger
- Musée des Arts et Metiers
- Fancy a guided tour of Le Marais?
- Enjoyed reading this Medieval Paris: Self-Guided Le Marais Walking Tour? Pin it now, read it again later:
Le Marais Walking Tour: Practical Advice, Tricks, and Tips
If you’re looking to partake in this self-guided Le Marais walking tour, then I highly recommend starting earlier in the day when the light is better and the crowds are fewer. The chic arrondissements of the 3e and 4e are ever popular with tourists and locals alike and can get pretty busy- especially in the summer months!
Make sure to take your camera long and wear sensible footwear. The cobbled lanes may be pretty, but I can tell you from experience that they’re hard to walk on when you get blisters or are wearing heels!
The best places to eat along the way include picking up picnic supplies and enjoying a Parisian picnic in Place des Vosges, heading to one of the best vegan restaurants in the city (Hank Vegan Burger) or splurging on some French Sweets at Carette.
Walking Time: 54 minutes
Distance Covered: 4.2 km
Hotel de Ville
This walk starts in the very heart of the city, at the main Parisian town hall to be precise! First built in the 14th-century, there have been various expansions to the building over the years, as well as a near complete reconstruction of the Hôtel de Ville in the late 19th-century.
Once in the square, you’ll find that there are plenty of other things to see nearby; including views over the Seine and across the water to the Conciergerie, the place where Marie Antoinette was held prior to her execution during the French Revolution.
Some of the oldest houses in Paris (11-13 Rue François Miron)
For centuries, plenty of Parisians believed the timber-framed houses of 11-13 Rue François Miron to be the site of some of the oldest houses in Paris. However, subsequent research proved this theory incorrect, and the oldest house in the city is actually that which once belonged to Nicolas Flamel (yes, that guy from Harry Potter was a real person and he once lived in Paris)! Today, the buildings serve as the headquarter’s of a libertine’s club.
Hotel de Sens & Bibliothèque Forney
Located in the 4e arrondissement of the city and pretty close by to the Seine, the Hôtel de Sens is also known as Hôtel des archevêques de Sens and was once built to house the archbishops of Sens, a pretty town less than an hour’s drive North of Paris.
Today, the exterior of the building is home to a beautifully manicured garden which makes for the perfect spot to sit and read a book. While in the garden, make sure to look up as you’ll spot a cannon ball lodged in the side of the building, a leftover relic from the French Revolution. To the inside of the building, there’s a Bibliothèque Forney, a public library specialising in the decorative arts.
Le Village Saint Paul
If you fancy doing a spot of vintage shopping while wandering around Le Marais, then you simply must head to Village Saint Paul. This small pocket of Paris feels like a tiny French village in its own right and merits a visit on any trip to the city. Once there, you’ll find a maze of lanes, alleys and covered passageways; all filled with small vintage stores and antique stores.
Église Saint Paul Saint Louis
The 17th-century church of Église Saint Paul Saint Louis was first commissioned by Cardinal Richelieu (yep, you know that guy from the Three Musketeers), although a church has been on site since at least the 12th-century, perhaps earlier. The beautiful church is open on a daily basis and is a great example of classic French architecture combined with French Gothic.
Place des Vosges
The oldest public square in Paris can be found in the form of Place des Vosges, a beautiful green space that’s perfect for soaking up some sun during the summer months. The square was first constructed following the demolition of Hôtel de Tournelles, the former palace of Catherine de Medici and her husband, King of France Henri II.
Sadly, Henri was fatally injured during a jousting tournament and in her grief, Catherine de Medici removed the royals from the area, and relocated them to what is now the Louvre Museum.
Today, Place des Vosges is home to several covered arcades featuring various restaurants, boutiques and coffee shops. The green space in the centre of the square is free to visit and is where all the locals come to hang out…
Carette
For the best macarons in Paris, you simply must head to Carette, a pretty location in the heart of Place des Vosges. Though the sweet shop has several locations across Paris, there is no better place to sip on a chocolat chaud en terrace in the winter months, or nibble on a cool French treat during the summer.
Maison Victor Hugo
The writer of famous French novels such as Les Miserables and the Hunchback of Notre Dame, Victor Hugo once lived at Number 6 Place des Vosges. There he resided until his exile by Napoleon. Today, the writer’s former home is a small, free museum dedicated to Victor Hugo and offering breathtaking views of the public square.
The Musée Carnavalet is easily one of the best museums in the city for those who wish to learn more about the story of Paris and its surrounding. Free to visit, this museum will take several hours to explore if you truly want to see it all!
Hank Vegan Burger
The best lunch spot in Le Marais (particularly if you’re a non-meat eater like me) is that of Hank Vegan Burger. On the menu, you’ll find plenty of delicious veggie eats; in total, there are four burgers to choose from and ‘Le Touriste’ speciality means that there’s always something new to try each time you visit.
For an extra fee, burgers are served with a side of fries and an ever delicious organic cola. If you want to try some other, albeit healthier, vegan food, then there are plenty of other meat-free options in Le Marais.
For example, Wild & the Moon sell a whole load of fresh salads and smoothies. Here’s my complete vegan guide to Paris! If you’re looking for something a little more local feeling, you can check out the Marché des Enfants Rouges, which is a covered market dating back to the 17th-century.
Musée des Arts et Metiers
This Le Marais walking tour ends at the Musée des Arts et Metiers, a stunning cultural hub dedicated to all things related to industrial design. The nearby metro station of the same name, Arts et Metiers, is a nod to the steampunk world of Jules Verne and is also well worth a quick peek!
If you’re planning to take the metro after your visit, be sure to head to line 11 of the Arts et Metiers station. After all, it’s there where you’ll find the steampunk copper station of the Parisian metro! All quirky steampunk design, it’s easily one of the best metro stations in Paris.
Fancy a guided tour of Le Marais?
From vintage-inspired photo walks to exploring Paris on a Citroen 2 CV, there’s no shortage of activities inthe 3rd and 4th arrondissement of the city. And so, if you’re looking for a guided tour of Le Marais, then here are some of the best suggestions in the area:
Le Marais Street Art: 2-Hour Polaroid Photo Tour: This two-hour photo walk is all about discovering some of the best art in Le Marais. Vintage-inspired, en-route you’ll have the chance to snap photos with a Polaroid camera. Check prices and availability here.
Entrance to the Pompidou Centre: Truth be told one of the quirkiest buildings in Le Marais is the Georges Pompidou Centre. A museum dedicated to modern art, it’s here where you’ll find the likes of Bracques, Picasso, and the like, all in one place. Check prices and availability here.
Gourmet Marais 3-Hour Food Tour: For those who are looking to experience Paris through a culinary perspective, this 3-hour food tour of the area provides the perfect inside into the best gastronomic experiences the district has to offer. Check prices and availability here.
Charming Nooks and Crannies Bike Tour: If you prefer to cycle around the city rather than exploring on foot or via public transport, then be sure to book this cycling tour. Encompassing the Latin Quarter, Le Marais, and Saint Germain dés Pres, the tour lasts for three hours. Check prices and availability here.
2-Hour Vintage 2CV Tour: A couple of years ago, I explored Paris in a 2CV for the first time and couldn’t recommend it more. This tour will take you along the wide boulevards, as well as hidden corner of the city, including several spots in Le Marais. Check prices and availability here.
Enjoyed reading this Medieval Paris: Self-Guided Le Marais Walking Tour? Pin it now, read it again later:
Sophie Nadeau loves dogs, books, travel, pizza, and history. A Francophile at heart, she runs solosophie.com when she’s not chasing after the next sunset shot or consuming something sweet. She splits her time between Paris and London and travels as much as she can! Subscribe to Sophie’s YouTube Channel.