Paris: Discover the Hidden Gems of Marais with a Local Guide

Marais is a mix of old and new, known for its open mentality, which lives alongside French tradition. You’ll start your walking tour before the Centre Pompidou – Europe's largest modern art museum. Meet your local guide and head to the Hotel de Ville, passing the Stravinsky Fountain and some local street art. As you pass by churches and monuments, you’ll see how art and freedom thrive here, too. This area is known for its open LGBTQIA+ community and you can spot various rainbow boardwalks. Visit the Saint Gervais church and get a glimpse of the beautiful interiors, then wander along the twisting streets of Marais to spot some medieval churches and corbelled houses. Then it’s time to fuel up with a sweet treat. You’ll be treated to something a little different – a delicious meringue known as a ‘merveilleux.’ Then it’s on to the Rue des Rosiers – the heart of the Jewish community in Paris. It’s a vibrant pedestrian street full of falafel stands and popular Jewish-influenced delis. Learn a bit about the history and culture of the community here, then head along the Rue de Rivoli to Hotel de Sully, once a hotel particulier (a former private residence of the aristocracy that’s now owned by the State). P ass by the court and the hidden gardens, which are kept open for the public but are often overlooked by tourists. From the back of the gardens, follow a passage that takes you to Paris’ oldest square, la Place des Vosges – home of France’s national writer, Victor Hugo. It’s only a short walk from here to your final destination, La Place de la Bastille. This former prison was captured on July 14, 1789, triggering the French Revolution. The area nearby is full of bars and restaurants, leaving you with plenty of options for carrying on with your evening in the City of Lights!