Top 5 tours of Le Marais in Paris

Le Marais is one of the most culturally open neighborhoods in Paris. It is the favorite of the LGBT community because it is where many of the places frequented by the community are concentrated and where most of the Pride month is celebrated. Let's get to know it!

Verónica Álvarez

Verónica Álvarez

8 min read

Top 5 tours of Le Marais in Paris

Paris | © Alexander Kagan

Le Marais is a neighborhood where some of the best things to do in Paris are concentrated, there are important museums, many art galleries and cultural activities.

Gastronomy also occupies an important place in this beautiful French neighborhood. You can also go shopping in its stores and during the night you can visit the huge offer of gay clubs and bars where fun, diversity and tolerance are the rule. I invite you to know the best tours in Le Marais and the must-see places if you are in the area.

1. Historical walking tour of Le Marais with wine and cheese tasting

Le Marais walking tour| ©photosylvia / silabox
Le Marais walking tour| ©photosylvia / silabox

In this type of Le Marais tour, one of the places where you can meet your guide is outside the Carnavalet Museum to start your tour of this multifaceted neighborhood (meeting points may vary). The tour focuses on two important aspects that make Le Marais a special place: history and gastronomy.

Your guide will tell you the details of the history of the place, as you walk through the streets and taste local delicacies. You will taste 5 different types of cheese and taste 4 wines while you relax and enjoy the experience. The tour is done in groups with a maximum of 8 people.

Details of interest of this option

  • Price: from 92 euros per person.
  • Duration: about 2 hours.
  • Means of transport: it is a walking tour.
  • Advantages of this option: in addition to the history you get to know the gastronomy of Le Marais.
  • Disadvantages of this option: it is not available in English.

2. Gastronomic tour of Le Marais with a local guide: private and personalized

Streets of Le Marais| ©Angel D
Streets of Le Marais| ©Angel D

After you book this tour, they will contact you to ask you some questions in order to know what your personal tastes and interests are and then assign you the most compatible guide with whom you will organize the itinerary. It is a private tour, just for you and your group and customizable according to your gastronomic inclinations.

You will tour the art galleries area, as well as the residential area with its spectacular mansions. You will visit bakeries and pastry shops and delight yourself with their products.

You will also visit the market, you can see and taste whatever you want, just tell your guide and he will organize the best itinerary for you. In the 3 hours tour, you will taste between 6 and 8 meals and two drinks (alcoholic or non-alcoholic), these tastings are included in the price. If you like to eat and try new things, I recommend these other gastronomic tours in Paris, your palate and stomach will be happy.

Interesting details of this option

  • Price: from 190 euros per person approximately.
  • Duration: about 3 hours.
  • Means of transport: it is a walking tour, but if you need to move around, your guide will tell you the best way to do it by public transport or cab (tickets are not included in the tour price).
  • Advantages of this option: it is a customizable and private tour.
  • Disadvantages of this option: it is not available in English.

3. Private walking tour of Le Marais with a local, explore its old-world charm

Pompidou Center| ©Luis Tamayo
Pompidou Center| ©Luis Tamayo

On this 100% privateand customizable tour you will explore Le Marais at your own pace and focus on what interests you and your group the most. When you book this experience, you will be contacted within 24 hours to ask you a few questions about your tastes, preferences and expectations. The answers will be used to assign you to the guide most compatible with you and start working on the itinerary together.

You will be able to choose which places to visit and the time you spend at each place. One of the most important museums in the city, the Pompidou Center, is located in Le Marais and is an excellent choice to include in your itinerary. Entrance fees to the Pompidou Center are not included in the tour price.

Details of interest of this option

  • Price: from 124 euros per person approximately.
  • Duration: 3 hours.
  • Means of transport: it is a walking tour, but if you need to move your guide will advise you which is the best way to do it (tickets are not included in the price).
  • Advantages of this option: it is customizable, private and in Spanish.

4. Tour of the pastries and chocolates of Paris

child looking at chocolate| ©Danielle Voirin
child looking at chocolate| ©Danielle Voirin

On this tour you will combine the culture and history of Le Marais with the best of Parisian chocolate and desserts. You will be able to choose between two Parisian neighborhoods Saint-Germain-des-Prés or Le Marais. In Le Marais, besides discovering the valuable history of the area dating back to medieval times, you will visit an exclusive selection of pastry shops, bakeries and chocolate stores, specially designed by your local gastronomy expert guide.

You will taste delicious chocolates, breads and pastries, tastings are included in the price. If besides eating delicious food you like to cook, don't miss the best cooking classes in Paris, you will learn how to prepare delicious desserts and breads.

Interesting details of this option

  • Price: from 114 euros per person.
  • Duration: about 3 hours.
  • Means of transport: it is a walking tour and with a maximum of 8 participants.
  • Advantages of this option: it is in Spanish.

5. Unknown Paris: One day bicycle tour

Paris by night| ©Alex Rupor
Paris by night| ©Alex Rupor

In this tour, ideal for those who like sports, you will ride through Le Marais and other areas such as the Bastille, the banks of the Seine River, the Latin Quarter and the secret passages.

Your local guide will take you to visit the lesser known places in Paris that only the locals know about. The relaxed pace of the tour makes this a good experience also for the untrained.

During the tour you will stop at the most interesting places with time to take pictures. The price of the tour includes bike and helmet rental, drinks are not included so you should bring something to hydrate yourself. If you like cycling do not miss the opportunity to do one of the other bike tours in Paris.

Details of interest of this option

  • Price: from 47 euros per person.
  • Duration: from 2 hours to two hours and a half approximately.
  • Means of transport: bicycle.
  • Advantages of this option: you also visit other areas besides Le Marais.
  • Disadvantages of this option: not available in English.

Book a bike tour in Paris

How do I book a tour of Le Marais?

Booking your trip| ©Vlada Karpovich
Booking your trip| ©Vlada Karpovich

The way to book a tour of Le Marais or any of the best tours and excursions in Paris is online, through platforms specialized in selling tour packages. You have many options available for excursions and also different experiences such as cooking classes, night tours, shows, sports shows, etc.

If you book online you have the advantage of being able to better plan your trip because you will already know what activities you will have each day of your itinerary, if instead you wait to hire the tours to arrive in Paris, you will surely have to alter your plans due to the availability of the dates for the realization of the tours.

What are the must-see attractions in Le Marais?

Carnavalet Museum| ©David Monniaux
Carnavalet Museum| ©David Monniaux

Le Marais is a neighborhood that has it all, history, culture, gastronomy, shopping and nightlife. There are some visits you can't miss. Here is what they are:

The Carnavalet Museum

The Carnavalet Museum is dedicated to the history of the city of Paris from its birth to the present day. Throughout the year there are several special temporary exhibitions.

  • Where it is located: 23 rue de Sévigné - 75003 Paris
  • Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday, from 10:00 to 18:00.
  • Admission fee: from 40 euros per person.

The Pompidou Center

In addition to hosting the most important permanent exhibitions of modern art in Europe, the Pompidou Center also hosts temporary events throughout the year that are internationally renowned and attract cultural personalities from around the world.

Since its inauguration, the Pompidou Center has become synonymous with modern art and is a world reference.

  • Where: Place Georges Pompidou - 75004 Paris
  • Opening hours: Wednesdays and Mondays: 11:00 am to 9:00 pm.
  • Ticket price: from 33 euros per person approximately.

The house of Victor Hugo

This impressive mansion, now transformed into a museum, was the home of the famous writer of "Les Miserables". It was here that he wrote most of his works. Temporary exhibitions and workshops for young people are also organized in this museum. In theMuseum of Victor Hugo's house you can visit the main stages of the writer's life through the permanent collection on the second floor.

  • Where: Hôtel de Rohan-Guéménée - 6 place des Vosges - 75004 Paris
  • Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm. Reservations must be made in advance at +33 (0) 1 42 72 69 46, Monday to Friday, from noon to 1:30 pm and from 4:00 pm to 5:30 pm, or by e-mail francoise.lagneaux@paris.fr.
  • Ticket price: from approximately 40 euros per person.

Place des Vosges

It is one of the oldest squares in the city and is also considered one of the most beautiful. The stores, bars, cafes and restaurants that are located around the square are open on Sundays, so this is an attraction to enjoy any day of the week.

  • Where: Place des Vosges - 75004 Paris.
  • Hours of operation: Open every day of the week, 24 hours a day.
  • Admission fee: Free for all visitors.

The National Museum Picasso-Paris

The Musée National Picasso-Paris houses the largest collection of Picasso's works in the world, including more than 5,000 works and 200,000 archival objects. Works painted, sculpted and drawn by Pablo Picasso are represented. This museum is undoubtedly a must-see for art lovers.

  • Where: 5 rue de Thorigny - 75003 Paris.
  • Opening hours: Tuesday to Friday: 11:30 am - 6:00 pm, Saturday and Sunday from 9:30 am to 6:00 pm.
  • Ticket price: from 12.50 euros per person approximately.

Advantages of taking a guided tour of Le Marais

Le Marais| ©BrasilNut1
Le Marais| ©BrasilNut1

The Marais district is one of the most emblematic of Paris. It is a must for those who want to know the essence of the city. There are many things to discover in this area, both outstanding attractions and hidden gems that only a local can show you.

From art galleries to the best stores, the guides know which is the best and can guide you. Le Merais is an area with a lot of history, to learn those anecdotes that are not in the books, there is nothing better than hiring someone who knows the place and knows its secrets. For all these reasons, it is advisable to take a guided tour of the neighborhood, after knowing the most important things, you can go deeper on your own.