Highlights of the Marais area of Paris include a park where locals head for relaxation, homes of the famous, a world-class museum, and high-end shopping. Have you visited the Marias area of Paris? If not, plan to stroll around here and explore someday. This area of Paris, which includes the 3rd and 4th arrondissements of the city, was built on marshland (“marais” means marsh) in the 1100s. Here are some highlights of a day in the historic Marais.
The Place des Vosges
The Place des Vosges is the oldest planned square in Paris. It’s a park lined by elegant red-brick buildings. Victor Hugo’s home is here and is open to the public. Families hang out here, locals come to exercise or study, and tourists marvel at the peacefulness. 
The Historical Architecture
I loved the old buildings and streets, built at various times through the centuries. The doors of Paris speak of lives lived to the full here. 
French Cafes, of Course!
Morning coffee, lunch, late afternoon drink – no problem finding the perfect café. The difficult part is choosing. 
The Sunday Market
We took the bus to the Bastille circle, got off, and found the street we wanted as a starting point to our adventure. I’m not good at directions, though, so we went the opposite way. We wandered along, enjoyed a breakfast of chocolate croissants in a local bakery, and then figured out our mistake and turned around. We came to a street jammed with large and small trucks and immediately found the Sunday Market on the other side of them. So by happy accident we blended with residents doing their weekly shopping. 
The Jewish Quarter
The Marais has been home to a community of Jews since the 13th century. Sadly, this area is the site of terrorist attacks and of deportations. Memorials name some of the children deported during WWII. 
The Goldenberg deli is the site of a 1982 terrorist attack that left six people dead and 21 injured. As recently as 2015, two of the perpetrators were found. This is a community that does not forget those it lost. 
The tall synagogue survives. 
The Marais also has museums and shops and restaurants. On a Sunday, the Marais is especially vibrant as the residents come out in droves to enjoy their free time. It’s a bustling place, full of history and life. 
If you go to the Marais, I highly recommend lunch at La Terrasse Sainte-Catherine on Sainte Catherine Place. Locals filled the restaurant and it seemed everyone ordered a basket of French fries. So we did, too. I’m not a fry eater normally, but these are truly remarkable. And the salmon burger was delicious. 
PIN IT FOR LATER!!
32 Comments
Amazing impressions from La Marais. Paris is such a great city to visit and explore for the fellow photographer. You captured those scenes really well. Everything looks so inviting. Thank you for linking up with “Through My Lens”
Oh wow! SO beautiful!!
I love all the different types of building the colourful market scenes and yummy goodies to eat and that shot of the man in black with his back to us. Love that HAppy Easter
Yes, an interesting place with atmosphere!
Now I want to go tp Paris again!
I’m ready to go! Thanks for sharing your story and photos. It’s exactly the place I’d love to visit.
What I like about the Parisians is that they take time to enjoy their free time. Since there is so much history and beauty around it is also easy! Oh, yes I remember the temptation of all the boulangeries (if that is the right plural!). Luckily we were there with two kids who were teens, so if they were hungry they were not too particular, as long as it was food:) And too American to know what a good or bad coffee or croissant tastes like, lol!
Thank you for highlighting Goldenberg’s delicatessen! Lately when West Europe comes to mind,I sigh, because there is so much upheaval. Who knows Marine Le Pen will be able to implement some needed changes. Thank you Sharon for sharing these beautiful views of Paris with All Seasons! Hope you hag a great Easter (here it rained!) Have a good one.
Thank you for joining this week’s link-up at http://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2017/04/making-dangerous-situation-kid-friendly.html
Fantastic.
I did not see this area when I visited Paris. I love the tree covered walk path by the square. The tray of chocolate eclairs is calling my name 🙂
Wow – amazing and gorgeous shots!
Amazing lights! Great photography
I have a photo of Place des Vosges too:) #citytripping
What a beautiful corner of Paris! Never heard of this part, but it’s certainly beautiful and the history is interesting! Definitely looks worth visiting! #CityTripping
I love this area of Paris – didn’t get chance to visit on my last trip but you’ve made me want to dash straight back. And it’s great getting a bit lost now and then, you never know what you’ll find. Thanks for linking up with #citytripping
Oh, such a wonderful area! So sad I have not visited. To me, it feels like the typical Parisian neighborhood you want to spend some time on. Everything is so charming and quaint. Enjoyed your photos a lot! #WordlessWednesday
What a wonderful part of the world! I love the architecture and lively feel of this part of the city.
Love this post! I studied abroad in Paris and had an internship near the Place des Vosges. I went there almost daily for lunch and it was my favorite part of the whole city! So nice to relive it a little through your beautiful photos. 🙂
It’s just impossible for Paris to have a hair out of place. Your photos are gorgeous, which I’m guessing is in part because Paris is just lovely. I would not mind one of those pastries or a stroll through the gardens. #weekendwanderlust
How lovely! I love Le Marais, it is my favorite Paris neighborhood. I would love to go back right now! #WeekendWanderlust
Lovely photos! One of my favorite cities – and 3 times there is not nearly enough. Time to go again!
I love the Marais. Last time I was in paris was 4 years ago for a girls weekend and we spent an afternoon there walking around and dipping into cafes. it was perfect. #wkendtravelinspiration
Some beautiful photos. We really enjoyed the classic Parisian parks and the beautiful architecture of Paris, when we visited a few years ago. This isn’t an areea I knew anything about so it’s nice to find out more. It looks like you had a really lovely time. Thanks for sharing #WeekendWanderlust
I visited the Marais in 2003, with an ex LOL, but it was amazing! I feel like I ate at all those cafes… no falafel? that was my favorite thing in this area. found you from #weekendwanderlust
Paris is just one of those places that seems almost too magical, like something straight out of a film or a book! The cafes, the promenades, the architecture, it’s all just perfect.
We did not get to La Marais on our last Paris trip, despite planning for months to stay in the area. A last minute decision put us in the 7th, which was good…but seeing your photos has us ready to go back and stay in La Marais like we planned. 😉 Thanks for sharing! #WeekendWanderlust
I stayed in this area back in September in the cutest little boutique hotel. I do love Paris!
This is such a lovely part of Paris. So much to discover in such a little area. I’ve also gotten turned around at Bastille – there are so many streets off the main Place! #FarawayFiles
These photos are absolutely stunning!
Natalie Gennaoui
Our afternoon at the Place Des Vosges was very, very wet so we did a lot of running from shelter to shelter and probably missed a lot. It was still fun!. #allaboutfrance
Wow! The pictures you provided are simply stunning! The beauty of this place left me speechless!
One of my favourite areas of Paris, I used to live in the 4th arr. and this was my local neighbourhood. A regular Sunday passtime would be to get a takeaway felafel from l’As du Felafel and eat it in the Place des Vosges. Your photos of the place des Vosges are beautiful, the light is just gorgeous. Thanks for sharing this with #AllAboutFrance
Beautiful area of France! But then, is there really an “ugly” area? Your images have me desperately wanting to return for a croissant and cup of coffee in a small café. 🙂 Or maybe a macaron. I can never get enough of the country.
With Love,
Mandy