Top 5 tours of Le Marais in Paris

Le Marais is one of the most culturally open neighbourhoods in Paris. It is the LGBT community's favourite because it is where many of the places frequented by the community are concentrated and where Pride month is most 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 neighbourhood where some of the best things to do in Paris are concentrated, with major museums, many art galleries and cultural activities.

Gastronomy also plays an important role in this beautiful French neighbourhood. You can also go shopping in its shops 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 check out the best tours of Le Marais and the must-see places if you're in the area.

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

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

On this type of tour of Le Marais, one of the places where you can meet your guide is outside the Carnavalet Museum to start your tour of this multifaceted neighbourhood (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.

Interesting details 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: not available in English.

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

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 find out what your personal tastes and interests are and then assign you the most compatible guide with whom you will organise the itinerary. It is a private tour, just for you and your group and customizable according to your gastronomic inclinations.

You will visit the art galleries area, as well as the residential area with its spectacular mansions. You will be able to visit bakeries and pastry shops and enjoy their products.

You will also visit the market, you will be able to see and taste whatever you want, just tell your guide and he will organise 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: this is a walking tour, but if you need to get around, your guide will tell you the best way to do it by public transport or taxi (tickets are not included in the price of the tour).
  • Advantages of this option: it is a customisable 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 Centre| ©Luis Tamayo
Pompidou Centre| ©Luis Tamayo

On this 100% privateand customisable 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 match you with the guide most compatible with you and start working on the itinerary together.

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

Details of interest for this option

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

4. Tour of Parisian pastries and chocolates

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. In Le Marais, as well as discovering the area's rich history dating back to medieval times, you will visit an exclusive selection of patisseries, bakeries and chocolate shops, specially designed by your local foodie guide.

You will taste delicious chocolates, breads and pastries, tastings are included in the price. If in addition to 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 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

On this tour, ideal for those who like sport, you will cycle through Le Marais and other areas such as the Bastille, the banks of the river Seine, 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 hire, drinks are not included so you should bring something to hydrate yourself. If you like cycling, don't miss the opportunity to do one of the other Paris bike tours as well.

Details of interest for this option

  • Price: from 47 euros per person.
  • Duration: approximately 2 to 2.5 hours.
  • Means of transport: bicycle.
  • Advantages of this option: you also get to see other areas in addition to Le Marais.
  • Disadvantages of this option: not available in English.

Book a bike tour of Paris

How do I book a tour of Le Marais?

Booking your tour| ©Vlada Karpovich
Booking your tour| ©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 specialised in selling package tours. You have many options available for excursions and also different experiences such as cooking classes, night visits, shows, sports shows, etc.

If you book online you have the advantage of being able to plan your trip better 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 neighbourhood that has it all, history, culture, gastronomy, shopping and nightlife. There are some must-visits you can't miss. Here's 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: 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 Centre

The Pompidou Centre not only hosts the most important permanent exhibitions of modern art in Europe, but also organises temporary events throughout the year that are internationally renowned and attract cultural personalities from all over the world.

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

  • Where: Place Georges Pompidou - 75004 Paris
  • Opening hours: Wednesdays and Mondays: from 11:00 to 21:00.
  • Ticket price: from approximately 33 euros per person.

Victor Hugo's house

This impressive mansion, now a museum, was the home of the famous writer of "Les Miserables". It was here that he wrote most of his works. The museum also hosts temporary exhibitions and workshops for young people. In theMuseum of Victor Hugo's house, you can follow the main stages of the writer's life through the permanent collection on the first floor.

  • Where: Hôtel de Rohan-Guéménée - 6 place des Vosges - 75004 Paris
  • Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 18:00. Reservations must be made in advance on +33 (0) 1 42 72 69 46, Monday to Friday, from noon to 1:30pm and from 4:00pm to 5:30pm, or by email francoise.lagneaux@paris.fr.
  • Ticket price: from approximately 40 euros per person.

Place des Vosges

One of the oldest squares in the city, it is also considered one of the most beautiful. The shops, bars, cafes and restaurants located around the square are open on Sundays, so this is an attraction to be enjoyed any day of the week.

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

The Musée National 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 a must-see for art lovers.

  • Where: 5 rue de Thorigny - 75003 Paris.
  • Opening hours: Tuesday to Friday: 11:30 - 18:00, Saturday and Sunday from 09:30 to 18:00.
  • Ticket price: from approximately 12.50 euros per person.

Advantages of taking a guided tour of Le Marais

Le Marais| ©BrasilNut1
Le Marais| ©BrasilNut1

Le Marais is one of the most emblematic neighbourhoods in Paris. It is a must-see for those who want to get 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 shops, the guides know which is the best and can guide you. Le Merais is an area steeped in history, and for those anecdotes that aren't in the books, there's 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 neighbourhood, and after getting to know the most important things, you can go deeper on your own.