Welcome to Marais, in the City of Lights! Marais is a mix of old and new, known for its open mentality that lives side by side with French tradition.
You’ll start your walking tour in front of the Centre Pompidou - Europe's largest modern art museum. Meet your local expert guide and then move on pass Notre-Dame to the Hôtel de Ville, passing the Stravinsky Fountain and some local street art along the way. This building acts as the city's town hall, located on the square where once public executions were once carried out.
As you pass by churches and historic monuments, you'll also see rainbow boardwalks and how art and freedom also thrive here! This area is known for its open LGBTQIA+ community and Pride always passes by here. Visit the Saint Gervais church just behind the square, getting a glimpse of the beautiful inside interiors, then wander along the little streets of Marais to spot some old medieval churches and corbelled houses dating back to the Middle Ages. 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).
Pass by the court and the hidden gardens, which are kept open for the public but are often overlooked by tourists, making the area a peaceful oasis. From the back of the gardens, follow a passage that takes you to Paris' oldest and most beautiful square, la Place des Vosges, home of France's national writer, Victor Hugo.
From there, it's only a short walk to our final destination, La Place de la Bastille, the. This is former prison that 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!
