If you want your introduction to Parisian cool, Le Marais is the place to start. Spanning the 4th and 5th Arrondissement and just beside the Seine, this district is perfect for twenty-somethings looking to immerse themselves in unique boutiques of all price ranges, off-beat art, and a nice falafel or two. Be sure to include a day at Le Marais in your Paris itinerary, and here’s where you should go:

SEE

1. Place des Vosges

Let’s start with the obvious, shall we? Places des Vosges is a classic and is located right in between the 3rd and 4th Arrondissement. This square is actually the oldest planned square in the city and was the most fashionable and expensive square to be in, which is probably why Le Marais became and continue to be so fashionable. In the summertime, Parisians lay on the grass in the middle of the square to bask in sunshine… and to rest their feet after a morning of food and shopping!

Place des Vosges, 75004 Paris

2. Centre Pompidou

I took French ages ago and Centre Pompidou was right at the first chapter, and I vividly remember the photo of the building covering ¾ of the page, coupled with a dialogue about it. I had no idea what idea was (proves my capacity to understand French as a 12-year-old at the time, huh!) but I made a mental note to visit Centre Pompidou one day. Fast forward to 2017 on my first trip, it was surreal to see the building in person. When it first opened, the building caused uproar among Parisians for its Brutalist design (but then again, they also complained when the pyramids of the Louvre entrance were unveiled…). Despite this controversy, Centre Pompidou remains one of the best place to see modern art (Musee d’Art du Centre Pompidou). They’re also technically not located in Le Marais, but at Beaubourg. PS: If you’re a student, they have a nice public library inside where local students go to.

Place Georges-Pompidou, 75004 Paris

3. Carreau du Temple

Carreau du Temple used to be a clothes market and in 2014 converted to a venue for music, theater, sports, fairs... You name it. It also hosts fashion shows and acts as an artists’ residence. With an industrial-style iron-and-glass structure, It’s not hard to spot this massive building. The entrance fee depends on the ongoing event, so be sure to check the website.

4 rue Eugène Spuller - 75003 Paris

Dine

1. Au Petit Fer à Cheval

Au Petit Fer à Cheval is rich with history. You could see reclaimed Metro benches, vintage posters, and enjoy a couple of drinks at the marble horseshoe bar (hence the name of this place). And no wonder, This cafe/bar has opened for more than a century! I'd recommend coming down to this place at night because they open until 2 AM.

30 Rue Vieille du Temple, 75004 Paris

2. Marché des Enfants Rouges

It's always fun to walk around fresh food markets in different cities, and Marché des Enfants Rouges has great food options inside. L’Estaminet des Enfants Rouges is a good bistro to check out, especially in the winter when they're shucking bivalves to order and serving a mean vin chaud. There's also other types of cuisines, including burgers, Japanese, crêpes, sandwiches, and more. Paris by Mouth makes a great guide, read it here.

39 rue de Bretagne, 75003

3. L’As du Fallafel

Le Marais is historically a Jewish quarter, so if you're here, you should come to the most famous falafel joint in Paris. Expect a queue and pay by cash to make your life easier. Get the fallafel spécial and have it to go.

32-34 Rue des Rosiers, 75004 Paris

4. Carette

Located right at Place des Vosges, Carette is well known for brunch and their beautiful sweet creations. Head's up: Carette is a pretty fancy place especially if you're travelling on a budget (its location should give that fact away already), so save this place for a special occasion. Their to-go menu is cheaper but if you're ordering in Carette might as well dine-in.

25 Place des Vosges, 75003 Paris

5. Breizh Café

This crêperie serves delicious (you guessed it) crêpes and galettes and has five branches in France and even more in Japan. Bon Appetit recommends the buckwheat crepe with smoked herring and Saint-Malo potatoes, the dessert crêpe with banana and salted caramel, and any of the ciders on the menu. Also expect this place to be packed with both locals and tourists.

109 Rue Vieille du Temple, 75003 Paris

6. Le Mary Celeste

This place respects the integrity of ingredients, and uses quality seafood and locally sourced meat and produce.

Seafood, locally sourced meat and produce, and a bit of spice complement a natural wine list and cocktails designed to accompany rather than overpower the food.

1 Rue Commines, 75003 Paris

7. The Broken Arm

Stepping inside the Broken Arm is like stepping inside a lifestyle magazine. The Broken Arm is both a concept store and a café, so you could have a delicious brunch and shop at the same place. Now that's what I call time saved, but money well-spent. They serve delicious sandwiches and coffees. This place is a new favorite among the French and expats.

12 Rue Perrée, 75003 Paris

8. Cafe Pinson

Café Pinson has a seasonal menu with mostly vegan and dairy and gluten-free items, and they're all a delight to the palette. They also serve fresh juices blended to order and coffee from the famous Coutume.

6 rue de Forez 75003 Paris

9. Candeleria

The taqueria offers traditional Mexican tacos in a warm and convivial atmosphere, while the cocktail bar has been recognized as a top destination by World’s 50 Best Bars and Tales of the Cocktail.

52, rue de Saintonge, 75003 Paris

Shop

1. Merci Concept Store

If you have a weakness for well-designed apparel, homeware, and general knickknacks, avert your eyes! Merci was dubbed the "more approachable, cooler cousin" to the now permanently closed Colette. They have a wide price range, but be careful: this store has the magical power of getting you to buy that thing you don't need for double the price you think it should be.

111 Boulevard Beaumarchais, 75003 Paris

2. Free’P’Star (vintage)

Most of the secondhand items come from the States, this vintage store is a fun place to go to look for deals, since prices start at just a euro. It is packed but that's what makes scavenging in secondhand shops so much fun.

61 Rue de la Verrerie, 75004 Paris

3. 0fr.

This trendy bookshop-gallery is the also trendy Le Marais is loved by Kanye West, and he can’t be wrong… right? If you’re an art lover, you would enjoy browsing through their collection of art and coffee table books. They also have black and white postcards scribbled with French phrases, which is a cute affordable souvenir to bring home.

20 Rue Dupetit-Thouars, 75003 Paris

4. CSAO

From tote bags to throws, expect beautiful and brightly colored crafts that makes for a unique souvenir. CSAO carries products with West African design since there's a large proportion of the population in Paris that are of West African descent.

9 Rue Elzevir, 75003 Paris

5. Fleux

This of Fleux as Paris' equivalent of Anthropologie. This concept store specializes in home decor goods and manages to make chairs seem exciting.

39 Rue Sainte-Croix de la Bretonnerie, 75004 Paris

6. Village Saint-Paul

Village St-Paul is a hidden pedestrian village where you can buy antiques, including furniture, art, decoration, and ore. Entrances on the rue Saint-Paul, rue Ave Maria, the St-Paul and Charlemagne gardens; but it can be tricky to find. Messy Nessy Chic (a really good blog to find hidden Parisian gems!) does a good article on this place, read more here.

Rue Saint-Paul, 75004 Paris

Words by Nadia Pritta Wibisono

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