Excellent tour with Maria! We’ve stayed in the Marais a few times and never visited the places she brought us.
About Activity
What's Included
Includes
- TOUR GUIDE EXCLUSIVELY FOR YOU (Does NOT apply if you choose "SAVE! BOOK SEMI-PRIVATE" option)
- DURATION 2.5 HOURS
- TOUR WILL RUN, RAIN OR SHINE
- PRIVATE WALKING TOUR (Does NOT apply if you choose "SAVE! BOOK SEMI-PRIVATE" option)
Excludes
- Tour Price Does NOT Include Hotel Pickup or Drop-Off (We Recommend UBER or Taxi)
- Tour Does NOT Include Gratuities (OPTIONAL)
- This tour does not include entry into any synagogues, as access is restricted for security reasons.
Departure & Return
Departure Point
- Meet your guide 10 minutes before the tour starts by metro exit Saint Paul (Line 1) outside of the exit of the metro station on the opposite side of the stairs next to Metro sign SAINT PAUL. By car: 125 Rue Saint-Antoine, 75004 Paris, France
Itinerary
Start by understanding the historic importance of the Marais, which once laid beyond the center of Paris. Today, it is at the heart of the city. Discover the Church of Saint Paul and Saint Louis before walking through the courtyard of the majestic Hotel de Sully. Continue experiencing the royal history of the Marais by exploring the pristine Place des Vosges, a public square with unparalleled beauty in Paris. Afterwards, move forward in time to learn all about the bustling Jewish community that put the Marais on the map through the 18th and 19th centuries. Wander the bakeries and boutiques of the Pletzl before strolling the shop-laden rue des Francs Bourgeois. All the while you’ll discover mansion after mansion, former homes to the nobility that once called the Marais home. Some are now museums, like the highly worthwhile Musée Carnavalet. The tour may also introduce you to both the Hotel de Ville, or City Hall, and the Pompidou Center, both architectural masterpieces from very different periods.
We will start our tour by visiting the 17th century St-Paul-St-Louis church, which was built by the Jesuits after a design inspired by that of the Gesù church in Rome.
We will then pass by the Hotel de Sully, a building built between 1624 and 1630. Designed by architects Jean 1er Androuet du Cerceau and Yves Boiret in the Renaissance style with Baroque elements, the construction of the hotel fits in a larger movement of monumental building in this part of Paris.
Next we will make our way to Place de Vosges, the oldest planned square in Paris. A stroll in the Marais without admiring Place des Vosges is like a walk on the Champs Elysees without seeing the Arc de Triomphe!
We will then walk along Rue des Francs Bourgeois, one of the longer and more interesting streets in the Marais district, known for being trendy with its numerous fashion boutiques.
Following on, you will see the Hôtel Carnavalet, one of the rare examples of Renaissance architecture in Paris, along with the Louvre’s square courtyard. Along with the Hotel Carnavalet, you will discover the Musée Carnavalet, a museum which highlights the Paris’ past and reveals the city’s diverse personality.
We will then walk along Rue des Rosières, a little street which lies at the center of the Jewish quarter.
Next you will see the Jardin des Rosiers, a little garden tucked between hotels and hidden behind boutiques. This hidden place is named to honor Jospeh Migneret, a school principal who helped dozens of students by hiding them in his home during WW2 and who was eventually arrested and killed.
Coming close to the end of your tour, you will make your way to the Centre Pompidou, the infamous contemporary museum known for its exterior that was designed in the style of high-tech architecture. The idea for this multicultural complex was to bring together different forms of art and literature in one place, as part of the ideas from France’s first Minister of Cultural Affairs.
We will end our tour at Hôtel de Ville, the building housing the city’s local administration. It has been the headquarters of the municipality of Paris since 1357.
Just next to Hôtel de Ville, you will catch a glimpse of the Église Saint-Gervais Saint-Protais, the first example of the French baroque style in Paris. A parish church until 1975, it is now the headquarters of the Monastic Fraternities of Jerusalem.
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Additional Info
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Reviews
Hugo was terrific. His knowledge and love of history was shown in his enthusiasm as he guided through the 2.5 hour tour. I thought a 2.5 hour tour might be cumbersome but he made it interesting and his easy manner and humor made the time fly by. I definitely recommend Hugo as a tour guide.
Interesting tour and fantastic tour guide!
Florian was a fantastic guide! So knowledgeable on so many layers of history! We could have walked on for hours more listening to and learning from him.
This guided tour was the highlight of our trip to Paris. Alasdair (?) was absolutely AMAZING. He's an actor -- he danced and pranced, did great impersonations of historical figures and kept us laughing for two-and-a-half hours. However, it wasn't all silliness -- he is incredibly knowledgeable and we learned SO much. I can't thank him enough or recommend him more highly, We'd follow him anywhere!
I thought it was only $50 and charged $90 I don't know why. Please let me know why I was charged so.much Not worth it
Our guide, Florian, was great. He had great knowledge of the district's history and presented it in an entertaining way. I learned many things about the jewish history in France as well as mid-evil and the resonance eras of France. I highly recommend this tour and Florian specifically. Much thanks to Florian!
It was an excellent, entertaining, and informative tour. Florian was great, it was like walking around with a knowledgeable friend.
Tamar was excellent. She is kind, knowledgeable and good managing the tour. She also was informative re: the Jewish history and character of Marais. I highly recommend her.
One of the best tours we have ever gone on. Very thorough and Alasdair is an excellent guide. His knowledge was amazing.
Hugo was an incredible guide- knowledgeable in history and architecture, humorous and good natured. The group was small enough to hear him and have the opportunity to ask questions.
The tour of the Marais and Jewish Quarter was very well presented and interesting. Sophia was an outstanding guide. The tour also helped me identify places I wanted to go back to later.
Tamar was a wonderful guide! She is very knowledgeable, interesting and personable. We learned a lot and thoroughly enjoyed our experience. Would highly recommend!
This was an excellent tour to learn about Le Marais and specifically the significant history of the Jewish quarter. Our tour guide, Francois, was very knowledgeable and personable. His skills as a storyteller enhanced the extensive and detailed information he provided as we traveled through the area. In addition, Francois provided guidance and recommendations for where to go and what to do when we were on our own in Le Marais. We highly recommend both this tour and, specifically, Francois.
Great tour. Alasdair was amazing. One of our best walking tour guides (and that is saying a lot). Full of information and so entertaining. You can tell he loves what he does. And the Marais section is wonderful. So glad we went on this tour and Alasdair was our guide.
Great tour. Alasdair was amazing. One of our best walking tour guides (and that is saying a lot). Full of information and so entertaining. You can tell he loves what he does. And the Marais section is wonderful. So glad we went on this tour and Alasdair was our guide.
Eden was an excellent guide and presenter!
We toured the Morais neighborhood and felt it was a valuable experience having known very little about the area. Anatole was very knowledgeable and very enthusiastic about the area we learned so many things about the community in the history.
Alasdair was the perfect tour guide. He was entertaining, knowledgeable, clear, pleasant, and a thoroughly delightful companion. I don't think we've ever had a better tour guide.
What a great tour with Eden in Le Marais in Paris! She started our tour with a nice explanation of the history of Paris and the forming of each arrondissement. We then explored the neighborhood learning about how the architecture reflected the times. We went to the holocaust memorial and she pointed out how the Jewish children taken by the Nazis are still honored today. It was a beautiful and haunting experience. I highly recommend this tour to anyone interested in history.
Florian gave us a wonderful guided tour of Le Marais. He covered major landmarks, historic sites, and picturesque streets while sharing rich historical insights throughout. Excellent experience!
Enjoyed Florian so much!!!! I loved learning more Parisian history.
Our guide Florian gave a tour of the Marais that covered the colorful history of this neighborhood, from its original inhabitants, through its development as an aristocratic district, the French Revolution and its becoming a haven for European Jews, through the War period and post-war rehabilitation, all the way through to present day. We saw many local gems we would never have discovered on our own. The tour was well-paced, informative, and entertaining. The highlight of our 4-day trip to Paris.
What a thoroughly enjoyable and educational tour led by Florian. I would take this tour again in a heartbeat. The tour covered all parts of the Marais. The tour group received a thorough, easily understood, yet detailed history of this beautiful section of Paris. Any additional questions tour members had about architecture, religion and general French history were answered with expertise. This is a must take tour. John G
Florian was a superb guide!!!
Wonderful!!! Amazing quite loved Florian.
Tamari, our guide, was absolutely lovely. She was funny, oh so knowledgeable, and a true delight. I learned so much about history from her. Highly recommend this tour.
Our tour guide, Eden provided an excellent experience. The cost of the tour was reasonable and I feel good value for money. The tour was long enough to receive a good amount of information and visit relevant sites. I would happily go on another tour with Eden.
Great Marais tour with Eden! She showed us so much and gave us fabulous insights to the Jewish Quarter.
Alistair was the best guide we ever had. His knowledge of the area and environments was sensational. His depth of knowledge was extraordinary. His English was impeccable and his demeanor was terrific.
Alasdair was amazing. We came with our family and learned so much! He was very informative and funny and I highly recommend!
Wonderful and informative trip on the Le Maris district. History, architecture, and more are covered in this walking tour. Sophie was so helpful and made it clear where we would start. She was able to be reached via text which I have never had a tour guide do. We saw many things we wouldn’t have noticed on our own. Wealth of knowledge was given.
Tamari was exceptional! She was a great tour guide with so much insight into exactly what we were interested in exploring. We would love to tour with her again. She was charming, sweet, funny, and her wealth of knowledge was incredible. Thank you so much for an amazing time!
Ruben was great! Very knowledgeable and friendly and walked us around the Marais. We learned a lot about the area’s history. Thanks, Ruben!
Florian was super knowledgeable. Great tour. One of the best guides I’ve had! Highly recommend him specifically.
Grounded in history of the Marais district and Parisian empire Walking while learning about important events and architecture in the area
A fabulous person with a wealth of knowledge. Humorous and charming. Learned so many layers of history. Experienced in the area
So happy I booked this tour guide! Tamari was excellent, had deep knowledge of historical and social issues and very friendly! I loved it and actually I am looking for the next tour!
Alisdair is a wealth of history and information. He will take you through 1200plus years of history through architecture, kings, quick stories, and a look into the past with lightheartednesses and gravitas as dictated by the situation. Highly highly recommend!
Very interesting and educational tour of the Marais, didn’t stop in convenient spaces for discussion, so often we felt we were clogging up the sidewalk with people fighting to get by.
Wow, this was a tour you shouldn’t miss. Didn’t realize all the incredible history in this district. Learned a lot about French history, architecture, and customs. And then there is our guide Alastair S. He was incredibly knowledgeable, funny, and entertaining. He absolutely made the experience memorable. Highly recommend this tour and you half to ask for Alastair.
Florian was terrific and very knowledgeable. He was extremely helpful because we were late getting to the tour.
We had an excellent experience! Alasdair was a wonderful tour guide. He was super knowledgeable and entertaining. My family and I thoroughly enjoyed it and we highly recommend this tour and Alisdair!
Our tour guide (Alasidar) was amazing! He is knowledgeable, energetic and respectful.
Really fantastic tour. Our guide was very knowledgeable and personable. The history of the Marais is very important and this tour helped explain why. Our guide also covered modern Marais which is helpful as a tourist.
The tour was fascinating and Sophia was incredibly knowledgeable. I highly recommend this to others.
Sophia was an incredible source of information as she guided us through the Marais district. We walked at a comfortable pace and gained a deep understanding of all the sites we encountered, which brought the neighborhood's history to life. It was an excellent tour.
Wonderful and informative experience. Our guide Tamari was so kind and informative. Would highly recommend this tour.
Eden was an amazing guide, very knowledgeable and she adjusted the tour to the participants desires. Her English was perfect as well.
It was a pleasure taking this tour with our guide, Georgia. She was flexible and understanding, flawlessly adjusting the itinerary to accommodate my mobility concerns. She was able to captivate this old lady, as well as my 16-year-old niece, with interesting stories and fun anecdotes that brought this part of the city to life. She also gave us great recommendations for the rest of our visit to Paris. Thanks Georgia!
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