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!

Wander through the best-preserved medieval neighborhood in Paris
Try a delicious merveilleux from a local pastry
Discover the center of the city’s Jewish and LGBTQIA+ communities
Spot the hidden squares, tucked-away alleyways, local street art, and marvelous churches of Marais

This tour ends at Place des Vosges/Bastille
This private tour is priced for a minimum group size of two travelers. A solo traveler may still book the private experience but will be charged the base rate for two travelers
We reserve the right to change both the route and places visited within the tour. Food inclusions are subject to change, dependent on availability on the day
The maximum number of passengers is 12 people
We can accommodate vegetarians and gluten-free customers
During your tour, you will pick up some responsible travel tips from your guide, such as where to find freshwater when you need to fill up your bottle, or where to shop in a sustainable manner.
While it is strongly recommended that all travelers are vaccinated against COVID-19 to reduce the risk of transmission and avoid putting undue strain on healthcare services, vaccinations are not a requirement to join an Intrepid Urban Adventures tour. For further information, please review COVID-19 Health & Safety at https://www.urbanadventures.com/en/about-us/covid-19-customer-info

Cancellation policy

Receive a 100% refund if you cancel up to 24 hours before the experience begins.

Local English-speaking guide
A special pastry called "Merveilleux"

Additional food and drink
Tips and gratuities for your guide

Booking fee

Good news! No extra fees are applied to this booking.

Location

123 Rue Saint-Martin, 75004 Paris, France

Meeting point:

Please meet your guide at the meeting point opposite the Pompidou centre by the "Centre Culturel de Serbie". Your guide will be holding a Paris Urban Adventures sign.