13.28.a - Paris: Memories of the Marais - cool, lively, energetic, historic - 75003

I have superb memories of the Marais, on the right bank in Paris, especially the 3rd Arrondissement, referred to as 'le Haut Marais' or north Marais. Don't miss my personal favourites list.

If you’re enjoying this ‘le Bulletin’ please consider providing support by upgrading - it’s as if you’re buying me one cup of ‘café’ or a ‘chocolat chaud’ monthly. Merci. Judy. 15.7.23

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1. Paris: Memories of the Marais - cool, lively, energetic, historic

Over a period of years, my visits to Paris were based in the North Marais, on the right bank, perhaps twice or three times a year, each for a period of three to four weeks. These are wonderful memories. Do you have memories of the Marais too?

The Marais is very different from Saint Germain, for instance, that I wrote about in the free ‘le Bulletin’ last week, it comprises two arrondissements/districts: 75003 and 75004… Think narrow streets and a more shambolic design and layout - charming - not Hausmannian.

Don’t be mistaken or misled my favourite district is le Haut-Marais - 75003.

Created in 1859, the 3rd arrondissement of Paris officially named ‘arrondissement du Temple‘, on the right bank of the Seine River, is centrally located. Lively and energetic, this area comprises the northern part of the famous Marais neighborhood (‘le Haut-Marais’ or ‘le troisième’), where numerous bars, restaurants, trendy shops, and unique boutiques attract tourists and Parisians alike. And don’t forget the amazing galleries, museums, and hidden gardens. The ‘third’ features narrow streets and Medieval and Renaissance architectural styles. I love it!

Don’t miss my huge personal favourites list of le Haut Marais below!

36. Haut-Marais, Paris

Think you know the Marais? Think again. This isn’t the tourist-crammed Rue des Rosiers we’re on about: this is the artsy triangle that covers the often-overlooked area between Rambuteau, Temple and Saint-Sébastien Froissart. And why exactly do we—and so many other locals—rate it? These past few years, all sorts of super-stylish hangouts have popped up almost out of nowhere. There’s Enfants du Marché, an excellent wine bar-cum-restaurant tucked inside the Marché des Enfants Rouges; contemporary art galleries … countless vintage shops and concept stores with an ethical bent (bonjour Merci). And perhaps most significantly, for us at least, the neighborhood has been at the forefront of Paris’s mixology scene for going on a decade now. In fact, two of the best bars in the world (according to us) are to be found in the area. Santé to that! “ according to Time Out - Haut-Marais named 36th coolest place in the world.