Pariss most up-and-coming neighborhood, Le Marais, has managed to evolve into the most sought-after area for shopping.
The district of Le Marais lies between the 3rd and 4th arrondissement of Paris and stretches from Place de la République to the banks of the Seine. Today, it is one of the most charming and vibrant neighborhoods of the French capital, ideal for shopping and going out at any hour of the day. The name Le Marais in Greek translates as marsh or swamp and came from the fact that it was once a wetland, before gradually developing into an area filled with grand townhouses, arcades, and buildings from the 17th–18th centuries.
Le Marais blends history with a modern spirit, hosting museums, galleries, restaurants, cafés and, of course, some of Paris’s most intriguing shops. The neighborhood also has a historic connection with the Jewish community, as streets like Rue des Rosiers lie at the heart of the old Jewish quarter. If you stroll the area on Sundays, you’ll encounter mostly young people and lovers of style and fashion waiting in lines to sit down for brunch. One hallmark of Le Marais is that the shops are open on Sundays as well.
The streets you should stroll in Le Marais
Unlike the grand luxury boutiques of the Champs-Élysées, in Le Marais you’ll find shops that are little hidden treasures favored by locals. Gradually, the area has managed to become the most sought-after for shopping and strolling, with one store opening after another at a rapid pace.
Visit Rue des Francs-Bourgeois, considered the neighborhood’s main street, with fashion-forward shops, small boutiques and fragrance stores. There you’ll also find the Musée Carnavalet - Histoire de Paris, the museum where you will learn more about the history of Paris during the 16th and 17th centuries. Don’t miss a stroll through Place des Vosges with its striking architecture and lovely cafés.
Rue Vieille du Temple, beyond the shops, also has galleries and cafés, while on Rue de Bretagne you’ll visit the covered food market Marché des Enfants Rouges. On Boulevard Beaumarchais you’ll find concept stores, on Rue Charlot and Rue des Archives you’ll do vintage shopping and discover the National Archives Museum - Hôtel de Soubise (National Archives Museum), while on Rue des Rosiers there are quite a few interesting showrooms.
The standout shops in the area
Concept stores, fashion and lifestyle
In Le Marais there are many renowned concept stores, filling daily with fashion girls from the city and from all over the world. One of Paris’s most famous is Merci, with clothing, decor, design objects, and a famous café- bookshop where you can take a breather. One of the most famous concept stores on the planet, Dover Street Market, is a fashion and art space that is a relatively recent arrival on the neighborhood’s streets. The The Broken Arm combines fashion with lifestyle objects and great coffee, while at Ofr Librairie, Galerie you’ll find everything from clothes to books.
Stores from international brands have opened branches here, such as Uniqlo and Muji from Japan and, a favorite among minimalist girls, COS. In the neighborhood you’ll also find Le BHV Marais, the jewel department store of Rue de Rivoli, with clothing, shoes, homeware and accessories, as well as a rooftop with impressive views.
Beauty and fragrances
The area is also famed for its well-curated beauty stores with an emphasis on fragrances. Here you’ll find the impressive perfume boutique of the house of Chanel and the popular BYREDO and Diptyque with their rich collections of scents and candles. Officine Universelle Buly 1803 feels like a journey through time, with old-pharmacy wooden shelves filled with vintage perfume bottles, while Oh My Cream! includes a wide variety of cosmetics.
Vintage shopping
Le Marais is famous for its vintage and second hand stores. There you’ll find well-known chains such as Kilo Shop, but also many small shops like FREE’P’STAR and Bimbo Vintage Club. You’ll notice, however, that there are also shops such as THE ROOΜ, The Parisian Vintage and The Vintage Society that look more like contemporary boutiques and have a more modern aesthetic.
Bookstores
The area is filled with lovely little bookstores, first and foremost the famous bookstore of the Merci department store, which has been voted one of the most beautiful in the world. As you wander, you’ll encounter La Mouette Rieuse - Librairie, the picturesque Librairie du Globe, and Librairie La Belle Lurette, which also offers a large collection of children’s books and postcards.
