The Haut Marais

The Haut Marais is buzzing. Roughly the area between the Musée National Picasso and the Place de la République, it’s a perfect place to explore for its galleries, cute one-off boutiques and plenty of funky cafés and restaurants for refueling. It’s off the well-trodden tourist path but in proximity to the city center. Travelers with trendy teens who are tired of monumental sight-seeing should certainly not miss a walk through this lovely neighborhood which, with any luck, will resist the gentrification that has, sadly, befallen some streets of the Marais. Here’s what’s not to miss.

Note: Many of the independent boutiques are closed on Sunday. It’s best to visit this area on Saturday or during the week.

Best Boutiques

• Le Grand Bonton (children’s store)
• Merci (concept store)

Best Shopping Streets

• Rue Vieille du Temple: Along the upper part of this street you will find such shops as Les Petites (no. 98), Vanessa Bruno (no. 100) and A.P.C. (no. 112). En route peek into Yvon Lambert gallery (no. 108) for the latest art show.
• Rue de Saintonge: Don’t miss Isabel Marant (no. 47), Dolls (no. 56) and Tigersushi Furs (no. 27)
• Rue de Bretagne: Stop by the neighborhood’s classic Marché des Enfants Rouge, Paris’s oldest covered market.
• Rue du Poitou: For feminine fashion, stop by Ekjo, conceived by a South Korean designer.

Best for a Quick Bite

• La Petite Place
• Carette
• Merci Cinema Café

Best for Lunch or Dinner

• Breizh Café
• Café des Musées