Recently Viewed
Marais Walking Tour: Explore Parisian History
4.9
375 Ratings
Paris
Uncover the hidden gems of Paris’s historic royal district with a 2.5-hour semi-private walking tour of the Marais, limited to 12 guests. Wander through charming streets, courtyards, and grand mansions with your knowledgeable guide in this iconic Parisian neighborhood.
Uncover the hidden gems of Paris’s historic royal district with a 2.5-hour semi-private walking tour of the Marais, limited to 12 guests. Wander through charming streets, courtyards, and grand mansions with your knowledgeable guide in this iconic Parisian neighborhood.
Duration:
2 hours, 30 minutes
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- Le Marais - Begin by appreciating the historical significance of the Marais, which was once outside the central area of Paris but is now at its core. Visit the Church of Saint Paul and Saint Louis, then explore the courtyard of the grand Hotel de Sully. Continue to delve into the royal history of the Marais by visiting the immaculate Place des…
- Le Marais - Begin by appreciating the historical significance of the Marais, which was once outside the central area of Paris but is now at its core. Visit the Church of Saint Paul and Saint Louis, then explore the courtyard of the grand Hotel de Sully. Continue to delve into the royal history of the Marais by visiting the immaculate Place des Vosges, a public square renowned for its beauty in Paris. Then, journey through time to learn about the vibrant Jewish community that made the Marais famous during the 18th and 19th centuries. Explore the bakeries and shops of the Pletzl before wandering down the shop-filled rue des Francs Bourgeois. Along the way, you’ll encounter mansion after mansion, former residences of the nobility who once lived in the Marais. Some of these are now museums, such as the highly recommended Musée Carnavalet. The tour may also include visits to both the Hotel de Ville, or City Hall, and the Pompidou Center, both architectural marvels from different eras.
- Eglise Saint-Paul Saint-Louis - The tour begins with a visit to the 17th-century St-Paul-St-Louis church, constructed by the Jesuits with a design inspired by the Gesù church in Rome.
- Jardin de l’Hotel de Sully - Next, the tour passes by the Hotel de Sully, a building erected between 1624 and 1630. Designed by architects Jean 1er Androuet du Cerceau and Yves Boiret in the Renaissance style with Baroque elements, the hotel’s construction is part of a broader movement of monumental building in this area of Paris.
- Place des Vosges - The tour then proceeds to Place des Vosges, the oldest planned square in Paris. A visit to the Marais without admiring Place des Vosges is like walking the Champs Elysees without seeing the Arc de Triomphe!
- Rue des Francs Bourgeois - The tour continues along Rue des Francs Bourgeois, one of the longer and more intriguing streets in the Marais district, known for its trendy fashion boutiques.
- Musee Carnavalet - Histoire de Paris - Next, the tour visits the Hôtel Carnavalet, a rare example of Renaissance architecture in Paris, alongside the Louvre’s square courtyard. Along with the Hotel Carnavalet, the Musée Carnavalet is explored, a museum that highlights Paris’ history and showcases the city’s diverse character.
- La Rue des Rosiers - The tour then moves along Rue des Rosières, a quaint street at the heart of the Jewish quarter.
- Jardin des Rosiers - Joseph-Migneret - Next, the tour visits the Jardin des Rosiers, a small garden nestled between hotels and hidden behind boutiques. This secluded spot is named in honor of Joseph Migneret, a school principal who saved many students by hiding them in his home during WW2, and who was eventually arrested and killed.
- Centre Pompidou - Nearing the end of the tour, the group heads to the Centre Pompidou, the renowned contemporary museum famous for its high-tech architectural exterior. This multicultural complex was conceived to unite various forms of art and literature in one location, inspired by ideas from France’s first Minister of Cultural Affairs.
- Hotel de Ville - The tour concludes at Hôtel de Ville, the building that houses the city’s local administration. It has served as the headquarters of the municipality of Paris since 1357.
- Eglise Saint-Gervais Saint-Protais - Adjacent to Hôtel de Ville, the tour offers a glimpse of the Église Saint-Gervais Saint-Protais, the first example of French baroque style in Paris. It served as a parish church until 1975 and is now the headquarters of the Monastic Fraternities of Jerusalem.

What's Included
- Professional tour guide
- Duration 2.5 hours
- Semi-private walking tour
- Tour will run, rain or shine
- Group size is never more than 12 guests
- Professional tour guide
- Duration 2.5 hours
- Semi-private walking tour
- Tour will run, rain or shine
- Group size is never more than 12 guests
What's Not Included
- Tour Price Does NOT Include Hotel Pickup or Drop-Off (We Recommend UBER or Taxi)
- Tour Does NOT Include Gratuities (OPTIONAL)
- This tour is not recommended for those with walking disabilities or using a wheelchair
- Tour Price Does NOT Include Hotel Pickup or Drop-Off (We Recommend UBER or Taxi)
- Tour Does NOT Include Gratuities (OPTIONAL)
- This tour is not recommended for those with walking disabilities or using a wheelchair
Additional Information
- It is imperative that you provide us with guests MOBILE PHONE NUMBER (including country code)
- A maximum of 12 people per tour allowed
- Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
- Minimum numbers apply. This tour will not run without a minimum of 2 guests to meet requirements. In the event of this occurring, you will be offered…
- It is imperative that you provide us with guests MOBILE PHONE NUMBER (including country code)
- A maximum of 12 people per tour allowed
- Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
- Minimum numbers apply. This tour will not run without a minimum of 2 guests to meet requirements. In the event of this occurring, you will be offered an alternative date or full refund.
- Notes: The tour route may be affected by national celebrations. When this occurs, we will provide guests with an alternative route still being able to see all the highlights on the tour. In these cases we are unable to provide refunds or discounts. No large bags or suitcases are allowed during this tour. We recommend comfortable shoes, a bottle of water, umbrella in case of rain and hat during summer. Due to increased security measures at many attractions some can’t be visited from the inside.
- 100% Satisfaction Guarantee – Important Details We stand by our commitment to providing the best tour experience. If for any reason your experience did not meet expectations, we offer a 100% Guarantee under the following conditions: 1. Contact Us Within 24 Hours – To qualify for any potential refund or resolution, you must reach out to us within 24 hours of your tour. 2. Give Us a Chance to Make It Right – Before posting any negative reviews online, please allow us the opportunity to address your concerns. We take pride in our customer service and are committed to finding a fair solution. To request a resolution, please contact us at after tour. We appreciate your feedback and look forward to ensuring every guest has an amazing experience!
- This tour does not include entry into any synagogues, as access is restricted to worshippers for security reasons.
Location
Saint-Paul
Metro exit Saint Paul (Line 1). Meet your guide outside of the exit of the metro station on the opposite side of the stairs next to Metro sign SAINT PAUL
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.9
(375 Ratings)
5 stars
4 stars
3 stars
2 stars
1 star
Carolynny1234
Mar 2, 2026
Informative, fun and a great sense of lifestyle of a special neighborhood in Paris today and the history. - Edem Mele our tour guide was excellent. She was informative and super pleasant to spend time with. The tour was a perfect mix of Marais' history, Jewish influence and the community it is today. We think this was a highlight of our trip.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jill_c
Feb 23, 2026
Before the tour we... - Before the tour we understood that Le Marais had been shaped by history and wanted to know the specifics. Hugo, our guide and lifelong student of history, was incredibly knowledgeable and interesting. We walked the area and learned about the architecture, the changes caused by revolution, and the influence of certain people. The tour was well worth the time and money spent.
Review provided by Viator
Jay_k
Feb 19, 2026
Jewish walking tour - Our guide, Alasdair, was outstanding—informative, engaging, and an absolute delight throughout the tour. He thoughtfully covered the Jewish heritage of the area and clearly explained how it intertwined with the broader history of France. We came away with a much deeper understanding and appreciation. I highly recommend this tour!
Review provided by Viator
Mvrvilo
Feb 15, 2026
Wonderful Le Marais District & Jewish Quarter Guided Walking Tour - I had the best experience today exploring
Le Marais District & Jewish Quarter with our guide Hugo. Hugo is extremely knowledgable and passionate about French and Parisian history, stories were fun and engaging, and I was really impressed with his storytelling. Made me want to learn more about history of Paris. This was one of my favorite guided tours in Paris.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Catherine_w
Jan 30, 2026
Great tour of the Marais - A wonderful way to spend the morning in one of the most charming neighborhoods in Paris! Eden was a lovely guide. She was warm, funny, and knowledgeable about the history of the neighborhood and happily answered all of our many questions. Highly recommend!
Review provided by Viator
Frenchiesrule
Jan 30, 2026
Paris by Eden is a must! - My friends and I spent 2.5 hours with our wonderful tour guide, Eden. Though a native Parisian, Eden spoke English fluently and shared a wealth of fascinating information about the history of the Marais district and was great at answering all the questions we had. She ended the tour with recommendations for dining and other spots to visit. Highly recommended!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Ilinva
Jan 1, 2026
Perfect walking tour of le Marais - Our experience with Babylon Tours in Paris was nothing short of wonderful! Our guide, Hugo, was engaging and personable, weaving stories from his vast knowledge of history. His tales really made the city come alive. Hugo’s professional yet friendly demeanor made each moment enjoyable, and he gave charismatic insight into both the famous and the hidden gems of Paris. It was tough to get two teens out of their beds but they were thrilled they went on the tour. Thank you for such a memorable adventure!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jerry_r
Jan 1, 2026
Knowledgeable guide with personality - Hugo was an absolute blessing for us. He is very knowledgeable and personal. His dedication to detail of the Jewish quarter and the history of Paris was incredible. He would be our go to guide for anything “Paris”. Best experience of our trip.
Review provided by Viator
Octavia_t
Dec 29, 2025
The Best Walking Tour - Hugo was an amazing guide! We took a total of four walking tours during our holiday in Paris, and this one was by far the best. His deep knowledge, engaging storytelling, and thoughtful insights into the city’s history and local culture made the experience truly exceptional. It was an unforgettable walking tour that we would highly recommend to anyone visiting Paris.
Review provided by Viator
Allysha_l
Dec 24, 2025
Francois truly loves the... - Francois truly loves the neighborhood, its architecture and its history - his joy in giving this tour was infectious. My teenagers even agreed it was the most fun tour of our trip.
Review provided by Viator