Gourmet Marais

Highlights / General details

Wander through the best preserved medieval neighborhood in Paris

Sample a selection of some of France’s best wines or brandies

Indulge in plates of cheese or charcuterie and taste a creation from Paris's most famed macaron chef

Discover the centre of the city’s Jewish and gay communities

Spot the hidden squares, tucked-away alleyways, and marvellous churches of Marais

Inclusion

Local English-speaking guide; 2 different pastries and the best macaron in Paris; A platter of French cheese or charcuterie; Wine and liquor tasting.

Exclusion

Hotel pick-up and drop-off; Additional food and beverages; Souvenirs and items of a personal nature; Gratuities for your local guide.

Hours of operation

Available Tuesday - Saturday at 2:00pm.

Duration

Approximately 3 - 4 hours.

Location

Meeting Point: In front of Notre-Dame Cathedral, under the statue of Charlemagne. Your guide will be holding a Paris Urban Adventures sign.

Ending Point: Place des Vosges/Bastille.

Itinerary

Join a local guide to discover the enigmatic charms of France’s capital on this enlightening Paris city tour that pairs secret local hangouts with delicious food and wine — a winning combo!

You’ll start your Paris tour in front in front of the Notre-Dame Cathedral and then move on to the Hôtel de Ville, the city’s town hall, on the square where public executions were once carried out. Learn about the horrible death of Robert-François Damiens, the infamous man who tried to assassinate King Louis XV.

We’ll then move on to the little tangled streets of the Marais to spot beautiful medieval churches, corbelled houses, and narrow lanes. We’ll also pass by an iconic bakery whose baguette was elected one of the best in Paris and we’ll try our first pastry, a delicious meringue known as a ‘merveilleux.’

Next, we’ll visit Rue Saint-Croix-de-la-Bretonnerie, one of the oldest streets in the Marais, and today the center of the French gay scene. You’ll learn how this part of city, once sordid, became synonymous with trendy Paris, and a shopping hub for fashionistas and the core of “bobo” culture. While we’re here, we’ll stop and sample a delicious macaron from one of Paris’ most famous pastry chefs.

Just a street away is Rue des Rosiers, the heart of the Jewish community. It’s a vibrant pedestrian street full of falafel stands and delicious Jewish-influenced delis. We’ll enter a fabulous chocolate store to taste a butter-filled pastry, called Kouign Amann, a specialty from Brittany.

Our Paris tour will then take us back to the South Marais, where stands the longest remaining piece of the 12th-century defensive wall of Paris. After a walk through impressive Saint-Paul’s church, we’ll stop in at a local wine bar, where we’ll get a professional wine tasting. We’ll sample some iconic French liqueurs like Cognac and Armagnac or “Old Plum” brandy. To accompany our drinks, we’ll also taste some delicious French cheese or charcuterie treats.

From there we’ll move on to Paris’ oldest and certainly 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 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!

Additional Information

Please wear comfortable walking shoes, and bring an umbrella for rainy days.

Participant restrictions

Children younger than 6 are permitted at no extra cost, but please make sure you inform our guides of this before you take the tour.

Policies

Cancellation: 2 days prior 100% penalty. No show 100% penalty.

Complete information, including local telephone numbers at your destination, will be included on your Confirmation Voucher.

**All information requested must be supplied or booking is subject to automatic cancellation**