Morning: Place des Vosges
Start at Place des Vosges, 100 m from our door. Commissioned by Henri IV and inaugurated in 1612 as Place Royale, it is one of the oldest planned squares in Paris: thirty-six pavilions of red brick and white stone, arcades, a garden in the middle. Go early: the light on the brick is lovely and the arcades are quiet.
Under the arcades, at no. 6, is Victor Hugo’s house, where the writer lived from 1832 to 1848. The museum is a good add-on if you love literature. To cross without going back out into the street, walk through the passage of Hôtel de Sully, which links the square to rue Saint-Antoine, right next to us.
Late morning: Carnavalet or Picasso
Musée Carnavalet tells the story of Paris across two neighbouring mansions, from prehistory to today. It reopened in 2021 after a long renovation, and its collections cover the whole history of the city. If you prefer modern art, Musée Picasso occupies Hôtel Salé on rue de Thorigny. Pick one: both in a single morning is a lot.
Lunch
Marché des Enfants Rouges, on rue de Bretagne, considered the oldest covered market in Paris (1615), was destroyed by a fire on 12 October 2026; a rebuild has been announced, with no date. Meanwhile, have lunch at the restaurants of rue de Bretagne and the nearby streets. For a more traditional table, see our guide to where to eat near Bastille.
Afternoon: rue des Rosiers and the lanes
Walk on to rue des Rosiers, the historic heart of the Jewish quarter of the Marais, then lose yourself in the small streets around it: hidden courtyards, designers’ shops, bookshops. The best of the Marais is often behind a doorway: push open the doors that are open and step into the courtyards.
Evening: back via Bastille
Return along rue Saint-Antoine, lined with shops, to Place de la Bastille. In the evening the streets around the square come alive with bars, terraces and restaurants. Your room is 200 m away, and reception is open 24 hours a day if you come back late.
Good to know. Wear comfortable shoes: the route is about three kilometres in all, with no hills. Opening hours and prices change: check each venue’s official website before you go.
Frequently asked questions
Can I see Le Marais in one day?
Yes: a walking route from Place des Vosges to Bastille covers the essentials in a day.