Guide · Updated June 15, 2026
Le Marais & the banks of the Seine: what to see and do
It's one of the finest walks in Paris: a district that kept its medieval layout, extended by UNESCO-listed riverbanks. Here is how to discover Le Marais and the banks of the Seine, by the team that set up its time machine right there.
Le Marais, the Paris before Haussmann
Largely spared by the great works of the 19th century, Le Marais kept its narrow streets, its private mansions and its old-world atmosphere. Don't miss the Place des Vosges (1612, the oldest square in Paris), the Carnavalet Museum, devoted entirely to the history of Paris, and free, and the Picasso Museum.
Towards the Seine: Hôtel de Ville and Île Saint-Louis
Heading down to the river, you reach the Place de l'Hôtel-de-Ville, the former Place de Grève where goods once docked in the Middle Ages. Across the water, Île Saint-Louis and Île de la Cité offer one of the finest panoramas of the capital, unchanged for centuries.
The riverside walk, where history was written
Beneath Pont Louis-Philippe, the pedestrian quays run along the right bank of the Seine. This is exactly where The Origins of Paris takes place: a one-hour guided walk where, at each stop, virtual-reality Binoculars bring back the Paris of Lutetia, the Middle Ages or 1889, aligned onto the landscape in front of you. A true historical visit of Paris, open-air.
What else to do nearby?
- The Centre Pompidou and the Stravinsky Fountain, 5 minutes away.
- Rue des Rosiers and the historic Pletzl.
- A pause on the lower quays of Île Saint-Louis at sunset.
- For more ideas, see our guide to unusual things to do in Paris.
Frequently asked questions
What to do in Le Marais in Paris?
Wander rue des Rosiers, visit the Carnavalet Museum (history of Paris, free) or the Picasso Museum, admire the Place des Vosges, and head down to the riverbanks. Le Marais kept part of its medieval layout, making it one of the most authentic districts of Paris.
Where to walk along the Seine in Paris?
The right-bank quays, between Pont Louis-Philippe and the Hôtel de Ville, offer a unique view over Île Saint-Louis and Île de la Cité, pedestrian, free, and UNESCO-listed. This is where The Origins of Paris experience takes place.
What is the oldest district of Paris?
The Île de la Cité, cradle of Lutetia, is the oldest. On the Right Bank, Le Marais preserves a remarkably intact medieval and Renaissance fabric, partly spared by Haussmann.