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Bars, Cafés and Brasseries
in The Marais District
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There simply isn't anything like it... a Paris café.
Published first By Adrian Leeds in parlerparis.com
There simply isn't anything like it...a Paris café.
Writers have spent their lives recording their thoughts in them. Love affairs have begun in them. Friends have become enemies and enemies have become friends in them. Business deals have been made in them.
I suspect that anything that's ever been done has been done in them...at least at one time or another. A Paris café is not about eating or drinking or smoking (and now only at the tables on the sidewalk!). It's not about what they serve, to whom it's served or who serves it. It's not about the kind of tables or chairs that fill them.
A Paris café is about communication. It's the stage that is set for every form of exchange of ideas and emotions. It's about language...the language of words, of love, of music.
There are more than 2000 cafés in the City of Light...these centers of intercourse, connection, conversation, exchange...and life itself. They beckon you: "Come, have a seat. Refresh yourself. Take notice of life around you. Talk with friends. Or just gaze at humanity itself. Dream. Contemplate. Plan. Stay as long as you like."
A day doesn't go by that I don't patronize at least one Paris café. Each one is just a little bit different. Each one takes on the personality of its owner. Each one takes on the ambiance of its patrons. I wonder often how it happens so easily that the patrons mirror the "patron" -- or is it any wonder at all?
We all have our favorites and do we know why? Who can explain why at the "Café Français" I've met the important loves of my life? Or why is it that when approaching "L'Etoile Manquante," a front row seat always opens up just in time to take it. The "Café du Marché" on the shady side of the street rivals The "Café Charlot" for the sunworshipers, but why is it that it feels like home while its rival seems so foreign? The same faces line the bar at "Le Petit Trou" -- would yours become one of them? Or do you prefer the "Café de Flore" for all its "glore?" rather than "Les Deux Magots" for those not in the know. And at Café de la Paix, are you willing to "paie" too much for a coffee just for a view of the Opéra Garnier?
There are cafés that are "chic" and cafés that are just plain "cheap." If the tables are round, the conversation is often profound. If the tables are square, more likely you'll be one of a pair. Sit in the sun -- it's clearly more fun. Go ahead, surf the Net -- if there's a signal to get. There is life in a Paris café. Your life. My life. Their life. It's old. It's young. It's naive. It's wise. Go ahead. Take a seat. Find your spot. Tell your tales. Leave your mark...in a Paris café. Which one will it be? |
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Read on to discover the favourite bars, cafés and brasseries in the popular Marais district as chosen by Parismarais.com. This is not a complete list of the hundreds of places you will find in le Marais, but only our own selections, the best places we have visited many times, enjoy for their location, style, ambiance and welcoming, and now recommend to you.
Quality of service in Paris can be a weak point for many international visitors. French waiters and bar managers have a reputation for being rude at times, and you may not find the same type of service as you would expect in an American establishment. Keep that in mind when you visit even recommended places – the culture in France is different, which is why you came to Paris in the first place, remember? Fortunately, times are changing, and the Anglophone concept of service is increasingly becoming the norm in France.
We have awarded the Marais bars listed here with a ranking of one*, two** or three*** stars, with three being the best. We want to hear from you – if you visit these places, give us your review and tell us how many stars you think they deserve. Write to info@Parismarais.com and we’ll publish your comments in our monthly newsletter. (Click here to subscribe for free)
 Parisian Bistrot Style
Le Marais *
4, rue de Sévigné, 75004 Paris
Tel: 01 42 77 82 21
Facing the fire station, this is the best place to see red trucks and life savers. This place has been recently redesigned.
Le Café du Marché *
37, rue de Bretagne, 75003 Paris
Tel: 01 42 72 28 12
Local café with a lovely terrace, open on Sundays. Cheap menu at lunchtime.
Arômes et Cépages **
39, rue Bretagne, 75003 Paris
Inside le Marché des Enfants Rouges, a great wine bar for a glass in the sun or quiet lunch for under 15 euros.
La Comète
6, rue des Archives, 75004 Paris
Tel: 01 42 72 10 27
Just below the beautiful Villa Mazarin 4 star hotel, this traditional terrace facing the BHV department store is the perfect meeting place before an afternoon of shopping nearby.
Café Charlot
39, rue Charlot, 75003 Paris
Open 7/7 from 7AM to 2AM
Sunny terrace and great lunch.
Au Petit Fer à Cheval *
30, rue Vieille du Temple, 75004 Paris
Tel: 01 42 72 47 47
Old style French bistro with a little terrace. A great place to meet. watch people and make comments…
Le Baromètre
17, rue Charlot, 75003 Paris
Tel: 01 48 87 04 54
Friendly wine bar just opposite the delicious F&B restaurant.
Le Blanc Cassis *
6, rue Dupetit Thouars 75003 Paris
Lovely terrace with a nice décor, next to the Carreau du Temple Market and Hotel du Vieux Saule.
Le Progrés *
1, rue de Bretagne, 75003 Paris
Tel: 01 42 72 01 44
Classic brasserie and French bistro at the corner of rues Bretagne and Turenne. The ideal place to read the morning paper with a nice cup of coffee.
Le 16 Bar **
16, rue Pastourelle 75003 Paris
Tel: 01 44 61 07 17
Friendly local bar next to the amazing perfume shop Etat Libre d’Orange. The bar and shop often organise events and street parties together.
L’Annexe
57, rue Quincampoix, 75004 Paris
Tel: 01 42 71 72 20
Creative crowd and ambiance.
A la Tour du Temple
160, bis rue du Temple, 75003 Paris
Tel: 01 42 72 13 44
The original stained glass décor makes this local café unique. It also offers a small terrace, just around the corner of rue Dupetit Thouars.
Le Troisième Chinon ***
56, rue des Archives, 75004 Paris
Tel: 01 48 87 94 68
Beautiful, colourful décor with a small terrace, just opposite The majestic Archives Museum on rue des Francs Bourgeois.
Les Marronniers *
18, rue des Archives, 75004 Paris
Tel: 01 40 27 87 72
One of the most popular terraces in the south Marais with Plats du jour and snacks for lunch. The best value is their hot chocolate « Spanish style ».
Les Philosophes **
28, rue Vieille du Temple, 75004 Paris
A popular terrace with a Parisian bistro décor, next to the funny Chaise au plafond bar, « Chair hanging from their ceiling ».
Little Café *
62, rue du Roi de Sicile, 75004 Paris
Friendly wine bar with a great location next to the famous Hotel du Bourg Tibourg, designed by Jacques Garcia.
Tout Arrive **
16, rue de la Verrerie, 75004 Paris
Tel: 01 42 77 15 12
Anything can happen at Tout Arrive… even meeting the right person at the right time! Nice gay and mixed crowd with happenings and events on weekends.
Au Carrefour
8, rue des Archives, 75004 Paris
There is nothing particularly special here, except a strategic corner next to BHV. This is the perfect place for a cheap coffee and making plans with your friends before you go shopping.
Le Sarah Bernhardt
2, place du Châtelet, 75004 Paris
Tel: 01 42 72 00 71
Big, classic brasserie style café. Not original, but a great place to meet up with friends before you to the theatre or Opéra du Châtelet, across the way.
Flag Café
5, boulevard Beaumarchais, 75004 Paris
Tel: 01 42 71 00 99
Cocktail bar with a small terrace on the Place de la Bastille.
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Trendy & Chic
Murano Bar ***
13, boulevard du Temple, 75003 Paris
This trendy, upscale bar is part of the Murano Urban Resort complex. Dare to push open the hotel doors and enter on your left. It hosts a chic clientele every evening. Their specialty is the amazing number of vodkas and cocktails. Deco and giant screens create a warm and innovative atmosphere.
Dandy's Café *
9, rue Nicolas Flamel, 75004 Paris
Tel: 01 42 71 45 42
Lovely terrace and a 1920’s style deco on a pedestrian street facing Gelati d’Alberto, the best ice cream maker in le Marais.
Apparemment Café *
18, rue des Coutures St Gervais, 75003 Paris
Tel: 01 48 87 12 22
Décor is the real plus of this place – it looks like a chalet with its wooden walls.
Le Dôme **
4, rue de Rivoli, 75004 Paris
Tel: 01 42 78 56 48
Big café-brasserie with a cosy and warm deco. Ideal for meeting friends to have a chat while sitting in the comfortable chairs and sofas
Café Baci ***
36, rue de Turenne, 75003 Paris
Tel: 01 42 71 36 70
Stylish neo-baroque place close to Hotel des Chevaliers. Service can be a bit arrogant, but this is just part of the French concept of luxury.
Café Beaubourg ***
rue Saint Martin, 75004 Paris
Facing the Pompidou Center at its south corner, this trendy café designed by Porzamparc, offers good food and drinks at any time of the day, and a nice terrace to sit in the sun.
Café des Arts et Métiers *
51, rue de Turbigo, 75003 Paris
Tel: 01 48 87 83 25
Fancy, neo-baroque deco. Large but noisy terrace and expensive drinks.
Café Français *
3, Place de la Bastille, 75004 Paris
Tel: 01 40 29 04 02
The best view on the ugliest opera house in the world!
Le Café Martini *
11, rue du Pas de la Mule, 75004 Paris
Tel: 01 42 77 05 04
Old style, Italian café, next to Place des Vosges.
Café Hugo *
Place des Vosges, 75004 Paris
Next to Victor Hugo’s house – a must visit too – this place is rather expensive due to its popular location.
Alternative Scene
Lizzard Lounge **
18, rue du Bourg Tibourg, 75004 Paris
Tel: 01 42 72 81 34
Australian, friendly and always busy with an English speaking crowd!
Pick-Clops *
16, rue Vieille du Temple, 75004 Paris
Tel: 01 40 29 02 18
Rock ’n’ roll style bar with a 1950’s deco.
Café Solo *
6, rue Charles François Dupuis, 75003 Paris
This café is also a record shop and hosts music parties. Very friendly, local crowd.
Les Chimères *
133, rue St Antoine, 75004 Paris
Tel: 01 42 72 71 97
Night bar with karaoké and dating possibilities of all kinds. Gogo boys and girls entertain on some evenings.
Columbus Café
25, rue Vieille du Temple, 75004 Paris
Tel: 01 42 72 20 11
An alternative to Starbucks with cookies, brownies and a large choice of American style coffee to take away.
La Belle Hortense ***
31, rue Vieille du Temple, 75004 Paris
Tel: 01 48 04 71 60
Wine bar, coffee house, tea room and bookshop – a fabulous and chic mix!
Le Cactus *
28, rue des Archives, 75004 Paris
Tel: 01 42 78 56 66
An alternative place to Open Café for drinks and snacks with a mixed gay crowd. Nice sunny terrace.
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