Favorites:
Place des Victoires
Built in 1865 to celebrate the victory of Louis XIV over Spain, Holland, Piedmont and Germany, it is now lined with designer shops such as 'Kenzo' and 'Thierry Mugler'. 'Victoire', a specialty store, introducing new Paris design talent, is particularly interesting.
Rue Montorgeuil
This is a trendy area with an eclectic mix of cafes, bars and food stores set amid old, interesting streets and houses. Of particular interest is the 'L 'Escargot Montorgueil' at #38 as it is one of the most authentic examples of 1830's decor in Paris and a well known restaurant specializing in snails. At #51 is 'Strohers', founded in 1730 by the former pastry chef of Louis XV.
Jardin de Tuilleries
The Tuileries Gardens were designed by Andre Le Notre in 1664 and is one of the largest parks in Paris. It is bordered by the Louvre, Rue de Rivoli and, at the western end, the Orangerie and the Jeu de Paume. The Orangerie houses Monet's magnificent 'Nympheas' series of paintings of water-lilies which were painted at Giverny and donated to the nation by the artist as a 'spiritual testimony'. It also houses other great Impressionist and 'Ecole de Paris' artists. It is undergoing a major re-haul at the moment. The Jeu de Paume holds special exhibitions.
Palais Royal & Gardens
The Palais Royal was constructed for Cardinal Richelieu in 1628. On the southwest corner is the Comedie Francaise and on the northwest corner is the 4-star 'Grand Vefour', an haute cuisine restaurant since the 1760s. The Palais Royal was home to Colette and Jean Cocteau.
Local Connection©
Let our bilingual Local Connection© will meet you in your hotel or apartment just after arrival to help you get acquainted and find out what only a local could tell you.
Search by District:
The 3rd Arrondissement is a quieter part of the Marais
North-east towards Place de la Republic and including the whole of the Marais, was once a state within a state owned by the powerful Order of Knights Templar, founded in the Holy Land to protect pilgrims. By the 13th century it had its own international banking system and had become independent of the crown. They became too powerful and in 1307 Philip the Fair had the Knights arrested and the order dissolved. In the area, at #51 rue de Montmorency, is the oldest house (1407) in Paris.
Great Mansions, Piscasso Museums and more
more details
Musee des Arts et Metiers
Museum of Science and Technology is Situated to the north of the 3rd arrondissements, this museum contains machines and models relating to great inventions from 1500. It has recently been completely restored and the description besides each exhibit is now both in French and English.
Picasso Museum
Hotel Carnavale
Begun in 1550, was home to the famous letter writer, Marquise de Sevigne (1626-1696) and now houses the Museum of Paris History. The beautiful Art Nouveau boutique Fouquet, designed by Mucha in 190l, has been recreated here. Another interesting room setting is Proust’s cork-lined room in which he wrote ‘A Remembrance of Things Past’
Hotel Donon: built 1598, is now the Museum Cognacq-Jay, a collection of 18th century European Art donated to the city by Ernest Cognacq, founder of the department store, La Samaritaine, and his wife Louise Jay.
Hotel de Soubise/ Hotel de Rohan: an assemblage of three different mansions. The Hotel de Soubise, built for the Prince and Princess de Soubise on the site of a manor house built in 1375 - only the gateway flanked by a pair of corbelled turrets remains. It was remodeled from 1705-1709, and is still one of the grandest of Hotels. The adjoining Hotel de Rohan was built for their son, who later became the Cardinal de Rohan. The mansions now house the National Archives and the Historical Museum of France.
Hotel de St-Aignan:
built c.1647, in 1998 it was beautifully renovated and opened as the
Museum of Art and History of Judaism
Hotel Guenegaurd
built circa 1650, is home to the Museum of the Chase and of Nature.
Hotel Liberal Bruand
built in 1685, now houses the Musee de la Serrure, a collection of locks and keys.
Hotel Sale
built 1656-1659, in now the celebrated Picasso Museum. It is one of the grandest Hotels in the Marais and has an unparalleled collection of paintings and sculptures by Picasso (1881-1973).

City Tours, Cooking, Wine Promenades, Photo Adventures, Private Guides & More
more details
Half and full day city tours leave from rue Rivoli by luxury coach. Some tours include guides and some, audio guides. See the selection or email us for a private driver/guide.
More Details
Hop on Hop Off Bus Stops
Palais Royal - Comédie Française
3 Jardins du Palais Royal
Musée du Louvre
Place du Carrousel (opposite Pyramide du Louvre), Jardin des Tuileries.
Pont-Neuf - Quai des Orfèvres
Opposite 68, quai des Orfèvres, Conciergerie, Square du Vert Galant
More Details
Wine Promenade
Our wine bar promenade is designed to introduce you to the discovery of french wines right where the french themselves do it.
More Details
