The 4e arrondissement will plunge you into the heart of the Marais, known for being both the Jewish and Gay quarter of Paris. From rainbow-painted roads to kosher falafel, from the Centre Pompidou to Place des Vosges, this neighborhood has straight-up charm.
Our advice? If you’re traveling during tourist season (late spring to early fall), walk through the Marais early in the day. The streets will be quieter, and the air crisp and cool — perfect for wandering. Then, when things pick up and start opening for the day, we’ve got the best recommendations for what to visit, what to eat, and where to pause.
Want all of our recommendations for this neighborhood, plus a full day in the Marais Itinerary? Check out our Guide+!
What to See
Notre-Dame
Closed for way too long (2019–2024) for post-fire restoration, Notre-Dame re-opened in December 2024 — and we’re so glad it did. Just in time for summer visitors (especially those who skipped out on the Paris Olympic crowds), Notre-Dame is a must-visit.
You can try booking tickets online here. But don’t be discouraged if you don’t snag one, they’re limited and only released about a week in advance. You really don’t need one anymore. You’ll need to stand in the long (but fast-moving) line. The downside: it’s in full sun. The upside: once you step inside, you’re bathed in cool, delightful shade.
Don’t miss: the restored art lining the choir. These were buried under a century of gunk built up from the last time it was cleaned and renovated, so it’s something special to see. Also, be sure to note the modern touches, like the new pews, altar, and matching holy water sculpture at the entrance.
Climb Tour Saint-Jacques
Did you know you can go up Tour Saint-Jacques? And it offers views similar to the towers of Notre-Dame. Super central and of medium height, it's a great option if you're not obsessed with city views and don’t want to traipse across town.
At the time of writing this article, tickets aren’t available, but typically you can purchase them for the spring and summer months. Heads up: there are 300 steps to conquer!
If you’re looking for a tour of all the big monuments, but don’t have time to spend a whole day in each neighborhood (or even a couple of hours!) then you’ll want to see it all in one go. And for this, we recommend a tour! You can book a private Solex Bike Tour (trust us, they’re cool) with our friends at Le French Way. Check them out here.
Where to Eat and Drink
Coffee
If you’re a coffee lover, we’ve got two very different vibes for you:
Noir Île-Saint-Louis
Calm, cool (literally, there are seats in the basement), and quaint. Their cookies are a real treat. Grab your coffee to go and explore the island, or settle in for a quiet break.
Le Peloton Café
Le Peloton is vibrant, energetic, and always buzzing. Bonus: they run bike tours (on city bikes) and club rides (road bikes available to rent).
Food
Clark Hot Dog
Want an indulgent bite you can take to the river or a park? Try Clark Hot Dog. It’s a local favorite for its novelty (street hot dogs in Paris!). We always go for the crispy onions and homemade relish.
Miznon
A longstanding favorite serving delicious Levantine–French fusion. Boeuf Bourguignon in a pita? Yes, please. A whole roasted cauliflower? Merci! Unlike Clark, you can sit and eat here, but you’ll still order at the counter. Afterwards, head around the corner to a hidden park… find it in this blog.
Best Places to Hang Out
Maybe you don’t need another coffee (can that happen?) or perhaps you’re tired of museums (spend too much time at the Louvre?), and you just want a place to sit and relax. There are two very popular, very local places we’d recommend for this.
Place des Vosges
Place des Vosges is classic, romantic, and perfect for a low-key picnic. Sit on one of the four plots of grass, fill your waterbottle at the dark green fountain, or let your kids wander over to the playground. In the summer, it might be hard to find a place to sit here, but don’t be shy. Claim a corner and have a nap in the sun. And if you’re here in October, you might get lucky enough to catch a brocante for some unique souvenirs!
Sunset by the Seine
You can’t go wrong here. Grab a drink, perhaps a bottle of bubbly from Lot of Wine, sit on the quay, and soak it all in. One of our favorite places to sit is the very tip of Île-Saint-Louis.
Of course, there’s a ton more to do and see in the 4e arrondissement of Paris, and it can feel overwhelming when you’re planning your trip. Looking for more of a sit down restaurant? Ice cream? Or better yet, want that full day itinerary of the Marais? Grab our Guide+. You’ll get instant access to hundreds of local-approved recommendations, 3 full-day itineraries (including a day in the Marais), and exclusive audio walking tours through our partnership with Le Walk.
Not sure the 4e is for you? Let’s try popping over the left bank - maybe that’s more your vibe. Check back tomorrow for some things to do in the 5e arrondissement.