Ok, so you know what a huge fan of Paris walking tours I am and it’s been a while since I took one… On my recent trip, I was thrilled to be invited to check out Urban Adventures’ latest tour offering – the Gourmet Marais. The Marais is one of my favourite neighbourhoods to wander and I mean, “gourmet”? Sign me up!
Starting out at Notre Dame, this tour takes you through some of the best preserved medieval streets in Paris with a fairly equal focus on food/ architecture/ history (though each Urban Adventures Paris guide will put their own spin on the basic route of the tour based on their interests and those of the group which makes each tour really unique).
Our guide, Alix, was leading this tour for the first time but you wouldn’t have known it. She was SO knowledgeable about anything we asked her – from food and wine to French culture and history down to architecture, she really knew her stuff.
Since mum and I were the only people on the tour, Alix soon learned what we were interested in (um, food?!) and was able to really customise the information she shared. Mum got very excited at the first food stop…
This boulangerie was the winner of Paris’ best baguette contest in 2014 and we picked one up to eat with our snack later on. But also couldn’t keep our eyes off the beautiful and tasty display of goods…
Oh, and Alix reminded us to look up…
Since we weren’t eating our baguette at that point, we headed on over to a new addition in the Marais – Au Merveilleux de Fred – to pick up something to fortify us for our walk…
Yes, those ARE meringues sandwiched with cream and coated in more cream then rolled in hazelnuts. Spectacular…
With a bit of a sugar buzz, we continued on our way…
The streets of the Marais are full of history – including remains of the old city walls of Paris – this tour has a lovely leisurely pace because there is literally SO much to see and talk about in every street!
As well as soaking in all the history, we also got to sample some of Paris’ finest macarons…
And yes, the boutique in the Marais will allow you to take photos as long as you ask nicely 😉
We did a little charcuterie shopping at the local traiteur…
And headed to a nearby wine store to enjoy…
We spent a lovely 30 minutes or so in the wine store, welcomed by the owner who also schooled us in wine tasting. We had some white, some Cognac and some plum brandy to go with our charcuterie and baguette. Alix walked us through the various items on the plate – it’s certainly a generous sample platter!
With full bellies, we bid adieu to the wine store then wandered a little more through the gorgeous streets of the Marais…
Ending our tour in the Place des Vosges…
If you’re a fan of Paris architecture and history with a taste for the good things in life, this tour is for you. While it covers a fairly small footprint in terms of how much you will be walking (compared to some other tours I have done in Paris), it is definitely not short on information. For anyone who wonders what can someone who lived in Paris and who visits often possibly learn on a tour like this, I say “Lots!” I think I know more about Paris now I don’t live there, actually, thanks to activities like this!
I always recommend taking a tour like this at the start of a visit to the city – it’s a great way to get your bearings and make notes of places you might want to go back to and spend a bit more time.
Want to learn more about Urban Adventures Paris?
Read about my experience on the Urban Adventures Secret Paris tour here.
Read about my experience on the Urban Adventures Bohemian Paris tour here.
Disclosure: I was a guest of Urban Adventures on this tour. I was not asked to write about the tour and am not being compensated for doing so. All opinions 100% my own.
Just lovely! I hope to get to Paris one day, but until I do…Thanks for the tour!
You are so welcome – glad you enjoyed and thanks for stopping by!
This is wonderful! On my last stay in Paris, I stayed in the Marais just steps from Au Petit Versailles du Marais. We grab breakfast there every morning! And Au Merveilleux de Fred! Amazing little treats. Great post!
Bises, Kimberly
Thanks for stopping by Kimberly and for your kind words 🙂 It’s such a lovely part of Paris, isn’t it?
What a great walking tour, Mardi! I’m bookmarking this for my next trip to Paris. I adore walking tours, and you’ve inspired me to take another!
Thanks Gail! Check out more of the tours I have taken (linked in post) 🙂 I am such a fan!
The buildings, the food – all so gorgeous. I would be as big as a house after doing this tour as pretty pastries are my thing.
Yes but 1. It’s just tasting portions and 2. You’re walking it off 😉