3rd Arrondissement

The Basics

With numerous museums, the 3rd arrondissement is a good place to acquaint yourself with local culture and history, but its many little streets also make it a great quarter to wander. When you need a sightseeing break, relax in the neighborhood’s public areas and green spaces, including the lovely and popular Square du Temple–Elie-Wiesel, which features wide pathways, a kids' play area, and nearly 200 types of plants.

Many art-focused walking and cycling tours cover the museums and artistic legacy of Le Marais, and several Metro stops make the area easy to visit independently.

Things to Know Before You Go

• The 3rd arrondissement is a must-visit for those interested in architecture, history, and culture.

• Wear comfortable shoes; this neighborhood is best explored on foot.

• Wheelchair users and even people with strollers might find getting around this neighborhood challenging due to narrow sidewalks and lots of cobblestones.

How to Get There

The 3rd arrondissement is sandwiched between the 2nd, 4th, 10th, and 11th arrondissements of Paris and spans the northern part of the Marais neighborhood, along with parts of the Arts et Metiers area. Metro stops include Rambuteau (which stops right by the Pompidou Center), Arts et Métiers, Chemin Vert, Filles du Calvaire, and République.

When to Get There

It’s worth visiting the 3rd arrondissement any time of year, though like the rest of the Marais, it can get crowded in the summer months. The area is also particularly fun around the annual Fête de la Musique, held on or around the summer solstice, when makeshift stages pop up all around central Paris.

Rue de Montmorency

The most famous street in the 3rd arrondissement, the Rue de Montmorency runs from Rue du Temple to Rue Saint-Martin. The street's claim to fame is the house of Nicolas Flamel at No. 51, which dates to 1407, making it the oldest stone house in Paris. (Flamel himself was immortalized by J.K. Rowling in theHarry Potter series.)

Ways to explore

The 3rd Arrondissement is easy to explore on foot. In this district, you’ll find art, history, and design museums (the Picasso Museum, Musée Carnavalet, and Musée des Arts et Métiers, respectively); leafy squares such as Place des Vosges; boutiques and cafés on boulevard Beaumarchais; and Marché des Enfants Rouge, one of the city’s oldest food markets.

To understand the 3rd Arrondissement’s history while seeing its sights, join a walking tour that passes through. Le Marais walking tours and food tours are often in the area, along with Le Marais and Jewish Quarter tours that also visit the 4th Arrondissement.

Accessibility

Some areas of Le Marais, with its narrow cobbled streets and summertime crowds, present challenges for wheelchair users. Look for wheelchair-accessible tours of Marais to explore with ease.

Age limits

None. Le Marais is a popular place for families, with parks and easy access to the kid-friendly Centre Pompidou.

What to pack

Flat shoes for walking, cash or cards to shop, reusable bag for market shopping

What to wear

To blend in with the Parisians, opt for something comfortable and stylish (think sneakers, trench coat, jeans).

Not allowed

Nothing in particular, although it’s wise to leave the car behind

Amenities

Pharmacies, public transportation, public restrooms (sanisettes), shops, supermarkets, market

Address

This neighborhood is north of Paris’ Seine River. There’s no shortage of metro lines and buses, and you can walk to attractions in nearby arrondissements such as the Centre Pompidou, Hôtel de Ville, and the Louvre Museum.

Driving

The 3rd Arrondissement is located within Paris’ Limited Traffic Zone (LTZ), which restricts motor vehicle traffic. Although there are some parking lots available, they tend to be expensive. Leave the car behind if you can.

Public transportation

Travel to the metro stations of Arts et Métiers, Filles du Calvaire, Rambuteau, République, and Saint-Sébastien-Froissart, which are all inside the 3rd Arrondissement. Several bus routes also cover the neighborhood, including routes #20, #75, and #96.

Best times to visit

There’s no bad time to visit, but if you’re going to a market, arrive around breakfast time or in the mid-afternoon.

Best days to visit

Visit between Tuesday and Sunday to shop at Marché des Enfants Rouge. (The market is closed on Mondays.)

Best months to visit

Central Paris tends to be hectic in the summer months. If you’re flexible with your travel dates, visit the city between September and May instead.

Special events

Paris hosts events and festivals year-round, and many spill into the 3rd Arrondissement. Look for the Fête de la Musique toward the end of June, which features concerts in Le Marais and at the Archives Nationales.