Place des Vosges

This elegant park located at the bottom of the Marais near rue de Rivoli is where French parents take their kids to play on the weekends. It’s a bit of a scene with cool dogs and even cooler owners and is surrounded by a number of traditional brasseries for lunch or an afternoon cafe and sweet stop – the best of which is bistro Chez Janou, where they serve a hearty menu of French classics from a Saint-Jacques salad to smocked duck. Not to be missed however, is the chocolate mouse. A communal glass bowl simply lands on your table from which kids love taking a massive scoop.

Location

The former Jewish quarter of the Marais is a melting pot of cool corners. Whether you are seeking casual bistros to watch the passing fashionparade, local art galleries, organic supermarkets or specialty artisan stores – also note that the Marais is the only designer shopping district open on a Sunday – this arrondissement’s cobblestone streets posses style in spades.

Place des Vosges, 75004