The quiet side streets of the Haut Marais, as the upper part of the 3rd arrondissement is known, form the backdrop to one of Paris' most exciting gastronomic neighborhoods. With an influx of innovative bistros, specialty shops, and boulangeries, the Marais lures the fashion forward Bobo folk—Bobo being short for bourgeois-bohemian—and the tourists alike. In this 2.5-hour tour led by a local chef or food writer we'll get a taste of Paris by diving into this exciting neighborhood, exploring innovative trends in Parisian cuisine, visiting hip cafés, and learning about the gastronomic lives of Bobo Paris.
A mixture of old fashioned markets and wine bars (the subjects of our Paris Market Tour and our Paris Wine Tour and Tasting, respectively)—along with cutting edge boutiques, hip cafes, and innovative food shops—make the haut Marais emblematic of what's being called the Parisian Bobo. Their nickname proves an apt description: their bourgeois sensibility wants the highest quality, while their inner bohemian craves contemporary flair and international originality. As we stroll through the quartier, we will take in the city from the perspective of the Bobos. Living in small apartments on these narrow, winding streets and forced to adapt to the pressures of busy lifestyles, it's difficult to find the time and space to cook. Relying more on the myriad of cafés, épiceries, and restaurants than other Parisians, the Bobos put the Marais' culinary offerings to the test. Perhaps this is why the haut Marais boasts an ever-increasing number of hip eateries.
Stopping in at their haunts, we will—in essence—be learning the intimate details of the Bobo diet, and gathering the items for a typical Bobo apéro. An apéro, or small pre-dinner snack with friends, is a common Parisian social gathering, though few practice it with as much panache as the Bobo. To execute our apéro, we will make use of the haut Marais' specialty shops. We may stop by an excellent modern purveyor to select some wild smoked salmon or top-grade Iberian ham. We will visit one of the hottest chocolate makers to select jewel-like bonbons from their bountiful display cases (also a stop on our Paris Chocolate Tour). We'll also stroll through Le Marché des Enfants Rouges, the oldest covered market in Paris. Established by royal decree in 1615, it has changed considerably since its inception. Now mostly filled with trendy ethnic food or organic stands, the Marché des Enfants Rouges will help us understand how traditions endure and evolve while remaining relevant today. We may also see some of the newer restaurants and shops, such as Candelaria, with its Mexican tacos and hidden cocktail bar; Nanashi, with its modern bento boxes; or Popelini, with its reinvention of Parisian choux pastry.
As our culinary adventure comes to a close, we will grab a seat at a small wine bar, order a small glass, and sample our wares. Coming full circle in our discovery of the Parisian Bobo, we'll consider the varied gastronomic landscape of the quartier, and maybe even discuss the difference between the Bobo's preferred cuisine to typical French bistro fare. Hungry travelers should also take a look at our full list of food tours in Paris.
