Paris Beyond Notre Dame: What to See Once You’ve Ticked the Cathedral Off Your List
Many people arrive in Paris wanting to see Notre Dame. If you’ve already read our Notre Dame Guide on visiting the cathedral and you’re planning to see it, it’s worth knowing what else is nearby and worth your time.
Le Marais and the Historic Jewish Quarter
A short ten-minute walk from Notre Dame (across the Seine) brings you to Le Marais, one of the few parts of Paris that escaped the sweeping redevelopment of the 19th century. The streets here are still narrow, medieval in places, and full of the kind of architectural detail that got flattened almost everywhere else in the city. Within Le Marais sits the Pletzl, the historic Jewish quarter centered around Rue des Rosiers, and this small pocket of streets holds history most visitors walk straight past without even realizing it.
The Jewish community in this part of Paris dates back centuries, and the quarter has survived waves of upheaval including the deportations of the Second World War, something that a good guide will address with the seriousness it deserves rather than skating over it. Walking through the Pletzl today, you’ll find synagogues tucked between ordinary shopfronts, kosher bakeries that have traded for generations, and a lived-in neighborhood that feels different from the more polished, tourist-facing parts of central Paris. A guide who knows this area well can explain what you’re seeing, from the Art Nouveau synagogue on Rue Pavée to the memorial sites that sit quietly among the cafes and boutiques, in a way that turns a pleasant wander into something really moving.
Beyond the Jewish quarter itself, Le Marais more broadly is one of the best neighborhoods in Paris for simply walking without a fixed agenda, home to the Place des Vosges (the oldest planned square in the city), a dense cluster of small galleries and vintage shops, and some of the best food in Paris if you know where to look. It’s also, usefully, one of the few central neighborhoods where shops tend to stay open on a Sunday, which makes it a practical stop if you’re trying to fill an afternoon that doesn’t fit around a big ticket landmark.
Book the Le Marais Jewish History Tour
Sacre Coeur and the View from Montmartre
Le Marais demands a slow wander; however, Montmartre and the Basilica of Sacre Coeur do the opposite. They reward you for climbing up and looking out. Sacre Coeur sits at the highest point in Paris, and the view from its steps across the city’s rooftops is one of the most memorable things you can do here, especially in the hour or so before sunset, when the light turns the whole skyline a beautiful gold.
The basilica itself is striking, built from a particular limestone that whitens with age and rain rather than staining as most stone does, which is why it still looks so bright against the sky even though it was completed over a century ago. Inside, the mosaic in the apse is one of the largest in France and is worth pausing for on its own merits, but for most visitors the real draw of Montmartre is the neighborhood surrounding the basilica, with its steep, winding streets, its history as the artistic heart of Paris in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and the small square, Place du Tertre, still full of working artists today.
A guide who knows Montmartre well will time a visit to avoid the crowds around the basilica steps, which can get busy in the middle of the day, and will route you through the quieter residential streets that most visitors never find, the ones with the ivy-covered houses and the last remaining vineyard in central Paris tucked incongruously between them.
Book the Le Marais & Montmartre Jewish Heritage Tour
Why See Either of These with a Private Guide
You can technically see both areas on your own, but there’s a real difference between wandering around and understanding what you’re looking at, especially in a neighborhood like the Jewish quarter, where the history is layered, sensitive, and easy to miss. A private guide also means the walk is built around you rather than around a fixed script, so if your group is more interested in the food of Le Marais than its architecture, or wants to linger longer at the top of Montmartre than move quickly through it, that’s how we will do it.
Explore our private Paris walking tours and let a local guide show you the parts of the city that most visitors miss entirely.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Le Marais safe and appropriate to visit as a tourist?
Yes, Le Marais is one of the most visited and well-established neighborhoods in central Paris, and its historic Jewish quarter welcomes visitors warmly. As with visiting any site of religious or cultural significance, a degree of respect and quiet awareness is appropriate, and a knowledgeable guide will help you navigate the area thoughtfully.
How far is Le Marais from Notre Dame, and can I walk there?
Le Marais is around a ten-minute walk from Notre Dame across the Pont Louis-Philippe or Pont d’Arcole, and the walk itself, along the Seine and through the Île Saint-Louis, is a nice short walk.
Do I need to book Sacre Coeur in advance?
No, entry to the basilica itself is free and doesn’t require a ticket, though the dome and crypt have a small separate charge if you want to climb up. During peak season, the steps and square outside can get very busy, so visiting early in the morning or later in the afternoon is generally more pleasant.
Can Le Marais and Montmartre be combined in a single day?
They can, though the two neighborhoods sit on opposite sides of the city, so it makes for a fuller day involving a metro journey between them rather than a single continuous walk. Many visitors prefer to give each its own half day, particularly if the goal is to properly absorb rather than rush through either one.
What is the best time of day to visit Sacre Coeur?
Late afternoon into early evening, particularly in the hour before sunset, gives you both a quieter basilica and the best light over the city from the steps outside. Early morning is the other good option if you want to avoid crowds entirely, though the light is less dramatic.
How long should I set aside for each area?
Two to three hours does justice to either Le Marais or Montmartre on its own, including time to wander rather than just move between fixed stops. A private guide can adjust this shorter or longer depending on your group’s interests and energy that day.
Is this tour suitable for children or older travelers?
Le Marais is flat and easy walking throughout. Montmartre involves a genuine hill and, if you choose to climb to the dome of Sacre Coeur, a number of stairs, though the funicular railway offers a step-free alternative up the main hill itself. Let your guide know in advance so the route and pace can be adjusted.
