With an influx of innovative bistros, specialty shops, and boulangerie, the Marais lures the fashion forward Bobo folk—Bobo being short for bourgeois-bohemian—and the tourists alike. In this three-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.

• Discover the Marais through our food tour in Paris.
• Small group—6 people maximum.
• Led by a chef or food writer.

Bobo Paris

A mixture of old fashioned markets and wine bars—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 quarter, 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.

A Taste of Paris - Immersion in the Haut Marais

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 none with such 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. 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.

Sated

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 quarter, and maybe even discuss the difference between the Bobo's preferred cuisine to typical French bistro fare.