Located in the heart of Paris, Rue Montorgueil is one of the French capital’s most charming and historic streets. Rue Montorgueil, a primarily pedestrianized street, is lined with quality French food shops and picturesque cafés and restaurants. Its lively atmosphere comes from locals shopping for fresh produce and from tourists soaking up the Parisian experience! You’re going to love Rue Montorgueil, Paris.


Where Is Rue Montorgueil, Paris?
Rue Montorgueil runs through the 1st and 2nd arrondissements. Rue Montorgueil starts at rue Réaumur in the 2nd arrondissement and runs down to Les Halles in the 1st arrondissement. Please note that the north end of Rue Montorgueil is called rue des Petits Carreaux.
Getting To Rue Montorgueil, Paris
By Métro: Les Halles (line 4) or Sentier (line 3) As you exit Sentier, notice the art nouveau entrance designed by Hector Guimard.
You’ll see the green archway welcoming you to rue Montorgueil.
7 Great Stops on rue Montorgueil
1. Pâtisserie Stohrer
51 rue Montorgueil, 75002, Paris
The plaque to the left of the shop reminds us that Pâtissserie Stohrer is a historical site. It’s the oldest pastry shop in Paris and one of the best and most famous.
Pâtissserie Stohrer was founded in 1730 by Nicolas Stohrer, pastry chef for King Louis XV. The interior of the Paris pastry shop is stunning along with its exquisite pastries. Nicolas Stohrer invented Rum Baba and also Puits d’Amour (the Well of Love). Their croissants make the list of the best ones in Paris! Pâtissserie Stohrer is a must-stop when ambling along Rue Montorgueil!
Hours: Monday to Saturday 8 AM to 8:30 PM; Sundays 8 AM to 8:00 PM
2. Au Rocher de Cancale
78 rue Montorgueil, 75002, Paris
The gorgeous 17th-century sculpted façade of this historical restaurant is a feast for the eyes as you stroll along rue Montorgueil. Au Rocher du Cancale has been on rue Montorgueil since 1804 and serving the best oysters from Cancale, a seaside village in Brittany. In fact, Cancale is the first place I ever had a pot of steaming mussels!
Au Rocher de Cancale has a wide menu including burgers and salads but it might just be the perfect place to dive into a platter of oysters! Why not raise a glass to Honoré de Balzac who was known to devour oodles of oysters here and make copious observations about humans which later appeared in his famous “La Comedie Humaine.”
Take a page from Balzac! Linger a while at Au Rocher de Cancale, enjoy being a “gourmand” and scribble down your observations on the people around you!
Hours: Monday to Sunday 7:00 AM to 2:00 AM
3. Mariage Frères – French Tea since 1854
90 rue Montorgueil, 75002, Paris
The world-famous tea house, Mariage Frères, was founded in Paris in 1854. Tea lovers will be in heaven upon entering the shop on rue Montorgueil. The walls are lined with a multitude of loose tea flavours and the Mariage Frères signature tins which make a great collector’s item and the perfect gift. Will you choose flowery and fruity Marco Polo, an Early Grey French Blue, or the Wedding Impérial?
Hours: Monday to Saturday 10:30 AM to 7:30 PM
4. Grom Montorgueil
96 rue Montorgueil, 75002 Paris
I first sought out Grom with my daughter for their gluten-free ice cream cone. What I discovered was phenomenal Italian gelato and delicious gluten-free cones. Made in the Italian traditional method, the gelato at Grom is made with high-quality fresh milk and little sugar. There is a wide range of fun flavours from tiramisu to chestnut and plenty of traditional flavours to please every gelato lover! The fresh fruit sorbet flavours are plentiful. Grom is an essential stop on rue Montorgueil.
Hours: Monday to Thursday 12 to 11:30 PM; Saturday 11:00 AM to 12:30 AM; Sunday 11:00 AM to 11:30 PM
5. Venchi Chocolat et Gelato Montorgueil
12 rue des Petits Carreaux, 75002 Paris (the high end of rue Montorgeuil)
The artisanal gelato at Venchi, an Italian chocolate and gelato shop, is to die for. All the ingredients come from Italy and the artisanal gelato is handmade on the premises. It’s creamy and the flavours are intense. It’s the perfect refreshing treat to savour while strolling Rue Montorgueil.
Sign up for their loyalty card (free) and receive a small chocolate bar for free!
There are several small tables outside the boutique on rues de Petits Carreaux to enjoy your gelato. I chose the hazelnut and cappuccino. Both were delicious.
For the vegans in the crowd, there are five sorbet flavours available (mostly fresh fruits).
Hours: Monday to Friday 9 AM to 10 PM; Saturday 10:30 AM to 11 PM; Sunday 10:30 AM to 10 PM
6. Pâtisserie Jeffrey Cagnes
The corner location of Pâtisserie Jeffrey Cagnes is ideal. You just can’t pass by the shop windows without entering and admiring the array of scrumptious-looking pâtisseries. What will you choose? A glossy eclair? A Paris Brest? I chose one of his individual Galette des Rois (pictured on the right). It was filled with a hazelnut cream – and simply to die for! Add a delicious treat from Jeffrey Cagnes to your explorations along rue Montorgueil.
Hours: Monday to Saturday 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM; Sundays 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM
7. L’Escargot Montorgueil
38 rue Montorgueil, 75001, Paris
This mythical restaurant on rue Montorgueil has been serving classic French dishes (and plenty of snails) since 1832. If you’re looking to experience classic French dishes in a stunning setting, look no further than L’Escargot Montorgueil. On the menu you’ll find platters of escargots, frog’s legs, foie gras, and beef tartare. Finish with a Paris Brest or an Eclair café. Bon appétit!
Hours: Monday to Sunday 12 noon to 10:00 PM
Rue Montorgueil: A Little History
As far back as the 13th century, there has been a street here acting as a key trading route in and out of Paris. It has had many different names over the centuries such as Chemin du Val-Larroneux and Chemin de la Vallée aux Voleurs. It’s always been a route that leads to the central marketplace, Les Halles, that King Phillipe Auguste created in 1183. At one time it was called rue des Poissonniers (Fishermen’s street) for the fishermen who brought their fresh catch from Normandy to the market.
There was even a parc des huîtres (an oyster park) set up on rue Montorgueil until 1866. Live oysters were kept in basins to keep up with the demand of Parisians. Oysters were not a luxury food at this point in history.
Rue Montorgueil or Mount Orgueilleux meaning Mount Pride was renamed in the late 18th Century. According to Victor Hugo in les Miserables, the street was named after an instrument (un orgueil) used to carry heavy loads. Others say that the nouveau riche were settling on this hill which had formerly been the landfill from the market. How proud they were…
Rue Montorgueil holds stories from centuries past and great appeal today in 2025 with its unforgettable Parisian ambience.
Vestige of Colonial Era Ceramics
Let your eyes drift upward at 10 rue des Petits-Carreaux. I noticed this ceramic painting when I was happily enjoying my gelato from Venchi next door. It stopped me in my tracks. Shocked at this scene from a different time, I had a good stare at it.
Classified as a Historic Monument since 1984, this controversial depiction is one of the last visual testimonies in the streets of Paris of the French Colonial period.
Installed in 1890, the sign indicates that Au Planteur is the only store (Aucune Succursale) selling exotic products from the colonies such as coffee, tea, chocolate, and cane sugar.
This sign is often vandalized, understandably. Where is the historical sign putting the ceramic painting in context?
Other Streets To Explore Near Rue Montorgueil
Rue du Nil, another Paris paradise for foodies, is a 4-minute walk from rue Montorgueil. You’ll find the Michelin-starred restaurant Frenchie here along with the Frenchies Wine Bar (Frenchie Bar à Vins). I saw my first enormous round of Comté cheese being rolled in the Crèmerie of Terroirs d’Avenir. It’s charming pink façade drew me in and I was immediately impressed by the artisanal French cheese and dairy products. What I discovered was that Terroirs d’Avenir has a multitude of shops on rue du Nil all focussed on bringing fresh, natural products from French farmers to Parisian chefs and Parisians.
Insider Tip: Calling all vegetarians and vegans…one of the best Paris vgetarian restaurants, Kapunka, is kiddy corner to Rue du Nil. Find it listed in my top Vegetarian and Vegan Restaurants in Paris.
Attractions Near Rue Montorgueil
Rue Montorgueil is in the heart of Paris making it an easy addition to your itinerary. Here are a few major landmarks within walking distance of Rue Montorgueil:
- The Louvre to rue Montorgueil: between 10 and 15 minutes
- The Seine River: 15 minutes
- Notre Dame Cathedral: about 25 minutes
- The Georges Pompidou Centre: between 10 and 15 minutes
- The Palais Royal: between 10 and 15 minutes
- Place des Victoires: less than 10 minutes
Where Else To Find Rue Montorgueil in Paris
Claude Monet painted rue Montorgueil in 1878 and entitled his piece ” La Rue Montorgueil.” It was painted on the 30 of June 1878 for a festival by the government promoting “peace and work.” Monet’s impressionist piece shows the street filled with French flags! Look for it hanging in the Musée d’Orsay!
Plan Your Trip To Paris
- Book your airline tickets with my favourite platform, Skyscanner.
- Book a transfer from Charles de Gaulle or Orly airport with Welcome Pick Ups.
- Reserve a car (not for Paris) but for a road trip in France
- Reserve train tickets for further travels in Europe with Trainline (my go-to)
Read More | 25 Key Travel Tips For Paris. Here are the best Paris experiences to have and where to more than 40 hidden gems in Paris. Only have a short time in Paris? Try this One Day in Paris Itinerary. If you want to find the charms of secret Paris, find them in my eBook, Paris for the Curious Stroller.
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i hope you have a marvellous time exploring rue Montorgueil. What delicious French food will you savour?
Until next time,