Mariage Frères

I have travelled the world extensively over 40 years. I ate at all restaurants ranging from pop & mom’s to Michelin three stars. This is my honest review of the tea joint Mariage Frères in Le Marais, Paris. This tea joint is a must-visit! They offer an extensive tea menu, and the two we tried were incredible. There’s a great selection of pastries, including scones (served with two home-made jams) and a delightful millefeuille-style dessert with chocolate and cream. We also picked up a tea box from the adjoining shop to take home. The interior is cozy, classy, and filled with interesting people—a fantastic spot for any tea or pastry lover!

A cave of treasures in tea boxes! If you aren’t a tea lover it will convert you! I come to stock up with my fav, Jasmine in Love, but also to buy presents for everyone I know! The glass teapot I have from here is so divine! It helped me make a ritual of drinking tea! Their tea advent calendar is next level. Also if you love exquisite packaging like I do…there just isn’t anyone that does it better! Transported!

One of favorite place in Paris, it’s always a moment where I’m in my bubble and just in peace with a wonderful tea, a quiet music and calm. I recommending this place to every tea lover.

I got three teas from. All of them have great smell and taste. None of the are too strong (and that’s good) Update: I have visited this place a few times since. I love every tea that I have got from them. I gave away some tea as gifts and people are loving them and they ask for more whenever I visit Paris. Marco Polo is very popular. Black orchid, imperial wedding, french blue earl gray, and American breakfast are my favourites.

Omg what an amazing tea shop. They have well over 600 kinds in large bulk plus like 300 more in another way. Really great customer service - very knowledgeable about tea. #Iwanttobuyalltheteas

Such a cute tea place - their Mont Blanc is to die for.

Tea: Some of the finest in the world! So lovely to finally visit this tea shop. Food: We are not vegetarians, but the vegan dish grabbed our attention. It was delightful to say the least. Good cookery. Good seasoning. Good eats! Ambiance: Too quiet. Could use some atmosphere. The environment was nice with fresh cut flowers and smells of delight! Service: It could very much be improved.

Wonderful tea shop, great selection, helpful staff. We picked up some nice black tea as well as cold-infusions. A wonderful array of tea-making accessories. If you have the time, try their cafe in the back for a fresh brew.

I have travelled the world extensively over 40 years. I ate at all restaurants ranging from pop & mom’s to Michelin three stars. This is my honest review of the tea joint Mariage Frères in Le Marais, Paris. This tea joint is a must-visit! They offer an extensive tea menu, and the two we tried were incredible. There’s a great selection of pastries, including scones (served with two home-made jams) and a delightful millefeuille-style dessert with chocolate and cream. We also picked up a tea box from the adjoining shop to take home. The interior is cozy, classy, and filled with interesting people—a fantastic spot for any tea or pastry lover!

A cave of treasures in tea boxes! If you aren’t a tea lover it will convert you! I come to stock up with my fav, Jasmine in Love, but also to buy presents for everyone I know! The glass teapot I have from here is so divine! It helped me make a ritual of drinking tea! Their tea advent calendar is next level. Also if you love exquisite packaging like I do…there just isn’t anyone that does it better! Transported!

One of favorite place in Paris, it’s always a moment where I’m in my bubble and just in peace with a wonderful tea, a quiet music and calm. I recommending this place to every tea lover.

I got three teas from. All of them have great smell and taste. None of the are too strong (and that’s good) Update: I have visited this place a few times since. I love every tea that I have got from them. I gave away some tea as gifts and people are loving them and they ask for more whenever I visit Paris. Marco Polo is very popular. Black orchid, imperial wedding, french blue earl gray, and American breakfast are my favourites.

Omg what an amazing tea shop. They have well over 600 kinds in large bulk plus like 300 more in another way. Really great customer service - very knowledgeable about tea. #Iwanttobuyalltheteas

Such a cute tea place - their Mont Blanc is to die for.

Tea: Some of the finest in the world! So lovely to finally visit this tea shop. Food: We are not vegetarians, but the vegan dish grabbed our attention. It was delightful to say the least. Good cookery. Good seasoning. Good eats! Ambiance: Too quiet. Could use some atmosphere. The environment was nice with fresh cut flowers and smells of delight! Service: It could very much be improved.

Wonderful tea shop, great selection, helpful staff. We picked up some nice black tea as well as cold-infusions. A wonderful array of tea-making accessories. If you have the time, try their cafe in the back for a fresh brew.

I was freezing after walking around Le Marais and desperately wanted un boisson chaud. I asked if I could sit and just have a pot of tea and they said yes, bien sûre! I was given a choice between French or English menu and asked for both. The tea list is extensive and I found it overwhelming since I don't know much about tea. Luckily, the thè sommelier was happy to help and recommended the thè bleu, fleurs d'oranger oolong to me. It was FANTASTIC, and a very good value, in my opinion, at 12€ per pot. I sat for 45 minutes and people watched happily. I loved this cozy tea shop and would love to return one day!

One of the best high tea's, they don't give you tons of food, but what they do give you is high in flavor and quality. 3 savories and 3 sweets, plus a special holiday scone. Service was impeccable and the sales associates had patiences. It would be been more outstanding if there was a view, but that's OK. I'd still come here again.

Lovely spot to relax over a pot of tea. They have hundreds of high quality teas to choose from. Might be wise to walk around the shop on the way in to smell some of the teas and get an idea of what you might want to order as there aren't many descriptors of the teas on the menu due to the sheer number of choices. The teapots come in warmers so the water stays nice and hot. A must stop for tea lovers.

Tres bon service attentif. Grande variete de tea du monde. A ne pas manquer lors d'une visite a Paris.

I love tea and had never been here before. The mention of breakfast led me to the Marais location on my last day in Paris last November. Sadly, they did not serve breakfast though I was able to purchase a cup of tea for takeaway. The teas I smelled were intoxicating. I found Christmas gifts for family members and myself. I've had to place an order online for one of the thé bleu, Fall in Love, as it turned out to be a family favorite and everyone wants their own tin. It smells and tastes divine and it's fun to drink a blue beverage!

I would have been happy just smelling 100 different types of teas, but then I saw the pastry tray and thought it would be a shame if I didn't sit down for a proper cup of tea with pastry.

Mariage Frères pays homage to the long tradition of tea through their extensive menu. I am a self professed serious tea connoisseur whose suitcases are bursting full of tea whenever I return from my travels. After the fatigue of traipsing around the most beautiful city in the world, MF offers a beautiful oasis for you to sit down and enjoy tea as well as a selected menu of pastries. Since I'm a very girly girl, I prefer La Durée but MF would be perfect for an afternoon soirée with friends in winter, over a hot cup of tea.

I love Mariage Freres. I went multiple times to enjoy a pot of tea and left with a few bags of leaves to bring home with me. Frilly tea shops in San Francisco just aren't the same. I like the overall atmosphere at Mariage Freres tea shops. Everything is white: white tablecloth, napkins, everyone working there is dressed in all white. You receive a book on the art of tea to browse through along with the menu. You may be overwhelmed by their walls of tea. They have one filled with their most popular picks to help you start. I favored the red teas but am particular in love with the "Milky Blue". Taste like Sunday brunch, creamy biscuits and earl gray with milk all in a cup. An afternoon at one of the tables will cost significantly more than brewing a pot at home but it's an experience i highly recommend.

If you must have ONE meal during your stay in Paris, have the Champagne Brunch. Amazing presentation and light delicious flavor from beginning to end. Be sure to go upstairs to the museum. Try the Jasmine tea and take away some Paris tea in the classic tin. The mango jam is out of sight!!

No english menu - so better brush up on your French! Also, you're not allowed to take any photos - or at least you're given that dirty condescending snarl that the locals give tourists all so well. I found the service unaccommodating with the staff unwilling to describe menu items, the history of the teas, or even give recommendations on their favorites. I found myself needing to forcefully pull out information that I would have wished the servers would provide. You're given an extensive menu - in french, and are expected to order a pot of tea for roughly 20 Euros per person. I find it comical that even with the struggling French economy that some locals/vendors/restaurants still treat tourists with disdain and displeasure - where tourism definitely helps the French economy in some fashion. C'est la vie!

I cannot begin to explain how much I love Mariage Frères. Being a tea lover myself seeing how they think of tea as an art and use it in everything they do is like heaven for me!! Each tea I had here while i was in Paris (tried 5 in 4 days!) was perfect. Not only that but their food is so good!! The way the incorporate tea into the food and dessert tastes so amazing. My mom got a brunch and even her jams were tea infused (and great!) I got a matcha salmon dish that was just amazing. For dessert we tried the creme brûlée, they infused it with a black tea and it was so good, and a green tea and rose pound cake that was addicting!! We also took away some tea infused goodies to try! A green tea Madeline, very good and had filling! A Black tea canele, again very good. A raisin scone, amazing! And an earl grey Madeline that I loved!! I'm so upset there are no locations in the US you have NO IDEA. I'm praying one day they bring their genius over cause I've only been away four days and I'm already having withdrawals! Long review short: if you love tea you'll ADORE this place

One of the best meals I've ever had in my life; this meal was, simply, INCREDIBLE. I'd made reservations for a 3pm lunch and we received a menu that included brunch, lunch, afternoon tea (beginning at 3pm), desserts, and of course, a separate tea menu. The tea menu can be intimidating, but thankfully my friend who frequents this place strongly recommended that I try the Eros tea. For food, I ordered a smoked salmon sandwich that came with a salad, and when I took my first bite, I couldn't believe how delicious it was. It paired well with my tea and I enjoyed my time slowly. They speak English there, though we didn't exchange a word in English until the very end when they realized that my partner and I were holding an English conversation. If you can speak French, please do. Plus, it's always fun to practice! I recommend dressing up a little. The American and English tourists strongly stood out with their tank tops and shorts, sneakers, so I recommend dressing it up a tad. I wore a simple cotton black dress and a black blazer, and my husband wore what we could describe as work clothes back home in the US, but we blended in well. Enjoy!

Not sure what to say! The streets in Le Marias were crowded today so when we decided to duck inside for a tea & quiet it was the perfect atmosphere we were looking for. Service was impeccable but the star of the show was....oh everything! I had the signature Marco Polo Classic tea. It had such a beautiful fragrant smell, but didn't taste like perfume. I also ordered the Classic Brunch with an upgrade dessert. Outstanding! Everything is infused with a tea, but those flavors only enhance the taste. Dessert, was simply beautiful.

TIP: If it's a hot day, order any of their teas iced, which come in big glass goblet-style wine glass, with a straw! Try the Earl Gray Provénce or the France du Étoile, both fantastic, fragrant teas. I really wasn't expecting to, but ended up spending hours on a Sunday at Mariage Frères, and would happily do it again. Tucked away at a table by the tea bar, I was treated to an afternoon lunch of amazing food, people watching, desserts and, of course, tea. The waitstaff was absolutely impeccable, and didn't rush me at all, as I perused the menus and book handed to me upon seating. Available in both French and English, the book is a fantastic read about Mariage Frères' history, as well as their take on everything tea, from what vessels to use, how to make it properly, to what teas to drink at specific times of the day. It's a fascinating read while enjoying a lovely afternoon in the tea room. It was a dreamy experience, caught somewhere between my English background and the trappings of a beautiful French bistro, tucked away in a small alley. The waiters spoke perfect English and were patient, accommodating, and the entire meal was perfectly executed. The hustle and bustle of the tea shop is just beyond the restaurant. It was so fun to watch the gentlemen, smartly dressed, pulling giant tea canisters from the wall and filling orders. It didn't take much effort to try and imagine what it was like when the store opened in the 1800's. While certainly not the cheapest lunch in Paris, it was extremely filling and will be my only meal of the day. A perfect one at that! I will definitely be going back before the end of my trip in Paris. It really was a fantastic day at Mariage Frères.

"The fragrance of adventure and poetry endlessly pervades each cup of tea" -Henri mariage Now I love tea but M. Mariage had a super romanticized view of it. Always trying to discover new vendors, i thought 14 Euros is a lot to pay for a box of 30 red tea sachets. However the quality of the tea does warrant it. Satchels are woven of French cotton muslin, filled with very fine robois red tea. I guess if they've been around since 1854 they must be doing something right

*The prices are not for the faint of heart* But the service is top notch. Will come in for a meal one of these days when I feel in a celebratory mood (one of the salads which featured foie gras cost 27 euros). But I met a friend for tea and had chocolate mousse tea for the first time in my life. I also had 2 madelines for about 10 euros. I strategically took bites so that each bite was one euro. It was good, but not one euro per bite good :-) Still and all - well worth going.

This is such a classy and yet cozy tea shop and store. We had some tea late one afternoon along with a whimsical lemon meringue. It was so fun having tea in this refined setting, and browsing all the different teas and items in the shop is fun.

The tearoom was awesome. Although they do require reservations, they managed to fit us in. The decor had an old southern style with gentlemen dressed in white. It was a bit intimidating asking for a table. I was a little out of place with shorts and a t-shirt haha. The table next to us weren't too happy seeing asians enjoying tea. I've drank my share of fine teas =) Teas: 1. Matcha Uji (green tea) - From Japan. I've had something similar to this but its soooo goood. Very light on your palate and smooth from start to finish. You don't get that lingering bitter leafy taste at all. I was so hungry but after drinking this tea, I didn't eat much for lunch or dinner. This was so good I bought 4 boxes to take home. 2. Marco Polo English Breakfast - Very very flavorful for english breakfast w/o any bitterness. My friends and i came out of this store with gift boxes and teas. I spent more in this store than several stores I shopped at. Yes, its that good. If you plan on visiting Paris and your a huge tea drinker. I would recommend that you stop by and check this out.

Stepping into Mariage Freres, I was embraced by the lovely scent of teas. Opera was playing and it was absolutly amazing. (So much so, that my eyes welled up with joy). The store is small, but filled with tins and tins of teas. The staff is impecably dressed and very polite and extremely knowledgeable. I was in a hurry, and the young man I talked with, suggested I go across the street to their store over there, as it was not as busy. I did. And after a short wait, I had the undivided attention of a young man, who helped me find 5 different teas: Casablanca (Mint and Bergamot). Grand Earl Grey (heavy on the Bergamot), French Breakfast, Chandernagor Chai and Veranda. When I got back to the states, I finally got to actually try the tea, and I was not disappointed. Even if I brew it to strong, the flavour is still mellow and soft in my mouth. It is, without a doubt, the best teas I have ever tasted. ...Already plotting what to buy next.

Mariage Frères is a French tea company that was founded by two brothers in 1854. In 1983, the tea boutique and tea salon are located in the same building that housed the Mariage Frères office 150 years ago. The fragrant store is merchandised as if from a bygone era with historic instrumentation. The shop offers a large assortment of quality teas from around the world and tea accessories. You can smell each of the teas prior to purchasing. The tea "ambassadeurs" are eager to assist and they are very helpful. The tea room behind the shop offers freshly prepared tea-infused pastries. A nice quiet spot in the busy city. www1.mariagefreres.com

I came here a year ago twice in the same week for my birthday with a friend and with my partner. This was the most amazing lunch and tea I have ever had. The service was impeccable, the atmosphere was wonderful and I was able to eat in the same seat the two times I attended. I purchased tea there that I now have to restock since I just ran out. I can not wait to go back for lunch when I'm there for my 30th birthday in November.

*Please note: the correct name is: Thé Français. It was already added and I am unable to edit it.* Thé Français, by extension of its big sister accross the street, Mariage Frèresis nothing short of a tea lovers HEAVEN! Please come and partake in the many teas--that some would swear--posess the powers to do the following: enlighten ones being, cure all ills, chase away the blues, waken one out of a funk, or sedate one into a euphoric stupor. Yes, there is something for everyone. Imbibe! '(¿)

I never thought that I would write a review for a tea shop however Mariage Freres is not any ordinary tea shop. It is to tea what Le Maison du Chocolat is to chocolate. It is upscale however the staff are always friendly and very helpful. This visit at the Le Marais location we purchased some boxes of English breakfast and French breakfast teas. Inside is a tea room that we will visit the next time we are in Paris.

Was in Paris & purchased the Marco Polo Blue I LOVE it, and it is really blue

I enjoy the tearoom experience on occasion, but more often Mariage Freres is a destination for gifts and special treats. If you don't want to take a chance on any of the extensive tea selection, go for the tea jam. Its pretty amazering and a safe but unusual gift. The staff is friendly and helpful.

I call this tea shoppe a tea library as parts of it has floor to ceiling wood shelves of just tea. It has at least 100 loose teas from which to choose. It is just fantastic! It can get crowded and a bit warm inside but it is worth. Here is a tip if you want a less crowded experience...on the other side of the street from the main location is another smaller less crowded location that is run by Mariage Frere. The staff are dressed the same in their khaki suits and are just as friendly. This is always a stop I must make when in Paris.

This is the original Mariage Frères location in Paris. I've been twice for tea. On the weekend it can get very busy, so I would suggest making a reservation. I love the tea brand and this is a classic location to visit. However, I prefer the Rive Gauche location for being a bit more secluded and relaxed. My suggestion is to sit away from the washroom (centre of the salon) as the hand blowers can be very loud.

Had the afternoon tea. Nice ambience, orientalism style, imagine you are at a upscale tearoom in one of France's East Asian colony... Tea was great for sure. The food was nice, not excellent, a little bit too sour I think (or just because of my high expectation). They could do better under the name of such a famous tea house.

What a cute tea spot! This place gets crowded for brunch, btw! I loved how it was filled with boxes of unique tea flavors-mmmm! I had a green tea with some lavender and fruits, and it was delicious!! :D

Wonderful way to spend a Sunday afternoon. The tea salon gave off a Casablanca vibe, and the waiters were all very nice. You are presented with the book "The French Art of Tea" along with the menu to make your decision. All the food is tea-themed, which could be hit or miss. However, the hits were out of this world and enough to make up for the misses, which were neutral at worst. I had the Caprice du Gouverneur, which was a croque monsieur with salmon on matcha toast. The matcha flavour was very light, but it was very tasty! It came with a green tea sesame salad which tasted a little funky to be honest. I ordered this with Happy Queen tea, a pineapple green tea which was also nothing to write home about, but I guess with thousands of choices not all of them can be stellar. Ok, so that sounded like a mixed bag. Why 5 stars? My friend got the Nostalgie de Pondichery, a plate of amuse-bouches that had a little bit of everything on the menu. My favourite of these was the Louvre, a club sandwich with a tea paste that was uniquely amazing. He had the French blue tea with this, which is a brilliant hue with a lovely, nuanced taste. Would definitely recommend. And for the coup de grace: At the end of the meal, they escort you from your seat to the dessert area where you pick out beautiful cakes from behind the glass. I don't know what the desserts I got were called, but they were the best I have had during my 2 months in Paris. Even better than Ladureé! At the end of the day, afternoon tea, food, and dessert for both of us came out to 76 euro. While I don't regret the meal, if you're looking to not break the bank, I felt that only the dessert was truly essential. But if you have an afternoon and some euros to spare, this is a pleasant experience all around. You even get a Mariage Frères postcard with your bill to remember it by.

This tea salon, tea museum, purveyor of a cultural experience sets the standard for afternoon tea starting from its amazing selection of teas and exquisite house blends to mouth-watering cakes and all served up by knowledgable young men in crumpled white suits. The decor reminds one of a colonial world gone by and yet it serves the experience really rather well. It's not as crisp and militaristic in service as Raffles in Singapore and Raffles do offer a really rather nice tea, an homage to one of its many conquerors no doubt. Mariage Frères Salon de Thé is the treat and experience all us human beings should gift ourselves from time to time. --- Ce salon de thé, le musée du thé, pourvoyeur d'une expérience culturelle établit la norme pour le thé l'après-midi à partir de son incroyable sélection de thés et maison exquis mélanges à gâteaux appétissants et le tout servi par de jeunes hommes bien informés en costumes blancs froissés. Le décor rappelle celle d'un monde colonial passé et pourtant il sert l'expérience vraiment plutôt bien. Ce n'est pas aussi nette et militariste en service au Raffles à Singapour et Raffles faire offrir un très bon thé plutôt, un hommage à l'un de ses nombreux conquérants sans doute. Mariage Frères Salon de Thé est le plaisir et l'expérience de tous les êtres humains nous devons nous cadeau de temps en temps.

On the "Paris must do " list. SERVICE was impeccable. Tea "experts" as we will call them... dressed in all white, presenting 5 star service, with grande knowledge of both the food and tea. I had a smoked salmon plate wich was super fresh, so tasty, and a very generous portion. For dessert I had a macaroon which was one of the best macaroons I have very had (and I AM an expert). My boyfriend got same meal and then the Creme Brulee tart - THIS IS A MUST it was TO DIE FOR. Go !

I came here on the recommendation of a good friend and as I was in the area, decided to partake in an afternoon tea service pour un. The maitre'd who sat me was very polite; my waiter was a little uppity. As try as I might to speak the limited French I know to order, he'd just respond in kind "yeah, you want ???" It took away from the experience a bit. Now, the busboy who served the pastries, so nice - big smile. The gentlemen who made the tea, super friendly and even came over to see how I liked everything. Just my waiter was a bit,shall I say, like a Los Angeles actor - waiter type. I did find out later the same one was very rude to my friend's mom a few days earlier so maybe unlike most waiters in Paris, this is not the career move for him. Regardless, this is a must stop. I did not have the lunch - only Earl Grey French Breakfast Tea and the pastries but everyone's food orders looked great. Definitely make the journey. And try the Earl Grey French Breakfast Tea !!!

This was one of the best meals I've ever eaten in Paris! It's definitely worth the splurge. We had a late lunch at afternoon tea, and every dish we ordered was perfect. The foie gras on the Nostalgie de Pondicherry was, in particular, divine - creamy, yet slightly firm. The chicken sandwich on green tea bread was also spectacular, with a subtle flavor that still wowed me despite its simplicity. The tea was wonderful, too. I My dessert was merely good but only because I was seduced by the look of chocolate and ordered the wrong thing for my tastes. It was still of spectacular quality. This meal was expensive but I had absolutely no qualms paying for the full afternoon tea experience. Simply delicious.

What an amazing, overwhelming place. I had to leave before I bought anything, but don't worry, I picked up a tin elsewhere. A tea addict could not possibly leave Paris without some, it just had to be in a place with far less of a selection! I chose Vanille Des Îles, a vanilla black tea. Just the smell of it when I opened it up let me know that this stuff is good. I normally don't care much for sweeter teas, but I love this a lot. It's so smooth. It makes me wish I bought more. Next time, next time I will go crazy with purchases and it will be wonderful.

Good brunch, although a little bit expensive, accompanied with a big glass of cold iced tea (I really enjoy that!), here is a moment of pleasure not to miss. You can also find hot tea of course, but the cold one is really good. A lot of choice, a real pleasure. Good french food and pastry. It is true that here the quality of dishes, service and indeed on some tea is sure. A beautiful place to stroll during small moment around a good tea.

My favorite tea shop period! haha Seriouly, my visits to Paris isn't complete without this place. Everytime I come here I stock up :)

The aroma of tea seeps in through the walls and the service can't be beat. There are over 600+ teas to choose from, which will only make you want to come back to try them all. Take a book, order a madeleine with your very own pot of tea and relax as you rest from all the shopping you've done while strolling around the Marais. This place is a must-go when in Paris.

Together with Betjeman & Barton the best place for tea lovers! You can choose from a very wide range of teas. You can drink tea in the shop but you can take tea back home as well. Visited in May 2011.

I cannot speak to the tea room, but the items for purchase in the front are divine. They make excellent gifts for yourself and others!

Seriously love this place. Don't be intimidated by the attire (everyone is dressed up really nice), the staff is wonderful. I speak terrible French, but gave it a go...and the effort of trying to speak French went a long way. The person who helped us was really helpful. I told him what I was looking for (a strong , black tea, without any added fragrances). He brought me directly to a jar, opened it up for me to enjoy the scent, and he was right on target. I wanted to buy a container that I could take with me on the plane, and he quickly got me exactly what I needed. If we weren't in a hurry, i would have enjoyed sitting in the tea salon...maybe next time.

Very interesting teas but the place is very full of itself with a tremendous ambiance of arrogance. Staff is dressed for the part too. And God forbid you try to take a picture , ou lala, non, non, non. Give me a break. Get with the real world Mariage Freres!

Haven't been to the tearoom, but the store is lovely. Feels like you've stepped back in time. There can be quite a line to buy their teas, but fortunately some of their popular flavored blends like the Marco Polo are pre-packaged, and you don't have to wait in line for a staff member to help you at the tea counter. I got the Bolero this time (French Riviera fruity black tea), which quite literally made me drool when I opened the tin. And also a packet of the Mint, and Casablanca (another mint flavored blend).

The salon has become a bit of a tourist's trap and is not what it once was. That said, I love the tea and am glad to purchase and enjoy it chez moi.

A truly memorable experience: come and drink tea in the genteel surroundings of a tea-room that feels like something out of French Indochina: palms and wicker furniture with old prints on the walls. The tea itself is served beautifully and there are too many different kinds to choose from. You can also choose from a selection of delicious cakes and savoury dishes to accompany your tea. It's expensive, but well worth the experience. The museum upstairs is an amusing diversion, but the tea shop itself, through which you walk to get to the tea-room, merits enough time to choose something delicious to take home with you.

Extravagance and exclusivity tea time at its greatest. Mariage Frère is the ideal Sunday brunch place to be in Paris. Whether you fancy an indulgent green tea pastry or chimes to an invigorating lavish tea experience, you will feel indeed a great uplift at a place that redefines tea making to its finest qualities.

A real Parisian experience! Buying tea at Mariages Freres is a fantastic retail experience. The store is beautiful, with dark wood and lots of the traditional big boxes in which dozens of varieties of teas are kept and the tea is excellent, packaged in a very nice metallic box or flexible bag depending on how much you take. I go for Russian Breakfast (morning) and Marco Polo (afternoon).

An absolute dream for tea lovers! Many restaurants in Paris served this brand of tea so I was intrigued to stop in. It was definitely worth the visit. I was amazed at the variety and high quality of the tea selection. There were literally walls of tea! The staff was extremely nice, welcoming and helpful. Each tea has an open sample jar so you can smell each kind. They have both loose tea in cans as well as bags in a box. I bought the Orange Pekoe Ceylan black tea (perfect for breakfast, simple but full bodied) and the Earl Grey French Blue. Best souvenir I brought back from Paris!

If you want to take a date out to brunch in Paris then Mariage Freres is a pretty good (if touristy) choice. Bonus points if your date likes tea. They offer several set menu brunch options, each with scones and tea (free refills), in addition to a standard menu. These set brunches can be split by two people without you going hungry (about 25 Euro per person, then) and while the actual food is only OK to good, the scones and pastries are delicious. Service was kindly available in English, too.