A friend sent me tea from Mariage Freres long ago, and since that time I have wanted to visit when I was next in Paris.

But there are so many locations?! Do you have a particular preference? Which would you recommend?

I'm leaning towards the location at 30 rue du Bourg-Tibourg. I want to visit the Pompideau Center and Eglise St. Merri, and it might be nice to go to MF not only to peruse the tea selection, but perhaps have a light meal or tea as they are all located fairly close together.

Your thoughts?

I like the one in the Marais. I bought one of their small
Chineese red oriental shaped canisters to keep your tea in.

Thank you! Perhaps we will be able to meet up since it looks like our visits overlap some.

http://www.mariagefreres.com/boutiqu...in+A92464.html
This is the one I bought. It's small

Very nice.

I went to the MF in the 6th, only because that was the most convenient. I will tell you it was the best hot tea I've ever had in my life.

I'm not sure it even makes a difference. Pick the one closest to and most convenient for you.

It is incredibly good tea!

To buy the tea, any one of them is fine. To drink it, we prefer the Cafe L'Esplanade in the 7th, overlooking Les Invalides. Elegant and comfortable - soft chairs, good service, and quiet (it's not particularly child-friendly). It was our default 4 pm tea break on daytrip to Paris from Brussels.
We also have two teapots from MF - one a pretty celadon and the other their special glass teapot. Delicate but beautiful.

Thank you all for the input!

TO the very happy so nice country

Is decaf tea available to buy at these shops?

I'm afraid I don't know. Maybe you could check their website? www.mariagefreres.com

I just bought some a couple of weeks ago in the shop under the Louvre...it's where the Virgin Megastore used to be. They were just across from there two years ago and closed last year..but now reopened at the new location. I was going to buy at the the Madeleine(sp) location but they either closed or I was completely turned around...always possible I'm afraid!

Thanks. Apparently, decaf tea is called theine-free tea or Detheinated tea. They carry only three types.

I visited the MF at Place Madeline (sp?) location in March. It's on the side by L'Ecluse.