Neighborhood Info – Le Marais

The studio is just north of the border between the 3rd and 4th arrondissements, in the center of the Marais district, one of Paris' oldest surviving neighborhoods.

The term "marais" means "marsh" in French and the area north of l'Ile de la Cité was at one time marshland. Used to cultivate the city's vegetables, it was further developed by the Knights Templar in the 12th century. By the 17th century, the Marais had become the center of the French aristocracy, a trend anchored in the construction of the Place Royale (Place des Vosges) by Henri IV in 1605.

In the 18th and 19th centuries, after the departure of the royal court to Versailles, industry took over the neighborhood and it deteriorated into poverty. The Marais' historic architecture was almost lost to development and demolished, however, in the 1960s, thanks to the efforts of André Malraux, a community movement prevented its destruction and helped it to gain its protected historic status.

A short walk down most any street in the district will show examples of impressive mansions or "hôtels particuliers", many of which have been restored. The area today is home to museums, art galleries, and historic sites as well as countless boutiques, restaurants and cafés.

A Few Marais Attractions
La Place des Vosges
La Rue des Rosiers
La Rue de Bretagne/Le Marché des Enfants Rouges
L'Hôtel de Ville
Le Centre Pompidou
Le Musée Carnavalet
Le Musée Picasso

Other Paris Resources
Metro/Bus
Train/Rail
Events
Movies