Le Marais ( 3rd and 4th districts or  ‘arrondissements’) is the area of central Paris bordered by the Seine to the south, 1st and 2nd districts to the west, Republique to the north and Bastille to South East.

Once  marshland, it was drained in the 12th century and from the 16th Century, the aristocracy built large residences and the creation of Place Royale, which later became Place des Vosges

in 1605 by Henri IV.

Once  Louis XIV’s court moved to Versailles, the district slowly declined. Haussmann's urban redevelopment  marginally affected the Marais which retains it’s quaint street pattern.

In 1969 the Marais became the first protected sector (secteur sauvegardé), with  many museums, art galleries and historic sites.

One of the most interesting streets is the famous

rue des Francs-Bourgeois and on Sundays, the area between rue de Rivoli, rue de Turenne and rue de Temple becomes a pedestrian precinct  .

The Marais, particularly towards the north near République is also famed for a strong Chinese community.

Other features of the neighbourhood include the Musée Picasso, the house of Nicolas Flamel, the Musée Cognacq-Jay, and the Musée Carnavalet.

LE MARAIS   PARIS

Rue de Bretagne between Rue de Temple and Rue de Turenne has many food shops and one of the oldest markets in Paris, Marche des Enfants rouge.

From Place des Vosges to the Marché des Enfants Rouges, from Carnavalet Museum to the Carreau du Temple, you will find amongst many other monuments, and an abundance of cafes, restaurants and brasseries as well as pockets of  peace and quiet .

LE MARAIS TODAY

Situated on the right bank, it is a convenient area to base oneself whilst in Paris. It is close to many major attractions, the Latin Quarter is across the river and Palais Royale and the Louvre nearby. Spared by the redevelopment of Paris in the 1800’s, it is a maze of small streets and a delight to wander about.

The rue des Rosiers is still a major centre of the Paris Jewish community, where a rennaissance has occured since the 1990s, with numerous restaurants and other outlets selling kosher food.

The synagogue on rue Pavée not far from rue des Rosiers

is a strong religious centre.

It was originally designed in 1913 by Art Nouveau architect Hector Guimard, famous for having designed several Paris Metro stations.

Place des Vosges