The Marais district is a unique place that attracts many visitors, both tourists and locals, every year. It offers a multitude of activities and cultural, gastronomic and artistic discoveries. Join us as we delve into the history of the capital's most fashionable district.

The Marais owes its name to its past form. Indeed, like a large part of the current downtown Paris, the area was a vast swamp, and when urbanization began, the area was occupied by market gardeners. A double etymology that reminds us of the existence of Paris for more than two millennia.

During the 16th and 17th centuries, numerous private mansions were built in the Marais, a neighborhood that became popular with the bourgeoisie. The Kingdom also took an interest in this new district and constructed the Place Royale, the first of its kind in Paris, at the very beginning of the 17th century. From then on, the district continued to develop. It was, in fact, one of the only neighborhoods "spared" by the major Haussmann transformations of the mid-19th century. In the 1960s, the district was the subject of a major restoration and preservation plan launched by the Ministry of Culture.

Today, walking through the Marais means strolling through streets full of charm, visiting numerous private mansions, entering designer boutiques, and stopping in the capital's trendiest bars. A "Gay friendly" neighborhood before its time, the Marais remains the place where you will find the largest number of LGBT addresses.

In the heart of the French capital, the Marais is a veritable melting pot of culture, history and trends. This historic district is packed with places not to be missed, such as :

• Place des Vosgescreated in 1604 on the initiative of King Henry IV, was the first royal square in Paris. This was the name it bore until the French Revolution. Even today, it has preserved its original state (brick, stone and tile facades), sublime and explosive! Among the many private mansions on the square, you can visit (free of charge!), the House of Victor Hugo as well as the Renaissance courtyard of the Hôtel de Sully.

• The Musée Carnavalet or Museum of the History of Parisis housed in a private mansion dating from the 16th century.^. century. Inside, the permanent collection will take you on a tour of the world's most beautiful city through the centuries, from the first inhabitants, the Parisi, who settled on the Île de la Cité in 250 BC, right up to the present day. It's magnificent, exciting and free!

• The Archives Museumhoused in the former Hôtel de Soubise, is a jewel! Like all the other museums belonging to the City of Paris, this museum is free. So if the history of the archives doesn't enchant you, go and visit the rococo-style salons and flats dating from the first half of the 18th century.^. century. A real castle in the heart of Paris!

• The Picasso Museum Paris is also housed in a private mansion dating from the 17th century.^. century, and not the least spectacular. So even if you've had enough of visiting Picasso museums all over the world, go there for the beauty of the site. It's worth remembering that Picasso lived in Paris, and in Montmartre in particular, for around ten years at the very beginning of the 20th century.^. century. It's practically French!

• The old Jewish quarter and rue des Rosiers The Jewish community has historically settled in this part of Paris. Many Jewish restaurants, shops and bakeries can still be found here today. Not far away, in the rue Pavée, you can admire the astonishing art nouveau synagoguedesigned by the architect Hector Guimard (the creator of the metro station!).

The list is far from exhaustive, as there are countless remarkable sites and museums in the Marais district. But let's not forget the town hall and town square, the Philippe Auguste wall, the George Pompidou Centre, the Protestant Temple and the Hôtel des Archevêques de Sens.. The Marais is well worth a visit! There are so many possible itineraries, it may be worth hiring a guide for a complete tour of this unspoilt part of the capital.

Each year, during the European Heritage Days, the Marais district in Paris opens its doors wide to allow visitors to discover its architectural and cultural treasures. The 4th arrondissement actively participates in this event, with about twenty places accessible to the public, such as libraries, churches, and private mansions.

Our advice: Every Sunday, some streets in the district are made pedestrian-only, perfect for a day of visiting on foot or by bike!

A visit to the Marais is a must for anyone wishing to discover Paris's cultural treasures. In this fashionable district, there's something for everyone and at every price. So don't hesitate and let yourself be tempted by a trip to one of these emblematic places!