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Aya Radwan
Aya Radwan
Before exploring the various things you can see and do in the 4th Arrondissement in Paris, it’s necessary to understand the Arrondissement system first. The French capital consists of 20 arrondissements or districts. The 4th arrondissement is known as Quatrième, and together with the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd arrondissements, it forms the first sector of Paris.
In addition to being known as Quatrième, the 4th arrondissement is also known as Hôtel-de-Ville. Almost every corner of the 4th arrondissement has a historical building or square, such as the Paris City Hall building from the Renaissance era and the Renaissance square of Place des Vosges. Not to mention the eastern parts of the two famous Seine islands, Île de la Cité and Île Saint-Louis.
In this article, we’ll learn some history about the 4th arrondissement. Then, we’ll head out to explore the different historical buildings and monuments you can visit. I’ve covered you with the best hotels and restaurants in the area. Most importantly, you can shop for basics and some extravagant pieces!
History Snippet: The 4th Arrondissement
If you’re a history and culture lover, the streets of the 4th arrondissement are the perfect hub. You are guaranteed to have an enjoyable day every time between little cafés and shops, historical landmarks and the different streets and squares. The 4th arrondissement is the third smallest arrondissement in Paris.
Although early inhabitants occupied the Île de la Cité since the 1st century BC, the area of the 4th arrondissement on the River Seine has only been inhabited since the 5th century. The southern part of Le Marais is located in the arrondissement, and this area has been home to a significant Jewish population since the 19th century.
What to See and Do around the 4th Arrondissement
Between the folds of the 4th arrondissement are religious buildings, memorials, parks, libraries, cultural centres and museums. Before getting to these landmarks, we’ll learn about one of the most important districts of the 4th arrondissement and Paris: Le Marais.
Le Marais
The Maris district is part of both the 3rd and 4th arrondissements in Paris. For a long time, it was the hub of aristocrats. With an eventful history, the district today is home to many historical, architectural, and fashionable streets in the capital. Many of the buildings in Le Marais have significant historic and architectural importance.
As part of the 4th arrondissement, Le Marais began to build its reputation in 1240, when the Order of the Temple built its fortified church in the northern part of the district. The district earned the Temple Quarter name, and many other religious buildings were constructed nearby, such as the des Blancs-Manteaux and the convents of de Sainte-Croix-de-la-Bretonnerie and des Carmes-Billettes.
Since the beginning of the 17th century, Le Marais gradually became the favourite residence of the French nobility. Under instructions from Henry IV to build the Place Royale, which is currently Place des Vosges, many nobles built their hôtels particuliers there, choosing the area as their place of living.
However, by the end of the 18th century, most nobility had abandoned their homes in favour of other mansions. Only a handful of nobles, including the Prince de Soubise, lived there. The district lost all its nobles during and after the French Revolution and was subsequently forgotten.
After the French Revolution, the district was home to many merchants, and commerce thrived there. Since then, one of Paris’ central Jewish communities started to put down roots in Le Marais. Since the end of the 19th century and the first half of the 20th century, many Eastern European Jews settled around Rue des Rosiers, known as Pletzl.
Even though the Jews helped enrich the Marais’ clothing industry, they were still targeted during the Second World War by the Nazis, and many of them were either sent to concentration camps or killed. After the war, the damage to the district was unmeasurable, and most of the culturally and historically significant buildings fell into disrepair.
Culture Minister Andre Malraux, who served with President Charles de Gaulle, proposed making Le Marais the first secteur sauvegardé, literally safeguarded sector. This was to help protect and safeguard the district’s historical and cultural places. After this, a vast restoration campaign began, and many of its Hôtels particuliers were restored and turned into museums and cultural institutions.
Today, Le Marais is one of the most fashionable districts in the 4th arrondissement of Paris. The district has historical, cultural, and thriving restaurants and cafés. Many of the Marais’ notable places are Center Pompidou, Musée d’Art et d’Histoire du Judaïsme, the largest French museum of Jewish history.
Most hôtels particuliers restored in the district are part of Place des Vosges, such as Pavillon du Roi (the King’s Pavilion), Pavillon de la Reine (the Queen’s Pavilion). There’s Maison de Victor Hugo, Hôtel de Sully and Hôtel d’Angoulême Lamoignon which hosts the Bibliothèque Historique de la Ville de Paris (the Historical Library of the City of Paris).
Now, let’s get to what you can see around the 4th arrondissement!
Religious Buildings in the 4th Arrondissement
1. Notre-Dame de Paris:
When you speak of Paris, the Notre Dame cathedral in the 4th arrondissement is usually what springs into your mind. This beautiful cathedral is known worldwide, even to those who’ve never been to France. Simply known as Notre Dame, its name means “Our Lady of Paris” and is dedicated to the Virgin Mary. The cathedral has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1991.
Several religious buildings stood on the same site before Notre Dame. The first was a Gallo-Roman Temple dedicated to Jupiter. The discovery of the Pillar of the Boatmen in 1710 beneath the cathedral confirms this.
The Cathedral of Saint Étienne was later built on site between the 4th and 5th centuries and was about half the size of the current Notre Dame. Its entrance was about 40 meters west of the present west façade of Notre Dame.
A Romanesque remodelling of the Saint-Étienne was the last building on site before the present-day Notre Dame. The new church wasn’t big enough to accommodate the growing population of Paris. Hence, the Bishop of Paris, Maurice de Sully, ordered the demolishing of Saint-Étienne and the building of a new, much larger church, reusing the materials from the old church.
Construction of the new church began in 1163, and even though the church was primarily completed by 1260, it was modified several times until the construction works were completed in 1345. The church lived a time filled with abandonment, rededication, disfiguration and plunder through and after the French Revolution. Many frescos were tarnished, and the biblical kings’ statues were beheaded after being mistaken for French Kings. Even the restoration works ordered by the new bishop appointed by Napoleon weren’t enough to restore the church to its former glory.
A loud cry by Victor Hugo through publishing his famed novel “Notre Dame de Paris” or “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” succeeded in turning eyes towards the decaying state of the church. The novel was published in 1831, and official restoration works only began in 1844 by official order from King Louis Philippe. Many roadblocks faced the assigned architects and their teams, most significantly the constant reduction of the set budget.
After the restoration works were finished, a new spire and sculptures of mythical creatures were added, and luckily, the church survived with minimal damage during World War II. Massive restoration began in 1991 to reverse the effects of erosion on the cathedral’s stone masonry due to air pollution in Paris. All restoration works were finished just in time for the millennium celebrations at the end of 1999.
In 2019, a fire broke out in the cathedral’s attic in the 4th arrondissement due to ongoing restoration works. Despite the continuous restoration projects, the cathedral’s deteriorating condition only worsened. This prompted another restoration project in 2018, beginning with renovating the cathedral’s spire.
The spire collapsed during the 2019 fire, the part of the wooden roof was damaged, and tons of lead and stone covered the surrounding area. The most important task after the fire was cleaning the area around the debris and stabilizing the cathedral building. It was only in September of 2021 that the agency in charge of the restoration works announced the stabilization of the cathedral building was complete, and restoration works could begin.
The reconstruction team hopes to finish their work by Spring 2024, just in time for the opening of the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. French President Macron stated that the first public mass will be held in the cathedral on 15 April 2024, whether the reconstruction works will be finished by then.
2. Tour Saint-Jacques:
What remains of the demolished 16th-century church, Saint Jacques de la Boucherie, is this 52-meter-high tower in the 4th arrondissement. The former church was dedicated to Saint James the Great and welcomed pilgrims heading to Tours and the Way of St. James. This particular tower was built between 1509 and 1523 and reflected its wealthy patrons: the butchers of the nearby Les Halles market.
The entire church was demolished 1793 during the French Revolution, leaving only the tower. Conservation of the tower was imminent, so it was bought by the City of Paris in 1836 and declared a historical monument in 1862. The tower was restored during the Second Empire and placed on a pedestal, and a small city park was built around it.
There are a couple of statues above and beside the tower. A statue of its saint was installed on top of the tower in the 19th century. A statue of Blaise Pascal, a French scientist, was erected at the base of the tower. While one of the church’s patrons, Nicolas Flamel, was buried beneath the tower.
Recent surveys have revealed that most of the tower’s stone is original, dating back to the 16th century, when the tower was built, and was not restored during the 19th-century restorations. From October 2008 to February 2009, the scaffolds and sheeting were removed, and renovation works on the surrounding park also took place. The park reopened to the public in April 2009.
3. Saint-Gervais-Saint-Protais Church – Le Marais:
This centuries-old church in the 4th arrondissement contains beautiful medieval carved choir stalls, 16th-century stained glass, sculptures from the 17th century, and modern stained glass. The Saint-Gervais-Saint-Protais-Church is located on Place Saint-Gervais in the Marais district. Until 1975, the church was a parish before it became the headquarters of the Monastic Fraternities of Jerusalem.
A church dedicated to the Milanese Saints Gervasius and Protasius existed on the same site as the current church as early as the 7th century, continuously establishing the first church on the right bank of the river Seine. The second and much larger church on the same site was built in the early 13th century.
Construction of the present church began in 1494 using a Gothic architectural style. The building suffered several times because of religious wars and a lack of funds and subsequently stopped. The apse chapels were finished in 1530, the transept was finished in 1578, and the first stone of the French Baroque façade was laid by King Louis XIII in 1616.
Peace in the church was disrupted mainly twice during its history. The first instance was when it was emptied of its contents and turned into a Temple of Reason and Youth during the French Revolution. The building was returned to the church in 1802. The second instance was the falling of a German shell on the church in 1918 as a Good Friday mass was underway inside, thus killing and injuring many.
The church design beautifully combines Flamboyant Gothic architecture with French Baroque style. The French Baroque styled-façade was the first example of this architectural style in Paris. The nave includes late Gothic and Renaissance elements, such as the large semi-circular arches.
The choir stalls are carved with scenes from daily life, and the Chapel of the Virgin at the back of the church has some of the oldest stained glass windows in the Flamboyant Gothic style. The Church of Saint-Gervais-Saint-Protais is also home to many works of art.
4. Saint-Louis en l’Île Church:
French for Saint Louis on the Island, this Roman Catholic Church in the 4th arrondissement has been a historical monument in Paris since 1915. A previous church dedicated to Saint Louis was built on the same site in 1622. Construction of the current church began in 1664 and was eventually finished in 1675. The church’s name is shared with the island it stands, Île Saint-Louis.
5. Temple du Marais – Le Marais:
The Temple Saint-Marie was once historically known as the Church of Sainte Marie de la Visitation. The original Catholic church was built in 1632 as a church of the Order of the Visitation of Holy Mary, founded in 1610. Construction of the church was finished in two years, in 1634, in an original style under the supervision of Mansart and master mason Michel Villedo.
Temple Saint-Marie was emptied of its contents during the French Revolution. It was initially used to store books seized from immigrants and then as a meeting place for revolutionaries. The Temple barely survived demolition while creating Rue Castex in 1805.
The church was converted into a Protestant Church in 1802 after Napoleon’s Concordat of 1801. The chapel and several other churches were designated for Reformed believers who were once forced to practice their faith in hiding after the Revocation of the Edict of Nantes in 1685.
After suffering damage during the Paris Commune, with fierce fighting in front of the building, restoration works began in 1874. Two statues representing charity and religion were added to the pediment on the church’s façade. The church’s organ was built in 1895, with additional works in 1960 and 1992.
Temple du Marais, in the 4th arrondissement, actively participates in its attendees’ daily lives. Four main services are held every Sunday: a French service, an African community service, a Japanese service, and an Arabic service. The church also opens its doors to tourists on Saturdays from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., with guided tours from volunteers.
6. Notre-Dame-des-Blancs-Manteaux – Le Marais:
This Roman Catholic parish church is a historical monument in the Le Marais district of the 4th arrondissement. It was built between 1685 and 1690 on the site of a previous church. The former church was built in 1285 by Les Blancs-Manteaux, or “the white coats.” The white coats also constructed the current standing church.
7. Saint-Merri:
Dedicated to Saint Mederic of the 8th century, Mederic, also spelt as Merry in French, was made the patron saint of the Right Bank in 884. Mederic originally came to Paris on pilgrimage and died there in the year 700. The church is along the rue Saint Martin on the Rive Droite (the Right Bank).
The current church in the 4th arrondissement was built between 1500 and 1550 in a Flamboyant Gothic style. The nave windows were made in the early 16th century. The pulpit was made in 1753, and the church’s bell tower has the oldest bell in Paris, cast in 1331. The church was designated a Historical Monument in 1862.
8. Saint-Paul-Saint-Louis Church – Le Marais:
This church is located on rue Saint-Antoine in the Le Marais district of the 4th arrondissement. An earlier church on the site was dedicated in 1125 to Saint Paul the Hermit, an Egyptian monk regarded as the first Christian hermit buried in the Egyptian desert by Anthony the Great. The church later changed its dedication to Saint Paul of Tarsus.
The current church was built upon the orders of Louis XIII in 1627. Jesuits finished building the church in 1641, combining traditional French elements with Italian ones. The church’s architecture is sometimes compared to the Gesu in Rome. Saint-Paul-Saint-Louis is more extended and broader than the Gesu, especially regarding the tall windows.
Like most religious institutions in Paris, Saint-Paul-Saint-Louis was also affected by political turmoil. The Jesuits were suppressed in 1762,, and the church was reassigned to the canons of Sainte-Catherine-du-Val-des-Ecoliers. As with all churches during the French Revolution, the church was also converted to a Cult of Reason and the Supreme Being. The church was restored to Catholicism in 1802 after the Concordat of 1801.
Cultural Centers and Museums in the 4th Arrondissement
1. Maison Européenne de la Photographie:
The European House of Photography was opened in 1996 and is dedicated to contemporary photographic art. The building housing the museum, the Hotel Henault de Cantobre, was built in 1706 and restored after the City of Paris bought it in 1914. A new wing was added to the Rue de Fourcy, and ironwork and central staircases are examples of classical architecture.
The museum’s design aims to make the different forms of photographic media—exhibition prints, printed pages, and film—easily accessible to everyone. It offers visits, conferences, and film cycles explaining the exhibited works. The museum has been acting as the photographic library of the Paris libraries, archives, and museums, though its services are also extended to all French and foreign institutions.
The hotel’s collections include more than 20,000 works of art, primarily photographs and videos. As many as 24,000 volumes of photography, artists’ books, and technical and theoretical works, including rare editions, are on display in the MEP. Three or four yearly exhibitions are dedicated to artists, themes, and movements of the late 20th and early 21st centuries.
The Hotel houses an exhibition centre, a library, an auditorium, a video viewing room with a vast collection of films, and a café. It also has a photographic restoration and conservation shop. The European House of Photography is open Wednesday through Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., and admission is free every Wednesday from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
2. Mémorial de la Shoah – Le Marais:
Established in 2005, the Museum of the Holocaust is a memorial located in The Marais district of the 4th arrondissement since the district had the largest Jewish population at the beginning of World War II. The opening day was 27 January, which coincided with International Holocaust Remembrance Day and the 60th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz concentration camp.
The memorial consists of several parts: the forecourt includes a memorial listing the names of the death camps and the Warsaw Ghetto. The walls lining the passageway to the building list the names of more than 76,000 French Jews who were deported and murdered by the Nazis. The ashes of the victims from different camps have been buried in the crypt since 1957.
Near the crypt, there are the Jewish files, created to identify Jewish citizens by the Vichy government; the Nazis later used them to track the Jews. The history of the French Jews during the Holocaust is documented and shown in the permanent exhibitions. In addition to photographs, texts, video and audio recordings, there’s an auditorium, a bookstore, a multimedia learning centre, a documentation centre and the Room of Names, a research room.
Another wall is the Wall of the Righteous, which lists the names of more than 3,000 French people acting in France during the Second World War. The names belong to non-Jewish people who helped save the Jews during the war.
3. Maison de Victor Hugo – Le Marais:
Also known as Hôtel de Rohan-Guéménée, Victor Hugo rented an apartment in the building and lived there for 16 years until his death. The building is located in the Parisian square, Place des Vosges, where most mansions were built from 1605. French novelist Paul Meurice donated to the city of Paris to buy the house and turn it into a museum commemorating Hugo.
The museum comprises an antechamber, a Chinese living room, a dining room, and Victor Hugo’s bedroom, where he died. It is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and closes on Mondays and public holidays.
4. Musée Adam Mickiewicz:
The Adam Mickiewicz Museum is dedicated to the Polish poet Adam Mickiewicz, considered a principal figure of Polish Romanticism. The museum was established in 1930 and has been part of the Polish Library of Paris. It displays several of Mickiewicz’s personal belongings and an archive of autographed items. Guided tours with prior reservations are available in the museum on Thursday afternoons and Saturday mornings.
5. Salon Frédéric Chopin:
Located within the Polish Library in Paris, this small museum is dedicated to the Polish composer Frédéric Chopin. The museum is home to several mementoes, including Chopin’s death mask and a casting of his left hand. There are paintings, portraits, autographs, first editions, and Chopin’s favourite chair. Guided tours are available on Thursday afternoons and Saturday mornings with prior appointments.
6. Musée Boleslas Biegas:
Another museum within the Polish Library of Paris is dedicated to the Polish painter and sculptor Boleslaw Biegas. Established by Biegas himself in 1950, the museum contains his paintings, sculptures, and works of other Polish artists such as Olga Boznańska and Tadeusz Makowski. Guided tours are available on Thursday afternoons and Saturday mornings but with prior reservations.
7. Musée de la Magie:
The Magic Museum is also known as Musée de la Curiosité et de la Magie and Académie de la Magie. This private museum occupies the 16th-century cellars beneath the Marquis de Sade’s house. It displays items related to magic shows, including optical illusions, secret boxes, wind-up toys, magic mirrors, and see-through glasses. The museum is open several times a week, and magic shows are also presented.
8. Pavillon de l’Arsenal:
The Paris Center for Architecture and Urbanism is a free-access museum of urban planning that is open every day except on Mondays. The building home to the museum was initially built between 1878 and 1879 and was only turned into a centre of urban documentation and architecture exhibitions in Paris in 1988. The museum’s permanent exhibition displays the evolution of the city and its architecture.
9. Salle des Traditions de la Garde Républicaine:
The Hall of Traditions of the Republican Guards, the ceremonial unit of the French National Gendarmerie. The museum was created in 1984 in a former stable presenting the traditions of the Garde Républicaine from 1802 to the present day, including the infantry, cavalry and military bands. The museum’s collection includes about 1,500 items, including arms, uniforms, equipment, hairstyles, harnessing, musical instruments, and documents. Entry to the museum is free as it is open on weekdays by appointment.
10. Centre Pompidou – Le Marais:
This high-tech architectural style building in the Beaubourg area of the 4th arrondissement is simply known in Paris as Beaubourg. The Pompidou Center is named after the French President Georges Pompidou, who commissioned its construction. An architectural team consisting of Richard Rogers, Su Rogers, Renzo Piano, and Gianfranco Franchini was responsible for the construction.
National Geographic described the unique architectural style of the building as “Love at second sight!” The building was the first example of this reversed building style; people were not used to seeing the structural and mechanical systems and buildings’ circulation exposed on the outside.
The centre is home to the Public Information Library (Bibliothèque publique d’information), the National Museum of Modern Art (Musée National d’Art Moderne), the largest museum of Modern Art in Europe, a public library, and IRCAM (Institute for Research and Coordination in Acoustics and Music). Various exhibitions are held every year on either the first or sixth floors of the Pompidou Center.
11. Musée National d’Art Moderne:
The National Museum of Modern Art is one of the world’s largest museums for contemporary and modern art and France’s national museum of modern art. The idea of creating a museum of modern art was manifested in the collections held in the Musée du Luxembourg, established in 1818 by King Louis XVIII. The museum was the first of its kind in Europe.
The dream of constructing a museum dedicated to modern art was born in 1929. However, the decision wasn’t made until 1934, and the work was only finished in 1937. The museum was built as part of the Palais de Tokyo and temporarily used for another purpose. The war hindered construction works, and the museum missed its opening date in 1939.
Although the museum partially opened in 1942, with only a third of the collections allocated, the real opening took place in 1947. After the end of the Second World War and the addition of foreign school collections from the Musée du Luxembourg, these collections have been displayed at the Musée du Jeu de Paume since 1922.
The museum moved to its current location in 1977 after building the Pompidou Center in Le Marais in the 4th arrondissement. At the Palais de Tokyo, the museum’s collection grew considerably due to its first director’s relationships with many distinguished artists and their families. Works of artists such as Picasso and Braque were added to the museum.
Today, the National Museum of Modern Art holds the second-largest modern art collection in the world, after the Museum of Modern Art in New York. The museum is home to more than 100,000 works of art, including paintings, sculptures, photographs, cinema, architecture, and design pieces. The works of 6,400 artists from over 90 countries date back as early as Fauvism in 1905.
Works on display in the museum are often changed to show the public the variety and depth of its collection. A part of the collection is exhibited every two years, alternately divided between two floors. One is dedicated to modern art from 1905 to 1960 on the 5th floor of Center Pompidou. The second is for contemporary art since 1960 on the 4th floor, in addition to five exhibition halls.
12. Musée Pierre Cardin:
Known for his avant-garde style and Space Age designs, Pierre Cardin has undoubtedly left his touch on the fashion world. In a museum dedicated to the journey of Cardin’s designs, its title is “The work of a lifetime.” Pierre Cardin inaugurated the museum in 2014 to share his love for couture, accessories, jewellery and design.
The museum director, Mrs. Renée Taponier, who worked with Cardin for over 50 years, will usher you during your tour. She will introduce you to the designer’s unique world through the 250 Haute Couture pieces displayed from 1950 to 2000 and explain the fabrics, materials, and techniques used. The museum’s collection has 4,000 Haute Couture pieces regularly alternating on display.
The Pierre Cardin Museum will reopen its doors in 2022!
13. Bibliothèque Historique de la Ville de Paris – Le Marais:
The Historical Library of the City of Paris, commonly known as BHVP, is a public library specializing in the history of Paris. The oldest form of such a library was once part of the Hôtel Saint-Fargeau, once known as Bibliothèque Saint-Fargeau. The current library is located within the premises of Hôtel d’Angoulême Lamoignon in the Marais district of the 4th arrondissement.
Following the destruction of the old city library in 1871, the city moved to create a library dedicated to the history of the French capital under the name Bibliothèque Historique de la Ville de Paris in 1872. The library has been at its current location since 1969.
The Historical Library of the City of Paris is open to the public and provides free access to about a million books and booklets. It contains 21,000 manuscripts, plans, maps, and photographs covering a wide range of Parisian aspects, including topography, history, social, and artistic aspects.
Documents in the library are as old as the 16th century up until the modern history of Paris and the Île-de-France region. Bibliothèque Historique de la Ville de Paris is part of the network of Paris municipal libraries and houses the city’s historical research service.
14. Jardin de l’Hôtel-Lamoignon – Mark-Ashton:
The Hôtel-Lamoignon —Mark-Ashton is a garden adjacent to the Hôtel de Lamoignon in the 4th arrondissement’s district of Le Marais. It was created in 1969 as part of the Bibliothèque Historique de la Ville de Paris. Once the property of the Hôtel d’Angoulême Lamoignon, the garden now belongs to Paris.
The garden was officially named and inaugurated on 1 December 2018, during celebrations of World AIDS Day in Paris. It can be accessed through the Bibliothèque Historique de la Ville de Paris and is regarded as a monument to AIDS victims.
15. Pavillon du Roi – Le Marais:
Rather known as the King’s Pavillon, Pavillon du Roi is located on the opposite side of Hotel de la Reine, the Queen’s Pavillon in Place des Vosges in the 4th arrondissement. Construction of Pavillon du Roi started in 1553 and finished in 1556 based on the designs sketched by Pierre Lescot in the mid-1540s. Some considered the King’s Pavillon as a visual substitute for the demolished medieval Louvre Tower back in 1528 by Francis I.
Inspired by Antonia da Sangallo the Younger’s design of the Palazzo Farnese in Rome, the west and south façades of the Pavillon du Roi have bossed quoins. Such façades affected the architectural scene in Paris during the 16th century. However, the arched ground-floor windows had the most significant effect, being copied by many generations of architects.
Such influence can be seen in the design of the Louvre Colonnade and the French Classical architectural scene in general. The pavilion’s ground floor was occupied by the Royal Council at first, then, in 1672, the seat of the Académie Française. The first floor had two rooms comprising the King’s chambers, Henry IV’s bedroom, and a large ceremonial room where the King held court and sat with ambassadors.
Recent renovation work on the pavilion revealed a corridor connecting the two rooms of the Royal Apartment through to the King’s antechamber from the upper main room of the Lescot Room. To the East of the King’s chambers are the small petit cabinet du Roi and the Queen Consort’s room.
A corridor created west of the pavilion and later expanded by Henry IV in the 1660s led to three places: the Petit Galerie, the Grande Galerie, and Tuileries Palace. On the second floor, an apartment primarily used by the King’s influential relatives and close officials in the 17th century was located. The third floor had an Italian-style belvedere, which was sometimes referred to as the Grande Cabinet.
The Louvre architect Pierre Fontaine led an extensive makeover campaign of the Pavillon du Roi from 1806 to 1817. He had the upper levels demolished to match the pavilion’s height with the Louvre Colonnade’s. Afterwards, he gutted the entire building and drew up new plans for the interior.
On the ground floor, a huge room centred around Venus de Milo, known as the Salle de la Venus de Milo, was created. A smaller transitional room was also set up to open on Salle des Caryatides, currently known as Corridor de Pan. The panelling and ceiling of the two chambers on the first floor, Chambre à Alcôve and Chambre de Parade were removed, and the two rooms were taken down.
Later, Fontaine assembled the two rooms as part of the Colonnade Wing, which is now part of the Department of Egyptian Antiquities. The space of the first and second floors was merged with the 1668 extension to the south, which was never finished. Together, they made for a sky-lit room with a high ceiling called the Salle des Sept-Cheminées.
The successor of Pierre Fontaine, Félix Duban, decorated the Salle des Sept-Cheminées and brought it to life. Recent cleaning works in 2020 and 2021 of this Salle revealed the vibrant colours of Duban’s work and how the colours survived through time until today.
16. Hôtel de Sully – Le Marais:
Built between 1624 and 1630 for the wealthy financier Mesme Gallet, Hotel de Sully is located in Place des Vosges of Le Marais in the 4th arrondissement. The location of this specific mansion was picked carefully to provide access to Place Royale and Place des Vosges today. In 1634, Maximilien de Béthune, the first Duke of Sully, purchased the fully furnished and decorated mansion. He later commissioned the finishing of the redecoration of the mansion.
Sully was an advisor to King Henry IV and his trusted councillor when it came to supervising the rebuilding of the Place Royale, which is Place des Vosges today. The mansion stayed in the Sully family throughout the 18th century, during which they added a new wing, completed in 1660 by Maximilien’s grandson, and several refurbishments were made.
During the 19th century, the mansion became an investment property and was used for rent. Many alterations were made to accommodate traders, craftsmen, and tenants. This was followed by new owners interested in the building’s historical value.
They carried out renovation works on the mansion after it was classified as a historical monument in 1862. The next extensive restoration campaign took place in 1944 and finished in 1973 after the mansion became the property of the City of Paris. Today, the mansion is the seat of the Center des Monuments Nationaux, the French National Organization in charge of National heritage sites.
17. Hôtel de Sens – Le Marais:
The oldest mansion house in the Le Marais district of the 4th arrondissement, Hôtel de Sens, is the home of the Forney Art Library. The medieval mansion was initially built in 1345 as the home of the then-powerful archbishops of Sens. King Charles V used the building for residence until kings settled in the Louvre Palace, where the old mansion was destroyed.
The current mansion was built between 1475 and 1519 and again served as a residence for the archbishops of Sens. When Paris became an archdiocese in 1622, the archbishops lost their power gradually, and eventually, the building fell into disrepair. It was confiscated during the French Revolution and sold in 1797.
Throughout the 19th century, the mansion was privately owned and housed shops, workshops and factories. A cannonball hit the mansion’s façade during the Trois Glorieuses street fights and lodged into the wall. The cannonball is still visible today; the writing beneath it lists the date it hit the wall.
Hôtel de Sens was designated as a heritage site in 1862 and has been home to the Forney Art Library since 1961. The library specializes in decorative arts and hosts small exhibitions accessible to the public. There’s a small garden in the Hôtel, which is rather quiet even during the busiest times in the Le Marais.
18. Place Louis-Lépine:
This square in the 4th arrondissement is located on the île de la Cité. The square takes its name from Louis Lépine, an honourable prefect of the Paris police. It is also home to the famous flower and bird market, the Marché aux fleurs et aux oiseaux de Paris.
19. Rue des Rosiers – Le Marais:
The Street of the Rosebushes is at the centre of the Jewish quarter, unofficially called “Pletzl” in the 4th arrondissement. During the past decade, the little shops around the street and the Rue des Rosiers became notable for being a fashion hub, including some of the trendiest labels.
In general, shopping hours are restricted around Paris. However, an exception was made for the shops on this street because Saturday is the Jewish Sabbath. So, shops and cafés are open in the area on Sundays and holidays, attracting many Jewish and non-Jewish people alike.
Main Squares in the 4th Arrondissement
Several famous squares in Paris also share the 4th arrondissement with other arrondissements. These are as follows:
Place de la Bastille
Who would’ve thought this neatly planned square was once a prison? Simply known as Bastille, this square was structured where the Bastille prison was located, facing three arrondissements in Paris: the 4th, 11th, and 12th arrondissements.
The Bastille was initially built as a defence fort of the city of Paris between 1370 and 1383 during the reign of King Charles V. It wasn’t until the 17th century that Cardinal Richelieu, otherwise known as the Duke of Richelieu, converted the defence building into a prison. Richelieu was the chief minister of King Louis XIII.
The prison mainly held political prisoners, in addition to several religious prisoners, as well as rebellious youngsters held by request of their families. The infamous reputation of the prison started when it was used to hold people detained, according to lettres de cachet issued by the King of France.
Close to the end of the 18th century, the Bastille consisted of eight towers surrounding two courtyards and the armoury. French Kings Louis XV and Louis XVI worked on reforming the penalty system in France, which resulted in the stoppage of the use of dungeons and cells infested with vermin.
During the French Revolution, few prisoners were locked in the Bastille. However, due to its bad reputation, the people of Paris eventually stormed into the prison. On 14 July 1789, around 600 people gathered in front of the prison, asking for surrendering the personnel inside, along with arms and gunpowder. Later that day, they broke into the prison.
The area formerly occupied by the Bastille prison was turned into a square in 1792 to celebrate liberty and freedom. However, building a commemorating monument in the square proved more challenging. The original plan was to build a monument called the July Monument.
The monument was never built, and a fountain was built in 1793. In 1808, Napoleon decided to build a monument shaped like a giant elephant and erected it in the middle of the square. A full-scale plaster model of the elephant was the only structure built, and it was later demolished in 1846. Today’s July Column was ordered to be built by King Louis-Philippe in 1833 and inaugurated in 1840.
Place de la Bastille stands today in the area of the former demolished fort. Even though not much remains of the demolished fort, some stones were uncovered during excavations for the Metro station and were moved to a park several meters away. The outline of the former fort is marked by special bricks in the pavement.
The square is home to the Opéra Bastille, a small marina, the Bassin de l’Arsenal, and the covered canal of Canal Saint-Martin. On Sundays and Thursdays, part of the park in the north of Place de la Bastille is transformed into an open-air market. In addition to food and groceries, you can find many items in the market, such as clothes and all the products you can expect to find in a flea market.
Place de l’Hôtel de Ville
The Square of the City Hall, or City Hall Plaza, is a square in the 4th arrondissement that was once known as Place de Grève. Its current location was once the sandy right bank of the River Seine, where the first Paris harbour was built.
Place de Grève had quite the reputation back in time; it was once a public meeting place and a place where the unemployed gathered in their search for work. Place de Grève is remembered due to its infamous reputation, being the site of public executions in early Paris. Only high-profile executions took place in the square, such as those of the assassin François Ravaillac and the heretic Marguerite Porete.
The history of Place de Grève after that remained bleak. The French Revolution resulted in the use of the guillotine for executions in the square starting from 1792. The square acquired its name from the Hôtel de Ville or the City Hall. The building has been the location of the Municipality of Paris since 1357. It houses the local government council and is a venue for large formal receptions.
Place des Vosges – Le Marais
Shared between the 3rd and 4th arrondissements, Place des Vosges is located in the Le Marais district. Formerly known as Place Royale, the square was once near the medieval royal residence Hôtel des Tournelles. Catherine de Medici, wife of King Henry II, was raised in Roman-styled palaces, so she despised the medieval style of Hôtel des Tournelles.
Catherine took her husband’s death as a sign to order the Hôtel des Tournelles demolished as she acted as regent on behalf of her underage sons. Henry IV tried to revive the old area by establishing a silk, gold, and silver factory, but the project failed. He then donated a considerable part of the area to his noblemen to build and use pavilions.
Place Royale, or Place des Vosges, was established between 1605 and 1612, establishing the first planned square in Paris. Henry IV’s councillor, Duke of Sully, was appointed as the king’s supervisor to oversee the building of the pavilions according to the square’s original outline. The square’s inauguration took place in 1612, celebrating the engagement of Louis XIII and Anne of Austria.
A distinctive trait of the pavilions of Place des Vosges is the unified design of their façades, made of red brick with strips of stone quoins. All pavilions have steep blue slated roofs with the same designated building height. Two pavilions only stand taller than all others, each on either side of the north and south façades: the King’s Pavilion, known as Pavillon du Roi and the Queen’s Pavilion, known as Pavillon de la Reine.
Most nobility living in Place Royale moved out towards the end of the 18th century. The French Revolution saw the remaining nobility move out of the square, which then changed its name from Place Royale to Place des Vosges. The Vosges was the first department to pay taxes in support of the Revolutionary Army.
Many famous people stayed in Place des Vosges over time. Anne of Austria in the Pavillon de la Reine was the only queen to stay there. Madame de Sevigné was born in Hôtel Coulanges, Victor Hugo lived in Hôtel de Rohan-Guémené until his death and even the Duke of Sully lived in Hôtel de Sully.
Place des Vosges today isn’t just a historical square in Le Marais but also home to many museums, restaurants, and shops. The square encloses a beautiful garden with four distinguished fountains decorated with lion heads. The garden is the perfect spot for a leisurely afternoon and the ideal place for a picnic.
Place du Chatelet
Place du Chatelet is on the right bank of the River Seine, between the 1st and 4th arrondissements. At the north end of the bridge, it connects the Île de la Cité to the right bank: Pont au Change.
The square derives its name from a former and now demolished fortification called the Grand Châtelet, which once protected the northern end of the Pont au Change bridge. The stronghold was demolished between 1802 and 1810. The Victory Column, otherwise known as Fontaine du Palmier, stands in the middle of the square as a tribute to French victories in battle.
The Victory Column was built between 1806 and 1808. At the top of the column, a figure of the goddess Victory stands with her hands raised towards the sky, holding a wreath in each hand. The fountain’s base has four figures depicting Prudence, Temperance, Justice, and Strength. The Sphinxes around the fountain represent Napoleon’s victory in Egypt.
The bands of bronze gilt pay tribute to the victories achieved in several battles, including the Siege of Danzig, the Battle of Ulm, the Battle of Marengo, the Battle of the Pyramids, and the Battle of Lodi. The two identical-looking theatres facing Place du Chatelet, the Théâtre du Châtelet and the Théâtre de la Ville, were built between 1860 and 1862.
Place Saint-Gervais
This square in the 4th arrondissement is mainly in front of the Saint-Gervais-Saint-Protais church. For a long time, the square was called Orme Crossroads or Orme Saint-Gervais, as it was a custom to plant an elm tree in front of the church. The elm tree was an essential gathering place where judges solved disputes and debts were paid beneath it.
The old elm tree in the square was pulled out to enlarge the square around 1790. Between 1850 and 1854, the Place Saint-Gervais was enlarged and wasn’t limited only to the space in front of the church. The new name of the square was set in 1881, and the elm tree still standing there was planted in 1935.
Rue du Rivoli
Bearing the name of Napoleon’s victory in the Battle of Rivoli against the Austrian army, Rue du Rivoli is a street running through Le Marais of the 4th arrondissement of Paris. On one of its sides, the street has the north wing of the Louvre Palace, which was symmetrically designed and aesthetically pleasing to admire.
Several kings continued the single façade plan after Napoleon. The Rue du Rivoli construction continued through Le Marais in the 17th century. Opposite the Louvre wing was the Place du Palais-Royale, built for Cardinal Richelieu in 1624.
Opera Garnier was built north of the Rue du Rivoli between 1861 and 1875 during the Second Empire. East along the Rue is the Place des Pyramides, where the national heroine Joan of Arc statue stands. The statue was erected near where she was injured at the Saint-Honoré Gate in 1429.
Today, Rue du Rivoli is a commercial street that is a lively example of historical architecture infused with modernity. Many shops and department stores are on the street, such as the Galeries Lafayette and Printemps behind the Opera Garnier.
Top Hotels in the 4th Arrondissement
There are different hotels at various locations close to the 4th arrondissement. Some offer a great variety of services and excellent prices. Here are some of the top recommended hotels.
1. Hôtel Beaubourg (11, rue Simon le Franc, 4th arr., 75004 Paris, France):
Hotel Beaubourg is in the heart of Paris and is perfect for a weekend away from the bustling daily life. The recently renovated rooms have several services, such as air conditioning and en suite facilities. The hotel is minutes from Notre Dame de Paris, Centre Pompidou, the Louvre, the River Seine, and many other Parisian attractions.
A two-night stay in a classic double room with a double bed and various available services, such as TV streaming services like Netflix and air purifiers, will cost 286 Euros. A superior twin room with two single beds or one large double bed, will be 316 Euros for a two-night stay plus taxes and charges.
2. D’win (20, rue du Temple, 4th arr., 75004 Paris, France):
The modern rooms of this hotel invite you over for a pleasant stay in the City of Light. You will only be minutes away from many historical buildings, landmarks, and metro stations. The hotel has an interior courtyard, which gives you some privacy away from the buzzing streets.
A Comfort Double Room with a large double bed for a two-night stay will cost 402 Euros plus taxes and charges. A family room that can accommodate three adults will cost 478 Euros. An additional cost of 9 Euros can be paid if you choose to have breakfast at the hotel, and all these offers include free cancellation and payment at the property when you get there.
3. France Louvre (40 Rue De Rivoli, 4th arr., 75004 Paris, France):
This typical Haussmann hotel is next to Le Marais and has a 9.3 rating by couples. The rooms, furnished in the Louis XV style, take you back in time. The private bathrooms have a bathtub and shower and, of course, complimentary toiletries.
The building’s vaulted cellars provide a unique breakfast buffet, and you can enjoy a cup of tea in the lounge between 3:00 pm and 8:00 pm. A standard room with a double bed will cost 208 Euros for a two-night stay plus taxes and charges. A single room with a single bed will reduce that cost to 184 Euros for a two-night stay.
Shopping in the 4th Arrondissement
You can find whatever you think of at the shops in the 4th arrondissement, from department stores to stationery shops to even cute boutiques. Here are the best recommendations!
1. Bazar de l’Hôtel de Ville (52 Rue de Rivoli, 75004 Paris, France):
What started as a small boutique shop in a rented space in 1852 became one of Le Marais’s most prominent department stores. The BHV has several other branches in France and the Lebanese capital, Beirut. The department store spans six floors, with each floor specializing in a particular field.
From DIY supplies in the basement to women’s fashion and accessories on the ground and first floors. The bookstore and arts and crafts are on the second floor, while the third houses everything related to culinary arts. Home decorations are on the fourth floor, toys are on the fifth, and the food court is on the sixth.
2. Monoprix (71 Rue Saint-Antoine – 75004 Paris):
Many tourists call Monoprix the French Target, similar to the American department store. It’s true, though, that you will find everything you need at Monoprix. From groceries on the first floor to cosmetics, toiletries, cleaning supplies, and blankets on the second floor! And yes, there are clothes for all ages as well!
Some indoor services also include photocopying and digital photo development. Monoprix opens daily from 9:00 a.m. to 8:50 p.m. and from 9:00 a.m. to 12:50 p.m. on Sundays. If you’re staying in Paris for some time, stop there to get all your needs and supplies.
3. Bijoux Blues (30 rue Saint Paul, 75004 Paris France):
Bijoux Blues is a unique jewellery shop, ranked the number one shopping experience in Pairs on TripAdvisor. The owner, Tatiana, carefully crafts every piece. Her work and exquisite talent have been drawing customers in for years. The store opened in the Marais district back in 2006, and it specializes in making unique pieces with a soul.
Tatiana makes the pieces using Swarovski, Bohemian, and French crystals with natural and semi-precious stones. The best part about this beautiful little shop is that you can buy these unique pieces online from their website. Even better, they offer worldwide free shipping.
4. Papier Plus (9 Rue Pont Louis Philippe 75004 Paris France):
Are you a lover of neat and unique stationery? Well, this place is the right one for you! Located in the Marais district, Papier Plus offers you a variety of stationery products at great prices. Some might consider it a bit pricy. However, you’ll feel it’s worth every penny for their excellent quality!
You can also visit their website to discover the different items they sell. You will find a variety of notebooks, albums, and boxes for other purposes. All the art supplies you can think of are also available, and of course, all things stationery.
Top Restaurants in the 4th Arrondissement
If you’re wondering where to have a once-in-a-lifetime food experience in the 4th arrondissement. Don’t worry; I’ve got you covered!
1. Restaurant H (13 rue Jean Beausire, 75004 Paris France):
With an interesting name, this restaurant lures you in. The Michelin star awarded to the restaurant for its high-quality cooking and for being a delightful place to have your meal is simple proof of the goodness and quality of the food served here. The main French restaurant also offers European dishes and gluten-free options.
The food is exquisite and praised for its warm and inviting feel. The general price range is 35 Euros to 70 Euros, and the menu is surprising, to say the least. A meal consisting of five courses without the amuse bouche, pre-dessert, and petit fours will cost 75 Euros per person. There’s even a whopping seven-course meal that costs 95 Euros. The food in Restaurant H was praised for its taste, authenticity, creativity, and deliciousness.
2. Chez Ajia (4 rue du Roi de Sicile Rez-de Chausee, 75004 Paris France):
A taste of Asia in the middle of one of Paris’ old neighbourhoods, this restaurant serves Asian and Taiwanese dishes. Not only that, but they are also vegetarian-friendly and offer vegan and gluten-free options. The fusion between French and Taiwanese cuisines might initially seem odd, but you only need to try their food to know it works!
With a price range of 6 Euros to 30 Euros, you can enjoy this surprisingly successful marriage of flavours. A unique Raddish Cake and Mushroom Appetizer starter will surely win you over. The Crispy Chicken and the Pork Belly are not to be missed.
3. Berthillon (31 rue Saint Louis en L Ile, 75004 Paris France):
You can’t be in the 4th arrondissement without visiting the famed Berthillon bistro. You will have the best ice cream you can imagine. This luxurious ice cream and sorbet shop has been in business for decades and only became famous when a French restaurant guide called “Gault Millau” wrote about it.
The small restaurant welcomes you to try its unique flavours. With a price range between 13 Euros and 18 Euros, TripAdvisor reviewers described its delicious ice cream as the best in Paris. Another great must-try is its hot chocolate, described as the best in the world.
4. L’As du Fallafel (34 rue des Rosiers, 75004 Paris France):
The Ace of Falafel offers delicious Falafel worth waiting in line for. The restaurant has two lines: one for takeaways and the other for dining in. Expect to wait in line for some time as this Middle Eastern food is trendy among French people and tourists.
They are vegetarian-friendly, offer vegan options, and are Kosher. Their price range is between 10 Euros and 20 Euros. Of course, their most recommended item is the Falafel. Don’t forget to order a side of eggplant and hummus.
5. Comptoir Gourmet (51 rue du Temple Metro Ligne 1 – Station Hotel de Ville, Metro Ligne 11 – Station Rambuteau, 75004 Paris France):
The perfect spot to visit after discovering the Center Pompidou, this restaurant promises good food that will make you want to come back time after time. With an Italian and European menu, they also offer vegetarian-friendly, vegan, and Gluten-free options. The place is also great if you’re travelling with kids, as they will love the food and enjoy themselves.
Praised for servicing authentic Italian food in the heart of Paris, the price range is very reasonable, between 10 Euros and 30 Euros. One dish you must try is their truffle-tasting platter, and then you can pick from your favourite Italian dishes. I’m sure you will fall in love with Italian food again!
You can spend days wondering about the 4th arrondissement of Paris, and it will feel like you need a lifetime to discover its nooks and crannies fully. You won’t be disappointed, and if you’ve ever been there, please share your experience with us!
Paris is packed with landmarks and monuments at every corner. Some places not to be missed are the Arc de Triomphe and the Museum of Romantic Life, just to name a couple!
