The City of light, PARIS has a fantastic lure even for native Parisians who cannot imagine living in another place in the world !
Parisian lifestyle is a mix of historical legacy, cultural event, shopping without limits, a luxury vibration felt more intensively in some quarters,
gastronomic appeal, endless walks and streets to discover all along the reflect of the sun or moonlight
That’s why it’s important to know your goal when looking for an apartment in Paris: it may not be the same if you are parents of several young children and looking for the best schools and parks, or if you are looking for a « PIED A TERRE » in order to spend a few weeks in Paris !
I am French and a Parisian native, and live in the district called: le MARAIS one of the most popular and historical districts of Paris, I would love to tell you more about it !
First, geographically, the MARAIS stretches through 2 districts : the 3RD and the 4TH arrondissements , with sub-districts and whose specific characters reveal diverse personalities !
Historically, it’s fascinating to have in mind that its name is coming from the marshes it was before the XIIth century when first monasteries established in this part of the city and also to remember they were golden age when the kings decided to live in, for instance the PLACE DES VOSGES ( 75004 ) called in the ancient ages, « PLACE ROYALE » which construction was ordered by king HENRI IV in 1604. You may have noticed if you have had the pleasure to walk around there, the mansion of the queen facing the mansion of the king. They are the 2 tallest mansions of the square, all others being of the same height !
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Places des Vosges : under the arcades
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And a part of this heritage when the Marais was not anymore attractive and disdained by the aristocratic families who reached the left bank and the west of Paris attracted by Versailles, where the kings LOUIS XIV, LOUIS XV and LOUIS XVI decided to live at the end of the XVIIth century till 1789 !
The beautiful mansions became workshops and places where workers use to live and work
Since the 60’s and thanks to the vision of our culture minister ANDRE MALRAUX the Marais district has been protected from destruction, and completely renovated
In the end of XIXth century and beginning of XXth centuty, XVIIth and XVIIIth century mansions were in danger and struck of unhealthy conditions ( even of insalubrity) and Andre Malraux was willing to save them from destruction, he was passing a law to protect and safeguard their cultural and historical heritage .
The Marais, thus became the first ever protected district of France
And this law is often evocated by notaries when deeds concern properties located in this part of PARIS as : the preservation plan of the Marais quarter.
Virtually all the Marais buildings are protected as HISTORICAL MONUMENTS and cannot be altered in any way
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Rue Aubriot mansion 75004
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Let’s discover the multifaceted character of the two faces of the Marais quarters:
11) An extremely desirable neighborhood
Near the SEINE is the 4TH district including the 2 islands: Ile de la Cité, and Ile Saint Louis and different sub-districts with in each one with their own charm and attraction
Near the mythic Place des Vosges, you will discover the charming Place Sainte Catherine, formerly a covent, and the home of the beautiful mansions, rue St Antoine like the HOTEL DE Sully, owned by the same family till the 50’s, the Hotel des ARCHEVEQUES DE SENS, and you will also discover the BEAUBOURG MUSEUM and square ( built by president Pompidou in 1977, designed by Renzo Piano )
This audacious modern museum building and open area contrast with the environment of the preserved Marais quarter, and attracts many tourists with its cafes and art galleries
Notre-Dame on the Ile de la Cité, the Seine banks on flowers bank ( Quai aux fleurs ) or Bourbon bank, offer spectacular views of historical properties part of the preserved historical quarters of the Marais .
With very limited turnover, family apartments for sale are not numerous.
Different communities live in several sub-districts in the Marais:
For instance near the St PAUL Metro, also called the PLETZL (in Yiddish : « the small place ») , between rue des Rosiers and rue Pavee, is the Jewish quarter with its synagogues and delicious restaurants
Near rue Sainte-Croix de la Bretonnerie and rue des Archives, is the « gay » district with its bars, small theaters, bookstores and brand new fashionable shops
Bourgeois, trendy and central at the same time, the 4th district attracts several profiles. Not only a " district museum " in spite of the uncountable monuments, it is a place where local people highly appreciates to live in!
You will notice (in the column “MARKET STATS”) the prices of the Marais district never have never gown down since his popularity rose in the 60’s.
On the right bank of the river Seine, to the north, is the 3rd district called MARAIS and HIGH MARAIS, a central part of Paris with protected monuments as well, some museums and more typical Parisian lifestyle combining village life with food markets, like the Red Children Market ( created in 1628), so-called in reference to children coming from an orphanage wearing red uniforms. This market is located on rue de BRETAGNE, one of the most popular streets in this part of the 3rd quarter, which also boasts cafes, bars, galleries, fashion shops.
2) Architecture and residential areas
At the end of middle ages, the gentry and aristocratic families chose the Marais to establish their residences, which remained till the baron Haussmann renovated Paris at the end of XIXth century
The Hotel de Clisson, also called Hotel de Soubise ( since the XIVth century) located at the corner of rue des Archives and rue des Francs Bourgeois became the Head Office of The National Archives, and the Hotel de Rohan rue Vieille du Temple, the Hotel de Marle rue Elzevir and many others which are hosting cultural center, associations or museums
Among them, the famous Hotel Sale (built in 1656) a private mansion at 5 rue de Thorigny in 3rd arrondissement, house which in 1974 a year after his death, became the Picasso Museum.
Owned by the City of Paris, the building was awarded Historic Monument status on 29 October 1968.
The National Picasso Museum was inaugurated in October 1985.
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Hotel de Salé PICASSO MUSEUM
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These beautiful mansions, symbols of these past centuries, are inspiring jewels of the district
Some museums : the Doll Museum, Impasse Berthaud, the Museum of Art and Judaism rue du Temple, the Carnavalet Museum (built in 1560), rue des Francs Bourgeois and many art galleries and bookstores rue du Grenier Saint-Lazare gather mix of interest of different people attracted in this district , with high revenue who can afford high square meter prices
Hype and residential, urban and bourgeois, arty and fashion , this part of the Marais offers a multifaceted face, always attractive and highly
desirable by native Parisian and foreigners ! To discover as a MUST before buying an apartment in Paris !
