Le Marais

City of Lights
Ahh, Paris, the City of Lights, a friendly city where culture and art mix and mingle on a daily basis. You only have to turn around to discover historical treasures that await visitors to explore them. One could almost imagine that it was not really so very long ago that the kings and queens of the Middle Ages ruled in magnificent splendor here in Paris.

Life in the Swamp
Le Marais is another one of those areas in Paris steeped in history and antiquity. The name means the swamp and before it was cultivated it was just a plain swamp. It began to grow and change with the help of the Knights Templar when convents began to form and the church drew people to the area.

It later became part of the city under Charles V when he extended the city wall and the city’s boundaries.

Steeped in Age
When you walk down the streets of the Marais you will see some of the oldest buildings in France. They are wonderful to look at and it makes for a very pleasant afternoon. The restorations that have taken place over the years are simply amazing.

You will find it fascinating to be standing in the same place where Henri II died after a tournament and Catherine de Medici walked before deciding to tear down the palace there. At one time in history, during the reign of Henri V, the Marais was the height of fashionable life. He had build the place Royale.

It did not last long when the favoritism of the king and aristocracy turned to Versailles. The city was taken over by artisans and industry and became laden down with slum tenets. In 1960 the tide again turned and the area has been renovated and is now a place of thriving business and history.

Rue des Francs-Bourgeois
This is the main street that runs through the Marais. It is home to modern day residents, museums, offices, libraries and exclusive shops.

The Archives Nationales de France and the Musee de l’Histoire de France are along this street. Papers documenting some of France’s colorful past are stored here including the transcripts from Joan of Arc’s trial. There is even a picture of her drawn on the side.
You can see a tower from here that formed part of the city wall. Built by King Phillippe-August when he built the fortress that would become the Louvre.

Another wonderful point of interest along this street is a library, Bibliotheque Historique de la Ville de Paris, housing centuries of text, books and picture books, all written about the city.

Musee Carnavalet
This museum tracks the history of Paris from beginning to modern day. Watch history unfold through paintings, sculptures and other magnificent pieces of art and archeological discoveries. There are salons and boudoirs superbly decorated in the lush style of the time they represent.

Visitors can also look into what life was like at the time of the French Revolution. On display is the original Rights of Man document , models of the guillotine and Bastille as well as copies of execution orders. A grim reminder of a bloody period of history for France.

Other Historic Sights
In the Marais you can also visit several other mansions that are now museums. The Musee Cognaq-Jay showcases a collection of eighteenth-century art collected by the Cognaq-Jay family. There are excellent pieces by the Masters such as Rembrendt and Canaletto. Sevres porcelain, Louis XV furniture, and a magnificent still life done by Chardin complete the treasures. The history of this family, who started the Samaritaine department store, is displayed on dioramas on the tenth floor.

Two other slightly different museums are open to visitors too. Musee de la Serrure-Briccard is housed in the basement of the Hotel Liberal-Bruand and its theme is security and locks.

Then there is Musee de la Chasse et de la Nature. For the lover of the hunt you can see an array of all kinds of trophies and animals related to hunting. Weapons from as far back as the Stone Age are exhibited as well as exquisite crossbows. French paintings of the hunt are also on display.

The Musee Picasso needs little explanation. It has the largest collection of Picassos anywhere in the world. Mementos on his life and displays of art he purchased are all part of the exhibits.

The Jewish Quarter
One of the most wonderful attractions here is the Jewish Quarter. It seems like time has decided to stand still. On the rue des Rosiers, which is the heart of the community, you will find a fascinating array of kosher butchers, bakeries and other small food places, unique to the Jewish.

The Jewish Quarter abounds with the flavors and traditions of the Jewish community. It is a fascinating place to go and learn about many of the trials and tribulations the Jews went through in World War II or just discover what life is like for this interesting culture.

These places only but touch on what can be discovered in the Marais. There is the place des Vogues, the Maison de Victor Hugo, Mission de Patrimone Photographique, churches and the Quartier de Temple. Not to mention Muse d’Art et d’Histoire de Judaisme, Chinatown, the South Quarter and the Musee des Arts et Metiers.

A French smorgasbord of culture, history and modern day life just waiting to be tasted and enjoyed by you.