As the Marias escaped the mid-nineteenth century Hausmann replanning, it contains many Medieval buildings, some of which claim to be the oldest in Paris.

Auberge: Harry Potter fans beware! 51 rue Montmorency belonged to Nicolas Flamel, the famous French alchemist and scrivener mentioned in a number of books, including Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone and The Da Vinci Code. Built in 1407, the Maison du Haut-Pignon is reputed to be the oldest Parisienne Auberge or Inn.

Planned Square: The Place des Vosges was built by Henri IV. A true 140m square, it embodied the first European program of royal city planning. Inaugurated in 1612 to celebrate the wedding of Louis XIII and Anne of Austria, it became the prototype of all the European residential squares that were to come.

Marché des Enfants Rouges entrance in 1905

Covered Market: Dating back to 1612 and completely renovated in 2002, the Marché des Enfants Rouges was named the Market of Red Children after an orphanage dating from 1534 where the children wore red uniforms.

Secular Gothic Architecture: The amazing gothic turrets of the Clisson Manor House are seen from the corner of rue Rambuteau and rue des Archives. This beautiful entrance is all that remains of one of the very few surviving examples of Parisian secular gothic architecture and was built around 1380 for Olivier de Clisson, a city Constable who supported King Charles V of France against the English. However, ironically, the English Dukes of Clarence and Bedford lived there during the English occupation of Paris in the Hundred Years War (1420-35).

Patisserie: In 1725, Louis XV married Marie Leszczynska, daughter of King Stanislas of Poland. His pastry chef Stohrer followed her in Versailles. Five years later, in 1730, that same pastry chef, NICOLAS STOHRER opened his bakery at 51 rue Montorgueil, claimed to be the oldest in Paris.

As it was the medieval center of Paris, the island just south of the Marais, the Île de la Cité, is steeped in history and boasts many of the oldest places and things in Paris:

The oldest Clock in Paris, dating back to 1535, and it still works! On the upper corner of the Palais de Justice building at the corner of Quai de l'Horloge (horloge is French for clock) and Pont au Change.

The oldest Hospital, Hôtel Dieu: Its history is steeped in legend, the Roman Emperor Julien II is said to have built a residence over the remains of a Druid temple. Centuries later, about 651, Saint Landry, the 28th Bishop of Paris, built a hospital at or near this sit. Originally it was built to confine rather than to cure the sick and guards were posted to keep people from getting out and infecting the city. During the French Revolution, it is said that it was the hospital's proximity to Notre-Dame that saved the cathedral from being burned to the ground by the communards, who feared the fire would endanger their wounded comrades in the hospital.

Not far from Notre Dame Cathedral, there is a locust tree that is the oldest Tree in Paris, planted in the square René Viviani in 1601, quai de Montebello. The name of the tree Robinier comes from the name of Jean Robin (1550/1629), the botanist of Henri IV, who brought it to France. Also known as the "Lucky Tree of Paris", it is thought to bring years of good luck to those who gently touch the tree's bark, worth a try!

The oldest Stained Glass: Built in 1246 by St. Louis (Louis IX), much of the Sainte-Chapelle's glass is original and is the oldest in Paris. Sainte-Chapelle, or "Holy Chapel," was originally built to serve as a repository for the reputed Crown of Thorns, said to have been taken from Jesus's crucifixion. It was captured by the Crusaders from Byzantine Constantinople and sent to Paris for safekeeping.

The Oldest Bridge: The Pont Neuf (ironically called the New Bridge) is the oldest standing bridge across the river Seine. By the western point of the Île de la Cité, the island in the middle of the river that was the heart of medieval Paris, it connects the Rive Gauche of Paris with the Rive Droite.

It is impossible to show you everything about this amazing area of Paris, Le Marais. We have chosen a few of our favorite things that are close to our luxury rental apartment. If you are interested in shopping look here. For eating and drinking here. For museums and art here. For history of the area here. Other attractions you can stroll to from the flat, including Notra Dame:
Within 15 minutes walk