Paris 4th district is located at the heart of the city, on the north shore of the Seine River, and includes Saint Louis island and the eastern part of the Ile de la Cite. There are four areas:
- L’Arsenal
- Les îles,
- Saint-Gervais,
- Saint-Merri.
The 4th arrondissement combines historical heritage with modernity. It is known for its narrow cobbled streets, cafes, and shops. It it also home to one of the most active bar scenes in Paris, and offers a large variety of restaurants.
History
The fourth arrondissement has been the scene of important historical events, like the storming of the Bastille prison in 1789 during the French Revolution.
Famous places
Notre Dame de Paris
Located on the Ile de la Cite, the famous cathedral Notre Dame de Paris (« Our Lady of Paris ») was built during the 12th century. With its 13 million visitors each year, it is one of the most visited monuments in France. (Metro station: Cite or Saint-Michel)
Hôtel de Ville
The Hôtel de Ville was built in the late19th century to replace the former one which had been destroyed by a fire. Its white stone architecture and stunning decoration inside and outside make it very pleasing to the eye. (Metro station: Hôtel de Ville)
Le Marais
The Marais (which means marsh) is a district shared between the 3rd and the 4th arrondissements. Most of the area was built in the 16th and 17th centuries. Two thousand years ago it was very wet and unstable marshland, hence its name today. It is now one of the most fashionable districts of the city, with many shops, restaurants, bars and hotels, as well as numerous important museums and monuments, such as Victor Hugo’s house. (Main metro stations: Saint-Paul ; Hôtel de ville)
Centre Georges Pompidou
Created in 1977 by the former French president Georges Pompidou, this complex houses a cultural institution dedicated to contemporary and modern creations, from fine art to books, music and cinema. There are many exhibitions throughout the year, and the Centre has auditoriums, cinemas, and the first Public Information Library in Europe. (Metro station : Rambuteau)
Bastille
Some remains of the Bastille fortress are visible on the metro platform while waiting for a line 5 train. Maps and explanations are available.
(Metro station : Bastille)
Memorial de la Shoah
Opened in 2005, this Memorial comprises a wall with the names of the 76,000 Jews deported from France between 1942 and 1944, as well as millions of artifacts, including tens of thousands of photographs. (Metro station : Saint Paul or Pont Marie)
Population
The 4th arrondissement has 27,977 inhabitants (2008 data).
Restaurants and cafes
Le Colimaçon, rue Vielle du Temple, 75004 PARIS, Tel: 01 48 87 12 01, €30-€60
Le Verre Luisant, rue de la Verrerie, 75004 PARIS, Tel : 01 42 72 67 63, €15-€30
Average price per square meter in the 4th arrondissement
€11,480/sqm (Source: Notaires de Paris)
Useful information
Tourism office in Paris:
www.francetourism.com
Maps of Paris:
www.ign.fr
www.viamichelin.com
Travel from the UK
By air: Easyjet flies from Belfast, Liverpool Newcastle and London Luton to Paris.
Ryanair flies from Shannon, Dublin and Glasgow to Paris.
By rail: Eurostar go from London to Paris in just 2h35.
By car: You can travel by car to Paris by taking the ferries which go from Dover to Calais and then you can take the Motorway to Paris.
You can also cross the channel with the Eurostar and stop at Calais. Then you will travel on the motorway directly to Paris.
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