Beaubourg and the Centre Pompidou Area

The Beaubourg neighborhood lies at the heart of the city, where you’ll discover some of the capital’s finest museums and cultural centers, as well as vibrant cafes, restaurants, and quirky boutiques.

• The Centre Georges Pompidou serves as a modern hub for French art and culture, featuring multiple galleries and a museum, in addition to a public library, coffee house, and bookstore.
• The National Museum of Modern Art, housed in the Pompidou center, showcases nearly 50,000 works of art, representing one of the most extensive and prestigious collections of modern art in the world.

The Marais Neighborhood

The Marais neighborhood (the term means “swamp” in French) beautifully preserves the narrow streets and traditional architecture of Medieval and Renaissance Paris. Additionally, it’s a prime area for experiencing nightlife in Paris and is considered one of the top districts to explore after dark.

The area is rich in culture, architecture, and history; thus, selecting what to focus on first may prove challenging. Key highlights include:

• The St-Paul St-Louis Church, one of the oldest examples of Jesuit architecture in Paris, commissioned by Louis XIII and completed in 1641.
• The Hotel de Sens is a Medieval mansion built between 1485 and 1519, notable for its fascinating blend of Medieval and Renaissance architectural styles.
• The Place des Vosges, often regarded as the most beautiful square in Paris, served as a royal recreational area for various French monarchs and houses the former residence of Victor Hugo, where you can visit the Maison Victor Hugo.
• Old Jewish District (Rue des Rosiers and Le “Pletzl”) is the main thoroughfare of the Marais’ historic Jewish quarter, recognized for its Middle Eastern and Yiddish culinary specialties. Tourists and locals alike enjoy the delicious falafels offered by restaurants along Rue des Rosiers.
• Shoah Memorial and Museum, inaugurated in 2005, integrates the Centre de Documentation Juive Contemporaine (Contemporary Jewish Documentation Center) and the Memorial of the Unknown Jewish Martyr, built in 1956.
• Hotel de Ville (Paris City Hall) was originally constructed in the mid-14th century and underwent significant reconstruction post-Franco-Prussian war in the late 19th century. Interestingly, this locale was previously the site of numerous public executions over the centuries, a grim history now largely forgotten.
• St-Gervais St-Protais Church features a flamboyant mix of Gothic and neoclassical design, built on the site of a 6th-century basilica.
• The Place de la Bastille shared by the 4th, 11th, and 12th arrondissements, is a picturesque square where the famous Bastille prison once stood. Today, the Bastille square is vibrant with concerts, cafes, bars, and nightclubs.

The Ile Saint-Louis Neighborhood

The Île Saint-Louis neighborhood is the small island on the Seine River, located south of the main Paris island. It stays in close proximity to the nearby Latin Quarter, one of the most visited areas in the city. In addition to an array of shops and cafes favored by tourists, the Ile Saint-Louis is home to several landmark sites that should be experienced:

• Notre Dame Cathedral, recognized globally as a premier house of worship, features stunning high-Gothic architecture. It was immortalized in Victor Hugo’s The Hunchback of Notre Dame, built between the 12th and 14th centuries. Notably, its remarkable front rose window and iconic gargoyles symbolize Paris as much as the Eiffel Tower does for many visitors. Exploring the archaeological crypt can deepen your understanding of the medieval roots of Paris.
• The Ile de la Cite is a natural island on the Seine where the Celtic tribe, the Parisii, settled in the 3rd century BC.
• Seine River Booksellers stand out uniquely. More than 200 independent booksellers, known as Bouquinistes, can be found along the Seine’s banks, from Pont Marie to the Louvre, as well as from Quai de la Tournelle to Quai Voltaire on the left bank.