The Marais is an emblematic district of Paris. With its narrow streets, trendy shops, small terraces and hidden gardens, it is perfect for strolling and getting lost. And this for many years, the district has been preserved and retains its charm of yesteryear. And there is reason, because it has a rich history of several centuries.
1. There is the oldest house in Paris
At 51 rue de Montmorency is the oldest house in Paris. If some people think that the oldest house in Paris is that of 3 rue Volta, it is not so. It has been proven that the house of Nicolas Flamel, the famous alchemist to whom we owe the legend of Philosophical Stone, is indeed the oldest that can be dated. Indeed, it was completed in 1407 and still stands proudly in the small street. The one who gave it his name never lived there but housed the poor there. Note that the building now houses a hostel of good quality.
2. The Marais takes its name from the marshes on which it was built, but not only…
Le Marais seems to be quite a name eloquent. Yet it is a two-way street. Indeed, this part of Paris has long been a marshy area since it was located between two arms of the Seine. A tributary has dried up and has therefore given way to a particularly fertile. ccommunities of monks therefore settled in this location to work the land and transform it into large market gardening areas from the 9th century. And so it is also thanks to these vegetable which served to feed many Parisians that the Marais is so called!
3. It is the cradle of the Templar order
The biggest house of Templars of France was around the current 3rd district town hall arrondissement. The route is still visible there today. In this commandery, the mysterious order of the Templars hid the famous treasure of the temple. Some whisper that he would still be buried somewhere, since he was never found...
4. Culture in mansions
The mansions are legion in the Marais. It was a high place of residence for the nobles in the XNUMXth and XNUMXth centuries. Miraculous from the Great Works of Haussmann, the district has kept its side GENUINE, its steep streets and above all, its magnificent mansions with secret gardens. It was therefore necessary to find a use for these extraordinary buildings. The Hôtel de Soubise houses, for example, part of the National Archives. THE Carnavalet Museum (closed for works until 2019) is located in the hotel of the same name and in the Le Peletier hotel in Saint-Fargeau. The Hôtel de Sens and its medieval architecture welcome the pretty Forney library… Do not hesitate to walk the streets and cross the impressive gates to let yourself be surprised.
Photo credit of one: Worshipthatlistening
To read also:
Stroll around the Place de la Madeleine
The Pavillon de la Reine, the hotel to know place des Vosges
