Your Guide For Things To Do In The 4th Arrondissement Of Paris

Visiting The 4th Arrondissement

Located on the right bank (north of the River Seine and across from the 5th and 6th arrondissement) is the charming 4th district. You may also hear the 4th arrondissement referred to as Le Marais, as it spills over into the 3rd and 4th. It also encompasses Île Saint-Louis and part of Île de la Cité. (confusing for sure).

We enjoy this arrondissement for its stately buildings, iconic church, beautiful green spaces, and an unending number of restaurants and cafes. There is always something to do in this area, which can make it quite busy. But that is what contributes to its charm.

The district is longer rather than wide, and we found walking the 4th very doable. But depending on how much time you have, you could easily take the subway to one end and work your way back.  There is no lack of things to do in the 4th arrondissement of Paris! We hope you find some inspiration in this blog post for planning your visit.

Highlights of the 4th Arrondissement 

✅ To enjoy the major highlights of the 4th arrondissement, consider booking a guide for either a private or small group tour. This 5-star walking tour offers a wonderful, in-depth look at many of the district’s treasures.

Notre-Dame Cathedral

The crown jewel of the 4th arrondissement is, of course, the Notre Dame. After suffering a devastating fire in 2019, this incredible cathedral was closed for five years for repairs and restoration. I remember crying as I watched the footage of this iconic building burning on TV. As someone watching it from across the ocean, it looked like a hopeless situation.

But as we visited Paris over the years, we watched as the roof was repaired and the building was brought back to life. But we had no idea about the amazing transformation that was taking place inside.

After the reopening, we planned our next visit to Paris to be in the 4th so we could get back inside and see what had been accomplished. Were we ever surprised at the beauty of the interior!

Every single inch of surface area has been cleaned and restored, resulting in a bright and airy space. One can only imagine that this is what the church looked like when it was first built in the 12th century. 

We were stunned to see the stone vaults back in place, the statuary and artwork sparkling and the stained glass gleaming in the sun. It is truly a work of art and such a joy to see.  The exterior is still undergoing work to bring back all the spires, and we have no doubt that they will be just as spectacular as the originals.

With donations pouring in from 150 countries around the world, thousands of artisans and craftsmen have worked tirelessly on the restoration. They have used the same original materials and building methods to recreate the structure and stayed true to its original design. It has been a huge undertaking, and it shows.

Here are some interesting facts:

• 2000 oaks were used to rebuild the wooden framework
• 2000 statues and decorative features were restored or remade
• 1000m3 of stone were used to rebuild the walls and vaults
• 4000m2 of lead were used to rebuild the roof

Walking through this building is an experience like no other. You can almost feel the love of the restorers oozing from the walls. Everyone wanders around looking at it in awe. It is hard to explain, so we suggest you just go and see it to understand.

✅ If you would like to delve deeper into exploring Notre Dame, consider this 5-star tour, which offers reserved access and provides valuable insights into this incredible building.

Hôtel de Sully

If you enjoy grand buildings and impressive architecture, be sure to drop by the Hôtel de Sully. This striking monument was originally the private mansion of the Duke of Sully during the 17th century. It now houses the offices of the National Monuments Centre.

The building is not open to the public, other than a bookshop, but you can enter the courtyards from rue Saint Antoine. Inside, you can take in the very detailed carvings in the facade and the intricate decorations around the windows.

Once you pass through the first area, you will then come upon a lovely formal garden that offers a nice spot away from the busyness of the city. The courtyards provide a convenient cut through to the Place des Vosges. Take a nice walk through here and see how the high society lived.

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Place des Vosges

Perhaps one of the most utilized spaces in the 4th arrondissement is this gorgeous park area. Originally called the Place Royale when it was created in the 17th century, it was renamed in the 18th century to honour Louis the 13th.

At any point during a sunny day in Paris, you will see people lounging on the grass with a picnic, sitting on the benches and generally relaxing around the manicured green grass and fountains.

The square has large, stately buildings (originally homes) with red facades surrounding it and an arcade that provides shaded access around the perimeter. All along the arcade, you can check out the designer shops, art galleries, boutiques and many restaurants and cafes. 

We stopped in at Carette, a pretty cafe that has been designed in keeping with the opulent style of the Louis the 13th surroundings. You can sit at the classic cafe and enjoy the amazing pastries. But make sure to have the hot chocolate (chocolat chaud) with the cream. It is fabulous! It even rivals the chocolate chaud we have enjoyed at Laduree!

Maison de Victor Hugo

Located in Place Vosges is a little museum of the apartment of the famous French writer, Victor Hugo. This is the location where he lived from 1832 to 1848.

The apartment follows the different periods of his life – before, during and after his exile from France. You can see the salons, drawing room, bedroom and many others that showcase different styles of design, including vibrant Chinese and elaborate Gothic decorations. 

The museum does a great job of highlighting the author’s life and important works and we feel like we left with a better understanding of the man himself.

We love it when artists are honoured by creating museums within their home or studio locations, and we enjoy visiting them. We have been to see the home of Charles Trenet in Narbonne and where Vincent Van Gogh spent the last year of his life in Saint Remy.

To enter the apartment, there is no fee. There is only a charge for special exhibitions that rotate through the museum. It is open every day except Monday.

Rue des Rosiers

Meaning Street of the Rose Trees, this lively area was traditionally known as the Jewish quarter. While this is an area with a dark history due to the awful acts that happened here during the German occupation, it is now completely transformed.

The Jewish community opened many restaurants and small shops, but over the years, it has seen a redevelopment that has many more large fashion stores moving in. 

The small streets with light posts and beautiful buildings still have a charm of their own. It is a quaint area to explore and still enjoy some traditional foods, including the famous bakeries.

It is recommended to visit L’as du Fallafel for an authentic meal from this popular Israeli hot spot, as they respect kosher protocols. If the lineup is too long and you are hungry, take a walk down the street to the next falafel shop, as there are many.

It is also worth noting that while most stores are closed on Sunday in Paris, this area has an exception due to the Jewish Sabbath on Saturdays. So Sunday can be a great day to visit.

Saint-Paul Village

This little neighbourhood with several courtyards has been transformed into a great shopping spot. The pedestrian zone with cobblestone streets features vendors selling a wide range of items, including antiques, vintage goods, art, decor, clothing, and books. There are also several restaurants to enjoy snacks or a meal.

It is a lovely spot for a stroll as you pass under several arches to explore this village within the city. Keep in mind the village doesn’t open until 11:00am.

St Paul St Louis Church

This church has an interesting history. It is the story of two churches that started in 632 when the Saint Paul des Champs chapel was originally built.  It was unfortunately destroyed during the Norman invasion, and a church replaced it in 1125. This one was also rebuilt in 1430.  Once again, in 1797, it was destroyed, with only a few items remaining, including the clock and the bell.

The Saint Louis church was built in the 1580s. During the Revolution, it housed many pieces of artwork and books from other parishes for safekeeping. After the Revolution, Napoleon named Saint Louis as the main church for Le Marais since the Saint Paul church had perished.  In the early 1800s, Saint Louis changed its name to include Saint Paul in memory of the church that was destroyed.

Since 2012, it has been undergoing restorations in different sections, resulting in a stunning church today. We were very impressed by the size, with a large, decorated dome and an incredibly stone-arched ceiling. 

The church incorporates both Gothic architecture and Baroque styles and houses three organs! Be sure to go and check out this gorgeous piece of history.

Ile de la Cité & Ile Saint Louis

The fourth arrondissement is a little different from the others in Paris since it extends into the Seine and includes two natural islands as well. It encompasses all of Île Saint-Louis and half of Île de la Cité.

Île de la Cité is often referred to as the Heart of Paris, given that it is literally the centre point from where all streets begin. This area has a lot of history dating back to Roman times since this was where they built their central fortress. Nowadays, it houses important sights such as Notre Dame and the Justice Department, but also has many parks and open squares.

Île Saint Louis is smaller than Île de la Cité and is mainly residential. Great cafés and restaurants, plus a nice waterfront, make this a wonderful spot for walking. It also has some smaller accommodation options that are strategically positioned for getting around to see Paris.

✅ A perfect way to save time and enjoy all the sights in the 4th arrondissement is to take a bike tour. This option gives high praise for safety and excellent guiding.

Hôtel de Sens

The archbishop of Sens, Tristan de Salazar, built this medieval building in 1475. It was quite different in style, combining both medieval and early Renaissance flavours. It looks very similar to a castle from the Loire Valley.

From 1622, it was no longer used as their residence and was rented out to various companies and workshops. In 1911, the city of Paris bought it and converted it in the 1930s to the Forney Library. This spot houses a huge collection of textile and graphic art.

It is really worth a look at the building for its interesting architecture and the lovely garden at the back. Here you can enjoy the low hedges planted with pretty flowers. We had a nice rest here for a little bit since it was peaceful and not many people were there at the time.

Tour Saint Jacques

It never ceases to amaze us that, as you explore a district of Paris, you will come across so many interesting structures and monuments. This is certainly true here, as you will see the Saint Jacques tower. Built in 1523, this tower was originally part of a 12th century church.

During the Revolution, the church was demolished for stone, but it was agreed to leave the tower intact. It was eventually bought by the city in the 1800s, and it was completely redone to become a decorative structure, the central point of the park and square where it sits.

It is an impressive structure, and all the facades and statuary have been restored to their original form. This is also one of the starting points of the Camino de Santiago, and UNESCO designated it as part of the Routes of Santiago de Compostela Heritage Site in 1998. It is definitely worth a look.

Hôtel de Ville

Yet another incredible building is the City Hall of Paris. Dating to the 1300s, it has always been where the central government of the city held its office. However, back at the start, the beautiful courtyard in front wasn’t as nice as it is today, since this was where residents would come to watch executions. Not exactly the nicest part of town!

After the time of the Revolution, the building was expanded and renovated but unfortunately succumbed to a raging fire in 1871, that destroyed the entire interior. It took twenty years to repair it into the Renaissance style structure that you can see today.

There are always plenty of events taking place here, and it is the site of a skating rink in the winter. You can also tour the inside of the building, but it requires a reservation.

BHV

Across from the City Hall is a large department store that originally opened in the late 1800s. It provides everything one may need from clothing to housewares to beauty products. Here is a one-stop shop with every major brand represented, all conveniently located under one roof.

Centre Pompidou

This important cultural centre holds more than 120,000 pieces of modern and contemporary artwork. This impressive building was created in the 1970s and is now closing for a major renovation project to repair the interiors and update the facility to make it more accessible. 

During the renovation, the artwork has been moved to other locations around France. It is slated to reopen in 2030.

FAQs

4th Arrondissement Map

What is the 4th arrondissement called?

This arrondissement is fondly known as the Marais district.

What is the 4th arrondissement in Paris known for?

While there are many wonderful spots to visit in the 4th district of Paris, the most popular is definitely the Notre Dame Cathedral.

4th Arrondissement Hotels

There are loads of hotels to stay at in the 4th arrondissement. We chose a moderately priced property called Hotel Bastille Speria. It had comfortable rooms, the staff were very helpful and there were many restaurants in walking distance. It also has the option for breakfast onsite.

Les Tournelles is very well located with many sights in the area to visit. Rooms are cozy but provide all the necessities.

For a boutique property, try Charles V. Perfect location, elegant style and quality lines and furnishings make this an ideal option for being centrally located in the Marais.

A couple more classic options would be Hotel de JoBo, Caron de Beaumarchais, Hotel Le Grand Mazarin, and Pavilion de la Reine & Spa.

4th Arrondissement Restaurants

We enjoyed so many meals at the wonderful bistros in this area. Here are some of the highlights.

Bofinger is a classic bistro within a gorgeous setting. We enjoyed oysters, French onion soup and our mains of the steak tatare and their specialty of choucroute Bofinger that included three different sausages. Everything was excellently prepared and very tasty.

Le Temps des Cerises had wonderful serving staff, and we enjoyed our meal on the outside patio. The meal of tuna tataki and stewed beef was outstanding.

We tried Il Vesuviano for some Italian style pizza. The Diavola and La Burrata au Pesto options were super tasty. This spot is in a busy area, making for great people watching.

For some more typical French food, try Les Philosophes. The food that we had – French onion soup and filet de boeuf d’Aubrac was excellent!

The Final Word…Things To Do In The 4th Arrondissement of Paris

There is certainly no lack of places to visit and see in the Marais area. It can keep you busy for several days. But aside from the top attractions, this part of the city just has a very nice vibe. The buildings are beautiful, the streets are clean, and it feels welcoming and safe. Be sure to visit this lovely neighbourhood on your next trip to Paris.