Location: Le Marais
Top Things to do in Le Marais
Things to do in Paris, Ile-de-France: The Best Historic Sites
Lingering over pain au chocolat in a sidewalk café, relaxing after a day of strolling along the Seine and marveling at icons like the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe… the perfect Paris experience combines leisure and liveliness with enough time to savor both an exquisite meal and exhibits at the Louvre. Awaken your spirit at Notre Dame, bargain hunt at the Marché aux Puces de Montreuil or for goodies at the Marché Biologique Raspail, then cap it all off with a risqué show at the Moulin Rouge.
Restaurants in Paris
1. Hotel de Ville
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,506 reviews
This beautiful, 19th century building is now the seat of the French government, and features a number of displays on French history.
Reviewed By Acineto - Auckland Central, New Zealand
I came out of the Hotel De Ville stop to get to Notre Dame Cathedral. It looked like the train station is connected to the building but it was all closed off when I was there so I ended up outside instead. I was on the back end of the building and was fascinated with the architecture. As I moved towards the front of the building towards the bridge to Note Dame, I noticed a statue on horseback on the side of the building. As I neared the bridge I noticed that there was a festival of some sort in the front area of the hotel. It looked like a winter festivalwith free rides for kids. It was New Year so it could also have been related to that. Apart from rides there were a few stalls for food and shops of items. There were also a few photo areas. The building looks quite amazing from afar and does look nice closer up when you are able to see some of the intricate details. I was able to get close to the building but not inside since it looked like it was closed. The colourful lighting around the area made it quite festive and interesting. It was an unexpected but really enjoyable find.
2. National Archives
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 150 reviews
Reviewed By Ivisitedtheplace - Israel, null
This was a really surprisingly good understated and modest museum. As everything in Paris/ amazing structure and architecture- both inside and out. There were many historical old maps and many historical documents and many descriptions of stuff like that. But the most amazing for me was stumbling into a model true-to-scale replica of the notorious Bastille prison. And then in the display glass next to that, I was thrilled and l stopped in my tracks to witness the original keys to the place. What a fantastic piece of history to see!! In addition to photos of the model and the keys, I have about six other photos
3. Hotel de Sens
4. Rue du Temple
5. Maison de Victor Hugo
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 652 reviews
This place is temporarily closed. The former home of the 19th-century author Victor Hugo is now a museum with exhibits on his life.
Reviewed By Taxidevil - Glasgow, United Kingdom
My husband has read all of the novels by Victor Hugo ( in translation I need to add) so it was a nice experience for him to see the house where he wrote many of his books and plays. Victor Hugo lived in this house at Place des Vosges before his exile in Guernsey and on his return to Paris he lived elsewhere. The rooms of various houses have been recreated here with the original furnishings including the tall desk where he wrote standing up. Entrance is free but we paid €5 for one audio guide for my husband as he was particularly interested but , for me, there was enough information in each room. Unlike most museums we visited information was displayed in French and English.
