The name "Marais" for this area of Paris is derived from the word for "swamp." This area used to be flooded by the Seine and was apparently used for market gardens. It rained a lot while I was here, but there is no longer flooding.
I stayed in Bastille, a neighborhood just east of Le Marais. I highly recommend this hotel. After sandwich-happy Madrid, I craved a salad.
Despite the threat of rain, I spent the next few hours exploring the old Marais.
The July Column commemorates those who died during the July 1830 revolution. Remains of victims from both the 1830 and 1848 revolutions lie beneath the tower.
The Opera de Paris-Bastille was designed to be accessible to all the people.
Place de la Bastille is the former site of a state prison that once housed the Marquis de Sade (who is said to have ordered his own wine in) and Voltaire (who said the food was delicious).
It's tempting to take a picture of every street, but I won't post them all. This one however, Rue de Birague, is the way to Place des Vosges, which was the first open-air square in Paris. There are numerous restaurants around the square. In the corner of the square is a passage marked "7" through which you enter the grounds of the Hotel de Sully, now the Caisse national des Monuments Historiques et des Sites, the national institute dedicated to preserving historical sites and monuments.
Surprisingly, this store sells clothes for people.
A happening corner.
I love this style of topiary.
Square Georges Cain has numerous ruins and monuments.
The Archives Nationales.
Bikes! These are free for use around Paris.
After enjoying the art and architecture of the Marais, I met up with Benoit for the evening! The rain required that we stay inside to enjoy a second beer before heading to dinner. We headed to Chez Paul. Benoit was kind enough to translate the handwritten menu. First course, andouille salami and foie gras. Second course, scallops and steak au poivre. We finished with the homemade profiterole. A fantastic evening with Benoit!
