parisbynumbers.com

The 4th Arrondissement lies at the very heart of Paris, both spiritually and geographically, and few other districts offer so much of interest in so compact an area.

It’s here that the city began, on the Ile de la Cite - the largest of two islands that float side by side on this unusually wide section of the River Seine. Here stands Notre Dame, Paris’ epic gothic cathedral, surrounded by water on both sides along with many of the capital’s civil buildings - the police headquarters, the oldest working hospital and the courts of law.

Nearby, and connected by a small footbridge is the smaller of the two islands, the Ile St Louis - a quiet and exclusive residential area that boasts some of Paris’ most desirable property.

The islands may be amongst the most picturesque of Paris locations, but the Fourth Arrondissement also encloses the lower section of the ‘Marais’ - an ancient warren of narrow lanes and charmingly uneven apartment blocks that accommodates a wide array of bars, restaurants and guest houses. Here old meets new: on the east side Place des Voges is a grand garden square and a former home of Victor Hugo; on the west stands the simple and colourful exterior of the Centre Pompidou, the most famous of Paris’ several modern art museums.

The Marais district now serves as home to both Paris’ orthodox Jewish contingent and it’s significant gay community - and its history, liveliness and the sheer variety of its inhabitants makes it one of the city’s most appealing locations.