Fourth Arrondissement of Paris - Squares of Paris Quiz © French Moments
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Last Updated: 13 July 2022

The Fourth arrondissement is home to one of the most famous monuments in Paris: the cathedral of Notre-Dame. Mostly located on the Right bank of River Seine, it includes the two islands of Île de la Cité and Île Saint-Louis.

 

A few words about the 4th arrondissement

4th arrondissement of Paris © ThePromenader - licence [CC BY-SA 3.0] from Wikimedia Commons
4th arrondissement of Paris © ThePromenader – licence [CC BY-SA 3.0] from Wikimedia Commons

The Fourth arrondissement of Paris (le quatrième arrondissement) is situated on the right bank of River Seine and also includes half the island of Île de la Cité and the whole of Île Saint-Louis.

It is the third smallest arrondissement of Paris, covering an area of 1.601 km2 with a population of 27,887 (2011). The 4th arrt. partly covers the historic district of Le Marais which extends into the 3rd arrondissement.

Marais District Paris © French Moments
In the Marais district, Paris © French Moments

The 4th arrt includes some famous Parisian monuments such as the Gothic cathedral of Notre-Dame, the neo-Renaissance edifice of City Hall of Paris, and the modern futuristic structure of the Pompidou Centre.

 

Where to stay in the 4th arrondissement?

Hotels in Paris vary from stunning luxurious places like the Ritz and the Meurice to much simpler hotels in charming older parts of the city. However, due to its central location, you will find the level of prices of all types of accommodation quite high in the 4th arrondissement. Depending on your budget, might want to find cheaper accommodation further away from the hyper centre of Paris!

Here is a map showing the nearest accommodation:



Booking.com

 

The Marais historic district

Place des Vosges April 2016 05 © French Moments
Place des Vosges, Paris © French Moments

In the Marais district near the church of Saint-Paul Saint-Louis is the Rue des Rosiers (literally street of the rosebushes) which lies at the centre of the Jewish quarter often known locally as “the Pletzl” (Yiddish for “little place”). The neighbourhood has become famous for fashion.

Some of the last examples of half-timbered houses in Paris can be discovered in Rue François Miron and Rue Grenier near the City-Hall of the 4th arrt.

The Marais district is home to the royal square of Place des Vosges dating from the 17th century.

 

The ship-shaped island of Île de la Cité

Seine Paris © French Moments
Île de la Cité from Pont des Arts © French Moments

The ship-shaped island is the historical heart of Paris which was known as Lutetia (Lutèce) during the Roman era. The island has been inhabited since the 1st century BC by the Parisii tribe of the Gauls. It is linked to the Right and Left Banks by eight bridges, and a ninth leads to the smaller Île Saint-Louis.

Find out more about Île de la Cité.

 

The aristocratic island of Île Saint-Louis

Façade Rue J
Façades on rue J. du Bellay, Île Saint-Louis © French Moments

The calm little Île Saint-Louis has nothing in common with its larger neighbour Île de la Cité. Named after King Louis IX (Saint-Louis), it includes no great monuments except a few interesting mansions such as Hôtel Lambert. Nevertheless, the island is appreciated for its beautiful quays and peaceful residential district in the centre of Paris.

Find out more about Île Saint-Louis.

 

Public institutions and organisations in the 4th arrt.

Hôtel de Ville © French Moments - Paris 7
Paris City-Hall © French Moments

Many public institutions have their seat in the 4th arrt. such as:

 

Main places of interest in the 4th arrondissement

Notre-Dame cathedral, Paris © French Moments
Notre-Dame cathedral before the great 2019 fire, Paris © French Moments

The 4th arrondissement includes one of Paris’ most famous monuments: Notre-Dame de Paris. There are many other places of interest to be discovered on the Right bank, the Île de la Cité and Île Saint-Louis, without forgetting the ‘quais de la Seine’ which have been listed as a World Heritage site by Unesco:

The main places of interest in the 4th arrondissement are:

 

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What to see in the Fourth arrondissement of Paris? © French Moments

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About the author

Pierre is a French/Australian who is passionate about France and its culture. He grew up in France and Germany and has also lived in Australia and England. He has a background teaching French, Economics and Current Affairs, and holds a Master of Translating and Interpreting English-French with the degree of Master of International Relations, and a degree of Economics and Management. Pierre is the author of Discovery Courses and books about France.

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