What to see in the Fourth Arrondissement of Paris?

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

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.

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

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

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

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.

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

• the Hôtel de Ville de Paris (City-Hall of Paris)
• the Préfecture de Police (Police Headquarters)

Main places of interest in the 4th arrondissement

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:

• the Gothic cathedral of Notre-Dame (Île de la Cité) which is being restored after a devastating fire on 15 April 2019
• the archaeologic crypt of Notre-Dame (Île de la Cité) >> Get your eTicket and skip the line! <<
• the Square Jean XXIII and the Square of Île de France (Île de la Cité)
• the Flower Market named after Queen Elizabeth II (Île de la Cité)
• the Banks of River Seine around Île Saint Louis
• the Place du Châtelet and Tour Saint-Jacques (Right Bank)
• the City-Hall of Paris or Hôtel de Ville (Right Bank)
• the Saint-Gervais-Saint-Protais church (Right Bank)
• the pedestrian little street of Rue des Barres (Right Bank)
• the half-timbered houses on Rue François Miron (Right Bank)
• the Centre National d’Art et de Culture Georges Pompidou and the Stravinski fountains (Right Bank) >> Get your eTicket! <<
• the Hôtel de Sens (Right Bank)
• the remaining vestiges of the Philippe Auguste wall (Right Bank)
• the Saint-Paul Saint-Louis Church (Right Bank)
• the Place des Vosges (Right Bank)
• the Hôtel de Sully (Right Bank)
• the Place de la Bastille (Right Bank)
• the Hôtels Particuliers on Île Saint-Louis.
• the Billettes Cloister, Paris’ last surviving medieval cloister.

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