The 4th arrondissement of Paris (also known as "arrondissement de l'Hôtel-de-Ville") is one of the 20 arrondissements (administrative districts) of the capital city of France.
Situated on the Right Bank of the River Seine, it is bordered to the west by the 1st arrondissement; to the north by the 3rd, to the east by the 11th and 12th, and to the south by the Seine and the 5th.
The 4th arrondissement contains the Renaissance-era Paris City Hall. It also contains the Renaissance square of Place des Vosges, the overtly modern Pompidou Centre and the lively southern part of the medieval district of Le Marais, which today is known for being the gay district of Paris (while the more quiet northern part of Le Marais is contained inside the 3rd arrondissement). The eastern parts of the Île de la Cité (including Notre-Dame de Paris) as well as the Île Saint-Louis are also included within the 4th arrondissement.
The 4th arrondissement is known for its little streets, cafés, and shops but is often regarded by Parisians as expensive and congested. It is desirable for those insisting on old buildings and multi-cultural exposure.
Geography
With a land area of 1.601Â km2 (0.618 sq.miles, or 396 acres), the 4th arrondissement is the third smallest arrondissement in the city.
Demographics
The peak of population of the 4th arrondissement actually occurred before 1861, though the arrondissement has existed in its current shape only since the re-organization of Paris in 1860. In 1999, the population was 30,675, while the arrondissement hosted 41,424 jobs.
Historical population
¹The peak of population actually occurred before 1861, but the
arrondissement was created in 1860, so we do not have figures before 1861.
Immigration
History
The Île de la Cité has been inhabited since the 1st century BC, when it was occupied by the Parisii tribe of the Gauls. The Right Bank was first settled in the early Middle Ages (exactly: In the 5th century). Since the end of the 19th century, le Marais has been populated by a significant Jewish population, the Rue des Rosiers being at the heart of its community, with a handful of kosher restaurants. Since the 1990s, gay culture has made an impact on the arrondissement, opening a number of bars and cafés in the area by the town hall.
Map
Cityscape
Places of interest in the arrondissement
- Bazar de l'Hôtel de Ville department store
- Berthillon
- Bibliothèque de l'Arsenal
- Centre Georges Pompidou
- Hôtel-Dieu hospital
- Hôtel de Sens
- Hôtel de Sully, on the site of a former orangery
- Hôtel de Ville
- Le Marais
- Rue des Rosiers
- Lycée Charlemagne
- Maison européenne de la photographie
- Marché aux fleurs, Place Louis Lépine
- Musée Boleslas Biegas, Musée Adam Mickiewicz, and Salon Frédéric Chopin
- Musée de la Magie
- Notre-Dame de Paris
- Pavillon de l'Arsenal
- Prefecture of Police
- Quai des Célestins (Paris)
- Saint-Jacques Tower
- St-Gervais-et-St-Protais Church
- Saint-Louis-en-l'ÃŽle Church
- Salle des Traditions de la Garde Républicaine
- Former Temple, fortress and later prison
- Temple du Marais
Main streets and squares
- Place de la Bastille (shared with the 11th and 12th arrondissements), including the July Column (Colonne de juillet)
- Place de l'Hôtel de Ville, formerly Place de Grève
- Place des Vosges (shared with the 3rd arrondissement)
- Place du Chatelet (shared with the 1st arrondissement)
- Place Saint-Gervais, outside the doors of the St-Gervais-et-St-Protais Church
- Rue de Rivoli (shared with the 1st arrondissement)
- Square Barye
External links
- The official guide, partner of the Paris Tourist office
- 4th arrondissement travel guide from Wikivoyage
- Site of the Mayor of the 4th arrondissement (in French)
- L'Indépendant du 4e Posts in English by an inhabitants of the 4th arrondissement since 2008 : dailylife, history, heritage,...
- News on Marais in Paris
