Paris - The Marais and the Bastille

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This tour concentrates on a relatively small area of Paris where there is a lot to see and do.

Start at Hotel de Ville (metro lines 1 & 11), Paris' City Hall. The intricately decorated facade is exquisite but guided tours are rather complicated to organise, so simply linger a while and enjoy the splendour of the outside.

From Hotel de Ville, head 200m north up the Rue du Renard, to the multi-coloured, Pompidou Centre, also called Beaubourg. There may be an exhibition you're interested in, but even if there isn't, take the escalators up to the roof for the view and maybe a coffee. Outside, groups of musicians and artists will entertain you at all times of day and night, and the neighbouring streets are great for souvenir hunting.

On the northern side of Beaubourg, go east along Rue Rambuteau. This is a typical Parisian market street where you can buy food for a picnic, or stop at one of the cafes or wine bars - but be careful; the food shops close between 1 and 3.30pm. This road will lead you to the Rue de Francs Bourgeois and the heart of the Marais district, famous for its large, mansion-like "Hotels particuliers" and museums, including the Musee Picasso and the Carnavalet (fascinating history of Paris). If you don't fancy a museum, just take your time looking at the ancient buildings and interesting side streets. The Rue des Francs Bourgeois will lead you to the Place des Vosges, a perfectly preserved example of seventeenth-century Parisian architecture, where Victor Hugo once lived. Walk around this elegant square, which is now home to luxury hotels, restaurants, art galleries and boutiques, to get a feel of regal life long ago.

From royalty to revolution, the tour now heads for the Bastille. Rue de Birague on the south side of the Place will take you into Rue Saint Antoine. Turn left here and walk a few hundred yards to the Place de la Bastille, site of the famous storming and commemorated by a column representing freedom. From Rue Saint Antoine, cross over towards your right to the large concrete and glass Opera Bastille, and have a quick look at the boats moored in the Port de l'Arsenal. You can visit the foyer of the opera house but you have to book a place on a guided tour to see the rest, unless you have tickets for a performance. The Bastille area, especially Rue de la Roquette and Rue de Lappe, is an excellent place for dinner as there is a vast choice of bars and restaurants. So get yourself a glass of wine, sit back and soak up the atmosphere of one of the youngest and liveliest parts of Paris.







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The Bastille (11th Arrond.)
Paris
The Bastille (11th Arrond.)
The Marais (3rd Arrond.)
Paris
The Marais (3rd Arrond.)
Bastille Opera


Ballet and opera performances
 120 Place de la Bastille
Paris 75012
+33 1 4343 9696
http://www.opera-de-paris.fr
Bastille Opera
Place des Vosges


Pistols at dawn
 Quai du Marche Neuf
(Quai de L'horloge)
Paris 75004
Place des Vosges
Beaubourg Pompidou Center


Avant-garde cultural centre
 Place Georges Pompidou
Paris 75004
+33 (0)1 4478 1233
http://www.centrepompidou.fr/
Beaubourg Pompidou Center
Place de la Bastille


A symbol of the French Revolution
 Place de la Bastille
Paris 75004
+33 1 4742 9056 (Ministry of Tourism)
Place de la Bastille
Hôtel de Ville


Paris' Town Hall
 4 Place de l'Hôtel-de-Ville
Paris 75004
+33 (0)1 4952 5354 (L'Information De touristes)
Hôtel de Ville
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