4th Arrondissement

The Basics

The 4th arrondissement is home to many of Paris’ most important sites, and it’s frequently visited by tour groups and independent travelers alike. Highlights include the Renaissance-era Hȏtel de Ville, the Pompidou Centre, and the Place des Vosges, the oldest planned square in the city. Paris’ gay district is also here, with many LGBTQ clubs and bars in the southern parts of the arrondissement. A large Jewish community centers around the Rue des Rosiers.

Things to Know Before You Go

• The 4th arrondissement is a must-visit for anyone who wants to see medieval Parisian architecture, shop at quaint boutiques, or learn about Paris’ LGBTQ and Jewish communities.

• Wear comfortable footwear and be prepared to explore this pedestrian-friendly area by foot.

• The Marais is inconvenient for wheelchair users and travelers with strollers due to narrow sidewalks and lots of cobblestones.

How to Get There

The 4th arrondissement sits on the Right Bank of Paris, east of the 1st arrondissement, south of the 3rd arrondissement, and west of the Bastille. It encompasses half of the Île de la Cité, all of the Île Saint-Louis, and the southern part of the Marais neighborhood. Metro stops include Saint-Paul, Hȏtel de Ville, Cité, and Sully–Morland.

When to Get There

The 4th arrondissement is a year-round destination, with great shopping during the day and lots of nightlife, with the bulk of the city’s LGBTQ bars and clubs situated here. If you visit during the summer, you may get to see parts of the riverbanks transformed into artificial beaches in a local initiative known as Paris Plages. In the winter, the Hȏtel de Ville hosts a Christmas market and ice-skating rink.

Rue des Rosiers

At the heart of the small Jewish Quarter in the Marais, the Rue des Rosiers is home to a number of kosher shops, bakeries, and restaurants. It's best-known outside the Jewish community for L'As du Fallafel, perhaps the city's most famous falafel joint. Note that most shops in this area are closed on Saturdays for Shabbat, but unlike most Parisian places of business, they are open on Sundays.

Ways to explore

The 4th Arrondissement is one of the city’s compact central neighborhoods, which is easy to navigate on foot. While it has no shortage of sights and cultural attractions, with the Notre-Dame Cathedral, Centre Pompidou, and the Renaissance city hall Hôtel de Ville, it’s worth heading out with a guide to discover some local things to do.

Those in the know can show you around the Jewish Quarter, centered around Rue des Rosiers and the synagogue on Rue Pavée, and point out its kosher eateries and bakeries. Locally guided tours can also cover the best spots for sunny afternoon drinks along the quays of the Seine, and guide you to the legendary BHV Marais department store, where you can shop for just about everything.

Accessibility

Le Marais may be challenging to visitors with reduced mobility, given the area’s historic narrow streets and summer crowds. Opt for a wheelchair-friendly tour of Le Marais for stress-free exploring.

Age limits

None. This is a popular neighborhood for families to stay, but do your research to avoid the noisier nightlife areas of the 4th Arrondissement.

What to pack

Comfy shoes for walking, payment means to shop

What to wear

Whatever you want, but for Parisian chic, you can’t beat white sneakers, crisp jeans, and a trench coat.

Not allowed

Anything goes in the fourth, although it’s sensible to leave the car behind.

Amenities

Pharmacies, public transportation, public restrooms (sanisettes), shops, supermarkets

Address

This neighborhood is roughly between Châtelet and Bastille, on the north side of the Seine, aka the Right Bank. It’s walkable, but there are plenty of bus routes and metro stations to take you beyond.

Driving

The 4th Arrondissement is in Paris’ Limited Traffic Zone (LTZ), so most visitors can’t transit through it. While there are some parking lots, they tend to be expensive, so avoid driving if you can.

Public transportation

Head to the 4th Arrondissement metro stations of Arts et Métiers, Filles du Calvaire, Rambuteau, République, and Saint-Sébastien-Froissart. Several buses also pass through, including the #70 and #74, which pass by the Hôtel de Ville, and the #21 and #72, which run along rue de Rivoli.

Best times to visit

For Notre-Dame visits, arrive at breakfast time to beat the crowds and have a chance to be the first of the day to climb the towers. Otherwise, visit Le Marais or the riverbank for drinks and dinner as the sun goes down, after most day-trippers have left.

Best days to visit

If you want to visit Centre Pompidou, skip Tuesday when it is closed. Otherwise, weekdays are less busy than the weekends.

Best months to visit

Central Paris is busy with visitors between June and August. If you can be flexible, time your visit to Paris between September and May instead.

Special events

There are events and festivals throughout the year in Paris. In le quatrième itself, there’s the Fête de la Musique toward the end of June, with concerts, live music, and buzz all around the Marais district.