The various neighbourhoods of the 4th arrondissement are a treasure trove of historical and architectural treasures, with a nice balance between the private mansions of the Marais district and the contemporary buildings of Beaubourg and the Pompidou Centre, not forgetting, of course, Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral, which stands on the Ile de la Cité, also in the 4tharrondissement. The arrondissement also spans most of the Marais district, one of the most sought-after (and expensive) areas of Paris when it comes to the property market. In fact, owning an apartment there will set you back at least €15,000 to €16,000 per square metre, and a lot more still for the most sought-after addresses, such as Place des Vosges. This extraordinary square, initially called Place Royale, was created in the 17th century at the behest of King Henry IV where, until the 12th century, there was nothing but marshland (which is why the district soon came to be known as the Marais, or “marsh”). Entire books have been written about its 36 four-storey private mansions and their sloping blue slate roofs. Their remarkably well-preserved façades have been protected since 1964, when the Malraux law was introduced. Maison de Victor Hugo, considered one of the most popular museums in Paris, stands at 6 Place des Vosges  (Hôtel de Rohan Guéménée) - where the writer lived from 1832 to 1848. In 1902, French novelist and playwright Paul Meurice, a close friend of Hugo’s, suggested that the City of Paris create a museum in his honour, and said museum was inaugurated on 30 June 1903, with Paul Meurice as its main donor and investor. The museum spans two floors, housing temporary exhibitions on the first floor and Victor Hugo’s apartment on the second. In 1927, members of Victor Hugo’s family donated Hauteville House, the home he had bought and converted in Guernsey, to the City of Paris. The place has come to represent both Hugo’s time in exile and the writing of his greatest works and is represented in the Paris museum by some striking interior design recreating the poetic and philosophical worlds in which the playwright lived. Also worth checking out are the renowned audio-guided tours for adults and storytelling tours for children, offering an insight into the private life of one of the greatest authors of the 19th century.

Buying a property in the 4th arrondissement: a matter of aesthetics 

An arrondissement with such a rich history will inevitably give rise to many historical anecdotes, such as the one about the origin of Rue des Francs-Bourgeois, which runs from Place des Vosges to the junction of Rue Rameau and Rue des Archives, on which the odd numbers belong to the 4th arrondissement and the even numbers to the 3rd. The street itself takes its name from an almshouse built in the 14th century to house poor “untaxed” citizens, the francs-bourgeois. Similarly, the names of the former streets that now make up Rue des Archives echoed the history of the Marais district. Rue des Billettes, for example, was a reminder of the importance of pilgrimages to the church of Notre-Dame-des-Billettes; Rue de l’Homme-Armé (“Street of the Armed Man”) was a reference to the famous sign of a tavern; Rue du Grand-Chantier (“Street of the Great Work Site”) referred to the major works undertaken by the Knights Templar in 1290 to subdivide the area; and Rue des Enfants-Rouges (“Street of the Red Children”) referred to the hospital of the Enfants Dieux, created by François I to take in orphans (who were given red clothes to wear).
From a property perspective, this arrondissement is particularly popular with an international clientele often looking for a luxury pied-à-terre at the heart of one of the world’s most beautiful cities. Buying an apartment (not to mention a private mansion, which so rarely come on the market here), regardless of size, often represents the fulfilment of a long-held dream, or a certain fondness for the Paris of yesteryear and its authentic charm. There are, however, the ever-increasing traffic restrictions and disruption (the result of pedestrianisation), a large number of tourists and the absence of lifts in these pre-Haussmann buildings to contend with. Away from Place des Vosges, the most expensive streets in the 4th arrondissement include Quai d’Orléans, Rue Jean-du-Bellay and Quai de Béthune, on Île Saint-Louis, with prices ranging from €18,000 to €19,000 per square metre.
 

The 4th arrondissement is a blend of historic architecture and modern luxury. From Le Marais to Île Saint-Louis, it’s perfect for those looking to invest in heritage apartments in Paris. Nearby areas such as the 1st arrondissement luxury real estate market, the 2nd arrondissement, and 8th arrondissement luxury homes also offer unique property opportunities. Broaden your search with 9th arrondissement property listings, or view elegant townhouses in the 16th and 17th arrondissements on our Paris Rive Droite real estate platform.