Top hat and retro suit, tour guide Philippe Brinas Caudie takes us to the Marais to discover the great and small history of the district which acquired its letters of nobility during the Renaissance, notably thanks to Henri IV, who had the Place Royale built (today Place des Vosges).
As we walk along, we realize how miraculous this sector of Paris is.
He narrowly avoided the blows of Baron Haussmann and the delusional projects of Le Corbusier who wanted nothing more and nothing less to raze the Marais.
On the contrary, here we are rediscovering the vestiges of the Middle Ages, the private mansions built “between courtyard and garden” under the Ancien Régime.
The visit is embellished with anecdotes which have punctuated the life of this neighborhood which has been by turns fashionable, neglected, impoverished and finally rehabilitated.
The guide shares his knowledge with simplicity, erudition, humor and good humor.
We ask for more.
Price of the visit 12€ to book on: http://guide-visites-paris.fr/
Text: Katia Barillot
Photos: ©Anaïs Costet
