On the streets of Paris - Rue Vieille-du-Temple in Le Marais.

On Rue Vieille-du-Temple, the Hôtel Hérouet marks one of the most interesting corners in the Marais. Its late Gothic turret is a reminder that, behind the fashionable shops and cafés, this part of Paris still preserves small fragments of the city that existed before the grand hôtels particuliers of the 17th century.

Rue Vieille-du-Temple is one of the oldest streets in the Marais, following a route that dates back to the Middle Ages. Its name comes from the nearby enclosure of the Knights Templar, whose vast fortified complex once occupied much of this part of Paris. Today, the street stretches from Rue de Rivoli to Rue de Bretagne, linking centuries of Parisian history with one of the city's liveliest neighbourhoods.

Despite its medieval origins, the street has constantly reinvented itself. It has been home to noble mansions, craftsmen, Jewish merchants, artists and today, independent boutiques, galleries and cafés. Walking its length is like travelling through the changing history of the Marais, where almost every doorway has a story to tell.

“The streets of Paris are best explored without hurry — they reveal themselves only to the unhurried.”

---

Part of the “Streets of Paris” Series

Each Saturday, we wander through the streets of Paris — tracing light, texture, and the quiet poetry of daily life.

Browse the full series

© About Paris — Streets of Paris · Back to Home