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Offered languages
- English
- French
This tour immerses you in the literary and aristocratic past of the historic Marais district. Follow in the footsteps of the district’s illustrious
characters such as Madame de Sévigné and Romantics like Victor
Hugo and Théophile Gautier ...
For hundreds of years, the Marais was the preferred residence of the nobility. In the 17th century, the nobility built magnificent mansions around the Place Royale (now the Place des Vosges), some of which still exist.
This was also the birthplace of Madame de Sévigné, a leading figure of her time whose literary work opens a window on aristocratic and courtly life in the 17th century. She was a close friend of literary pioneer Madame de La Fayette. Victor Hugo later lived just a few steps away, as did Colette.
We’ll start with a coffee or tea at the Place des Vosges and then set off on foot to explore the surrounding area and its fascinating history. Readings by authors who lived in the district
will round off this extraordinary experience.
What's Included
Meeting and pickup
We will meet at Café Hugo for a coffee and a brief introduction before beginning our walk.
Once we have finished in front of the Church of Saint-Paul Saint-Louis, you can easily catch a taxi or the metro (Saint-Paul).
Itinerary
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1Place des Vosges
Our tour begins on Place des Vosges, the onetime Place Royale. Most famously, Victor Hugo lived on this square, but so did other writers such as Théophile Gautier and Madame de Sévigné. You will learn about both over the course of our tour.
30 minutes • Admission ticket free -
2Cour et jardin de l'Hotel de Sully
The Hôtel de Sully is one of the many architectural jewels of the Marais. Built in the first half of the 17th century, it nonetheless displays many features of the Renaissance. We will visit the charming gardens and admire its architectural details from the outside.
10 minutes • Admission ticket free -
3Place Ste. Catherine
One of the few squares with Louis XVI-style architecture, the site reveals the evolution and development of the neighbourhood .
5 minutes • Admission ticket free -
4Jardin de l'Hotel Lamoignon
Another remarquable 17th-century townhouse, the Hôtel Lamoignon features in the letters of Madame de Sévigné as she was friends with the owners. We will pause here for a reading from those letters.
10 minutes • Admission ticket free -
5Musee Carnavalet - Histoire de Paris
Just across the street from the Hôtel Lamoignon is the onetime home of Madame de Sévigné. We highly recommend you visit the museum inside before or after our tour. We will read from her letters as she describes acquiring her new home.
5 minutes • Admission ticket free -
6Hotel de Sens
The Hôtel de Sens is one of the only two examples we have in Paris of private Gothic architecture—the others are churches. This is a rare example of a medieval townhouse and briefly the home of Marguerite de Valois. We'll learn an interesting anecdote about her stay here...
10 minutes • Admission ticket free -
7Eglise Saint-Paul Saint-Louis
We will finish our tour at the church where Victor Hugo's daughter Léopoldine was married in 1843—and which appears as the location for the marriage of Cosette and Marius in Les Misérables.
10 minutes • Admission ticket free
Additional info
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- This walking tour lasts approximately 2 1/2 hours. An estimated time is given for stops along the way, but the 2 1/2 hours also includes walking time between sites as well as other sites not listed.
Tags
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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Cancellation Policy
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
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