I have stayed in Paris twice in the last year, in May 2025 and then in February 2026, and took the same apartment for both visits. There is something special in visiting and then revisiting familiar places in other countries. It felt like that to me in the Parisian district of Le Marais. Once an aristocratic quarter, then a Jewish neighbourhood, then an LGBTQ+ hangout, and now it’s a bit of all of those things, but also an increasingly gentrified, but liberal and informal zone in the 3rd and 4th arrondissement where most of the places that bring me back to Paris are within walking distance. It is also a lovely place to just dawdle and relax.
Call me a creature of habit, but I’m unashamed of doing most of the same things here in February this year as I did last May. I enjoyed knowing where the mugs were kept, where was the best place for a coffee and where to go for my morning martial arts practice. There is a small park, a perfect dojo, on the corner of the street and a little café, La Petite Place, on the next corner. Why change if it works?
May 2025
February 2026
Just round the nexty corner from the apartment is a major art gallery, the Picasso Museum with an ejxtensive display of the great artist’s work from all of his many different style’s eras. The variety of events to see around Paris makes you almost forget to lolok at the wonders on your doorstep. It’s well worth the visit.
Afteer the Picasso, what better than a drink or a coffee round the next corner at La Petite Place.
La Petite Place, the little place was my little place most mornings in Le Marais, rain or shine. I liked the coffee, the croissants, the omelettes and the music. I am still listening to an album I first heard in this little place, Jungle by the French duo The Blaze.
I’ll leave you with that moody album by The Blaze that I began listening to at La Petite Place: https://youtu.be/7jWXVPsPECU?si=dI6jlSCHyvuANMCO
Looks and sounds magical, my fantasy Paris. By coincidence, the main character in the book I mentioned on Wednesday, (Lucky Dogs, by Helen Schulman) spends a lot of time in le marais – although not as peacefully as you did,
P.s. you’re a great photographer
Pat
Thanks Pat – much appreciated.