Paris Buildings Recount the History of the City


From Medieval to Art Deco Buildings

This tour takes us through three of the oldest Paris neighborhoods, the 4th, the 3rd and the 2nd arrondissements or districts. Buildings of noblemen stand next to such of ordinary people, amidst religious or commercial buildings and places of leisure. Of course, they are not placed in chronological order and have undergone changes and renovations. But they still show important characteristics of the architecture of their time. 

We’ll start out in the Marais area with its 17th c mansions, buildings from the French Renaissance era, others dating back to the Middle Ages but also to the early 20th century, a synagogue in the Art Nouveau style.

In the 2nd arrondissement we will learn about the key elements of the Haussmann style buildings which cover a large part of Paris. The tour ends on the Grands Boulevards with its Art Deco buildings, arches of triumph and theaters.


2.5-hour walking tour covering 4 km (2.5 mi) approx.