The Marais literally means 'marsh' and that is exactly what this Parisian neighborhood was 1,000 years ago," writes Abby Gordon, an American expat and freelance writer based in Paris.
Before the area was drained into a fertile marshland, it was a swamp, and unfortunately the swamp-like odors remained centuries after the transformation. Narrow cobblestoned streets, exposed stone and beamed-buildings and slanted walls and rooflines are prevalent, a testament to the Marais's medieval history.
Today, the Marais is one of Paris's most trendy and desirable neighborhoods. It is the hub of the gay community in Paris. The Marais is also home to so many restaurants, cafes, and boutiques, many of which stay open on Sundays, an unusual phenomenon in France. Despite this modernization, the Marais still retains so much of the medieval character that was bulldozed in the 19th and 20th centuries for bigger and better structures in other parts of the City of Light—but not the medieval smell. Thankfully, the most prevalent smell these days emanates from the numerous seductive boulangeries (bakeries) and pâtisseries (pastry shops).
Read Abby's full report on the Marais in the December issue of the Overseas Retirement Letter: [ Ссылка ]
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