Paris 4th district real estate guide

Living on the Ile de la Cité, a dream that can come true in the 4th arrondissement

The 4th arrondissement, the heart of the Marais

Investing in real estate in the Paris 4th arrondissement

A true relic of the past, representing the various eras that have made Paris, the 4th arrondissement is doubtless the most charming and best preserved area of the city. The Marais, the Ile de la Cité and the Arsenal area are not only some of the nicest places to visit but also dream locations to buy a house or apartment in the centre of Paris.

Living on the Ile de la Cité, a dream that can come true in the 4th arrondissement

The Ile de la Cité is defined by its cobbled streets, booksellers, hotels particuliers and of course Notre-Dame Cathedral, without forgetting the unparalleled view onto the banks of the river Seine! The Ile de la Cité has been the stuff of dreams, for young and old, for centuries because of its charm and mystery nestled right in the heart of the french capital, particularly when the sunrises and the lifting fog is pierced here and there by the city’s streetlights. The journey begins as you draw into the Cité metro station: it’s width, length and height combined with its copper decor prepare visitors for the wonders of what’s to come by removing them from the expected little white tiles.

Once you’re back above ground, the cathedral’s gargoyles and the bullseye windows of the private apartments look down on the passersby. The Conciergerie, an old prison from the 14th century, also contributes to the poetic yet unsettling atmosphere of this area.

The Ile de la Cité is a residential area that is private and family-friendly, with little traffic and the roads remain quiet at night. Pretty and calm, the Cité area exudes serenity and well-being in a loud and rowdy city. The Ile Saint Louis is also very calm and will certainly please families and other people looking for calm without necessarily being isolated or far from the centre of Paris.

The 4th arrondissement, the heart of the Marais

In the top 5 tourist destinations in Paris, alongside Notre Dame, the Eiffel Tower and the Champs Elysees, the Marais is a stunning neighbourhood filled with shops, ice cream parlours, restaurants and tea rooms of all varieties. With several synagogues, the Marais is home to a large proportion of the city’s jewish population who, happily for our taste buds, have established numerous culinary institutions. Head over to rue des rosiers to taste the best falafels in Paris!

A neighbourhood where well-being is prioritised before all else, the Marais also has numerous educational and sporting facilities for the young and the old, so that there is something for everyone: try yoga, boxing, massage or lindy-hop at the Carreau du Temple, you’re sure to find your fit in this spiritual setting where listening to one’s own body is the number one priority. For the shopaholics, the streets of the Marais are a true haven, filled with everything from luxury brands (such as Sandro, Claudie Pierlot, Maje and more) to curated thrift stores and dozens of exclusive designer stores. 

In terms of nightlife, the Marais needs no introduction, it is internationally renowned as a hotspot for nights out, especially among the LGBTQ community. The Marais, despite its numerous recreational offerings, remains a calm, family-friendly neighbourhood, where excursions on bikes and skates don’t risk ending in accidents.

Investing in real estate in the Paris 4th arrondissement

Buying a rental apartment in the fourth arrondissement is always a good idea. With regards to the Ile de la Cité, the Marais, the Saint-Merri area, or closer to the 2nd arrondissement, the Reaumur-Sebastopol area, demand for housing in the 4th continues to increase, as it is full of incredibly attractive qualities to both Parisians and visitors. 

Whether it’s an investment in an annual rental property or a seasonal tourist rental, your best bet is to invest in the 4th due to the multitude of reasons detailed in this article. This is also does not take into account the option of student rentals, as the area is within close proximity of various universities, including the Sorbonne which is attended by thousands of students, both young and old.

Buying an apartment near the Hotel de Ville (Paris’ City Hall) or the Pompidou Centre costs around €10,700 per square metre. Buying real estate in the Marais is more expensive, prices rise to around €11,000 per square metre. Finally, the Ile Saint-Louis and the Ile de la Cité remain the most expensive areas, with prices per square metre varying between €12,000 and €13,000.

Read more about the parisian arrondissements.