Rue des Francs Bourgeois

Time to dive into the lively heart of the Marais. This is where trendy boutiques, small art galleries, atmospheric cafés and restaurants, and countless bars keep the streets buzzing well into the night. Our first stop is Rue des Francs Bourgeois.

It is an upscale, fashionable shopping street lined with well-known brands, and also a street of grand aristocratic mansions built in the 16th and 17th centuries, such as Hôtel de Soubise and Hôtel de Lamoignon. Hôtel de Soubise now houses the French National Archives, where Joan of Arc's letters and Napoleon I's will are kept. Hôtel de Lamoignon is home to the city's historical library. You'll spot plenty of familiar storefronts along the way, including Bensimon, maker of what is often called France's "national sneaker."

Keep walking and you'll reach the Carnavalet Museum, the history museum of Paris, which traces the city's story from prehistoric times to the present. It occupies two 16th-century mansions (hôtels particuliers): Hôtel Carnavalet and Hôtel Le Peletier de Saint-Fargeau. At the time this audio guide was recorded, the museum was closed for renovation, with reopening planned for the end of 2019.

Where the Carnavalet ends, turn left, pass Rue Pavée, and continue to Rue des Rosiers.