Privy and Secret Spots in Paris

Le Quartier Bercy Square Hôtel invites you to discover this Three non-touristy spots in the City of Lights!

THE HOTEL OF SENS

It is a city palace in the Marais, in the IVe arrondissement of Paris, France.

It was originally owned by the archbishops of Sens. The building is in between late Gothic and early Renaissance style, and now houses the Forney art library. This mansion is one of three medieval private residences remaining in Paris. It was built between 1475 and 1507

Built between 1475 and 1507 the Hotel de Sens is one of three medieval private residences remaining in Paris. The façade is an imposing beast, a fortress reminiscent of battles, sieges and armored knights. Henri IV’s ex-wife, Queen Margot, resided here in 1605 to which she lent her slightly demented flair. The building now houses the Forney Art Library and students populate the interior.

It’s free and open to the public but make sure you catch it when it’s open, 1:30 – 8pm, closed Sunday and Monday or you’ll be reduced to fits that you can’t get inside this amazing edifice.

THE MUSEE CARNAVALET OR THE HISTORICAL LEGACY OF PARIS

Behind this somewhat mysterious name is hidden one of the capital’s most genuinely Parisian museums. The oldest of the municipal museums tells the story of Paris from a bygone era (a prehistoric dugout canoe dating from 4600 BC) to the present day, in all its immense variety.

Although it is essentially a history museum, the musée Carnavalet is nevertheless an art gallery exhibiting mostly original works in keeping with the spirit of the genius of Paris.

In a remarkable architectural setting (twotown houses in the Marais district) the story of Paris unfolds in one hundred or so rooms and colourful gardens, which are home to some thousand thriving plant species.

As visitors wander through recreations of rooms in styles ranging from the 17th to the 20th century, they can follow developments in Parisian interior design, immerse themselves in revolutionary history from the French Revolution to the Paris Commune, and also enter into the private lives of famous Parisians, imagining for example, the Marquise de Sévigné at her Chinese laquerwork desk penning her famous missives, or even Marcel Proust in his bedroom, dividing his time between his brass bed and his little table covered in pens, ink and notebooks…

The presence of works of art, the bond created with famous people from varied intellectual, political and artistic backgrounds in the capital and also the emotional impact of the historical scenes are what make this history museum so original and contribute to the unique atmosphere which it conveys of the City of Light down the centuries.

LA PAGODE DE PARIS

La Pagode is a historic movie house that dates from the Belle Epoch period and is decorated in the traditional Japanese style. Originally constructed by the manager of the Bon Marche department store for his wife, it was converted into a ballroom in the 20s before becoming a movie cinema in 1931. Probably my favorite theater in Paris, it’s a perfect distraction to cool a set of flâneur enflamed thighs for a couple hours. The theater shows first-run movies and is submersed in the old style. Don’t forget to enjoy a cup of tea in the Japanese garden before the show. + Info

57 Bis Rue Babylone, 75007