My Summer in the City of Light: 4th Arrondissement: Notre Dame and the Pompidou

The 4th arrondissement is very popular for shopping and sightseeing. The street Rue de Rivoli is known for shopping, and there are several popular tourist attractions in this area.

BHV Marais Bazar de L'Hotel de Ville: Commercial Business

The Bazar de L'Hotel de Ville has been open since 1886, when shop-owner Xavier Rule saved Empress Eugénie, the wife of Napoleon III, from her runaway horses in front of the space he rented for the store. She rewarded him with money, which he used to purchase the entire space and opened a department store. Now, the store is owned by the Groupe Galaries Lafayette.

Hotel de Ville: Architectural Object

Hotel de Ville is Paris' city hall, housing the mayor and the local administration. The building is impressive. The administration of Paris has been housed in this location since 1357.

We walked over the Seine on the way to the Notre Dame. I could never spend enough time wandering along the Seine.

Notre Dame: Tourist Attraction

Our next stop was one of Paris' most famous landmarks: the Notre Dame. The Notre Dame is the official church for the archdiocese of Paris. Notre Dame is located on Ile de la Cité, an one of two islands on the Seine. This island is the center of Paris. Ile de la Cité is a lovely place for a picnic, and also holds a large, fragrant flower market every day from 8:00 to 7:30.

Here is a statue of Charlemagne located in front of the Notre Dame.

Pompidou: Interesting Site

This is the view from the top of the modern art museum in Paris, the Pompidou. From this angle, you can see the Eiffel Tower. The Pompidou is named after George Pompidou, President of Paris from 1962 to 1968, the longest term of any french President.