Neighbourhood

Since we've been here, we've been focusing on getting to know our neighbourhood first. We are in the 3rd Arrondissement. An arrondissement is an area or district and the lower the number, the closer you are to the city centre.

The 3rd and 4th Arrondissements make up the Marais District. This used to be the aristocratic area of Paris. The French Nobles built their urban mansions here. They were called Hôtels and today many of them have been converted into museums or art galleries. Just around the corner from us is the Picasso Museum in the Hôtel Salé.

I haven't even seen this building because it's behind a tall gated wall. In fact all the buildings are tall and the streets are very narrow. It's very easy to get turned around and lose your bearings because it's impossible to get any sort of visual reference. It's a cool neighbourhood and it's starting to feel like it's ours.

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