On the rue Francs Bourgeois
It was long haul through until closing the deal but it was worth it to see my client bring his whole family, all the way from Texas, to see his brand new Paris apartment for the first time. Before renovation it looked quite different although was a good layout and had a wonderful with the view across the street, the Hotel Particulier, Hôtel d'Alméras. But like most Parisian apartments (contrary to popular imagination) it was in need of a serious decoration overhaul. It's a two bedroom apartment on the rue Francs Bourgeois in the heart of the Marais and has been bought specifically to be rented through a luxury short stay apartment specialist.
Monte Laster is the talented artist and designer - it's a true palace now.
The Marais is packed with these ancient Hotel Particulier which were once the town houses of wealthy families. Laws passed in 1962 by André Malraux (de Gaulle's Minister of Culture) protected the historical centers of French cities and thankfully the Marais and it's magnificent buildings.
In the olden days, the Marais was a swamp (the word means "swamp" in French) and was later used for growing produce to feed Paris. Rue Francs-Bourgeois, was one of the first streets to be laid as the wealthy moved in and a century later Henri IV constructed Place des Vosges (about 5 minutes away at the end of the street). In later centuries the area became terribly run-down and was almost razed to the ground to widen the rue de Rivoli until a campaign stopped the destruction and Malraux stepped in. The other thank you is to the gay community. Quoting from an interesting report:
"By 1980 a report for the Paris City Council presented the Marais as an up and coming middle-class district. But really, the Marais was rising in popularity with the homosexuals because of commercial opportunities. In the 1980s, the area was redeveloped as many commercial buildings could be bought for bargain prices. Gay people were looking for pubs opened to public gaze, where they were visible. This would make homosexual life more accepted in the city and in everyday life."
I must admit to be facinated by the effect that artists and homosexuals have on property prices!
Another interesting building on rue Francs Bourgeois is the Credit Municipal at no. 55 - or as the French call it “Ma Tante” . This is a special bank operating like a pawnshop – lending money in exchange for art, jewelery or furnishings. When you've paid back the loan you get the belongings back. The nickname came about when bashful barterers said they'd been left money by their family! Inside you can still see the huge wooden mattress sterilizing machine used to clean bed linen pawned by 19th century Parisians.
If you'd like to stop for lunch, there is a superb restaurant at no.53 called Le Dome du Marais which is handy in this inclement weather as there is a glass covered dining area which has a beautiful light at lunch time.
