# The history of Le Marais > From a drained marsh to the home of the aristocracy, then its rebirth: a short history of Le Marais, the district of Hôtel de la Herse d'Or. Source: https://www.hotel-herse-dor.com/en/blog/history-of-le-marais Published: 2026-10-17 Updated: 2026-11-12 [Skip to content](#main) [**Herse d'Or** 3-star hotel · Paris Marais](https://www.hotel-herse-dor.com/en) [FR](https://www.hotel-herse-dor.com/blog/histoire-du-marais) [Home](https://www.hotel-herse-dor.com/en) / The history of Le Marais The Herse d’Or guide · 5 min read # The history of Le Marais To walk through Le Marais is to read the history of Paris in stone. Here are the key stages, in a few minutes. ## A marsh, as its name says *Marais* means marsh. Before it was built over, the area was a low-lying, marshy land on the right bank of the Seine. In the Middle Ages, religious orders and military orders such as the Templars drained and cultivated it, and built enclosures that gave the district its first structure. ## The wall of Philippe Auguste At the end of the 12th century, Philippe Auguste had a wall built around Paris. A stretch of it can still be seen near rue des Jardins-Saint-Paul, a short walk from the hotel. ## The aristocratic age In the 17th century, with the creation of Place Royale (now [Place des Vosges](https://www.hotel-herse-dor.com/en/blog/place-des-vosges-guide)), the nobility made the Marais its favourite district and built the hôtels particuliers that are still its pride ([see our walk](https://www.hotel-herse-dor.com/en/blog/mansions-and-courtyards-of-le-marais)). ## Decline and rescue After the court left for Versailles and the Revolution, many mansions were divided, turned into workshops and fell into disrepair. In the 1960s, the district was designated a protected area, which launched a major restoration and gave Le Marais the look we know today. ## A living district Today the Marais combines museums, independent shops, galleries, cafés and communities that have shaped its identity for generations. On rue Saint-Antoine, our house has welcomed travellers since at least 1867: [read its story](https://www.hotel-herse-dor.com/en/history). **For further reading.** To go from history to walking, follow our [one-day route in Le Marais](https://www.hotel-herse-dor.com/en/blog/one-day-in-the-marais). ## Frequently asked questions **Since when has La Herse d'Or welcomed travellers?** A house has welcomed travellers on rue Saint-Antoine since at least 1867. [Book direct](https://sky-eu1.clock-software.com/spa/pms-wbe/#/hotel/12223) Book direct on our website for the best price. ## Also read - [From Bastille to the water: Arsenal and Canal Saint-Martin](https://www.hotel-herse-dor.com/en/blog/from-bastille-to-the-arsenal-and-canal-saint-martin) - [One day in Le Marais](https://www.hotel-herse-dor.com/en/blog/one-day-in-the-marais) - [Bastille, a square full of history](https://www.hotel-herse-dor.com/en/blog/bastille-and-the-promenade-plantee) - [All blog articles](https://www.hotel-herse-dor.com/en/blog) Hôtel de la Herse d'Or 3-star hotel · Paris Marais 20 rue Saint-Antoine, 75004 Paris [+33 1 48 87 84 09](tel:+33148878409)[info@hotel-herse-dor.com](mailto:info@hotel-herse-dor.com) © 2026 Hôtel de la Herse d'Or · All rights reserved [Legal notice](https://www.hotel-herse-dor.com/en/legal-notice)[Privacy](https://www.hotel-herse-dor.com/en/privacy)[Terms](https://www.hotel-herse-dor.com/en/terms) [Book](https://sky-eu1.clock-software.com/spa/pms-wbe/#/hotel/12223)