If Paris fascinates us at every stage of its long, long history, we sometimes want to discover the capital's oldest vestiges. We've summed them up for you in this guide, which is sure to delight explorers eager to take a stroll back in time. So where are the capital's oldest landmarks and features? Follow the guide!
The oldest museum in Paris
Musée Carnavalet, Paris's oldest museum dedicated to the capital's history
The Musée Carnavalet invites you to discover the history of the capital. Discover what awaits you in Paris' oldest museum, which has the advantage of being free... [Read more]
The oldest market in Paris
Marché des Enfants Rouges, the oldest market in Paris!
The Marché des Enfants Rouges, just a stone's throw from Rue de Bretagne, is the oldest market in Paris. To this day, Parisians of all ages gather here to shop and enjoy the stalls, restaurants, counters and gourmet terraces. [Read more]
Paris's oldest restaurants
The oldest restaurants in Paris, historic and legendary tables
Discover the Paris of yesteryear at one of the capital's oldest restaurants, where mythical figures from French history once sat. [Read more]
The oldest house in Paris
Nicolas Flamel's house, the oldest in Paris
How about a trip back in time? Today, we invite you to discover the oldest house in Paris known to date: the House of Nicolas Flamel. [Read more]
The oldest zoo in Paris
La Menagerie du Jardin des Plantes, the oldest zoo in Paris
The Menagerie, or rather the zoo of the Jardin des Plantes, belongs to the Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle. Located next to the famous Jardin des Plantes, it's not only the oldest zoo in Paris, opened in 1794, it's also an area well worth a visit. Every day, hundreds of animals live in 5.5 hectares of greenery. Come and discover them! [Read more]
Paris's oldest café
Le Procope: rediscover Paris' oldest café
Do you know Procope, the oldest Café in Paris? It's undoubtedly one of the capital's finest restaurants, listed as a Monument Historique. We'll take you through its history, its menu and what's new to discover. [Read more]
Paris's oldest patisserie
Stohrer, the oldest pastry shop in Paris still in business
Stohrer, the oldest Parisian pastry shop still in operation, has been offering delicious creations since 1730. Located at 51 rue Montorgueil in the 2nd arrondissement of Paris, this institution is open all year round. [Read more]
Paris's oldest chocolatier
Mère de Famille Faubourg Montmartre, the oldest chocolate factory in Paris
Explore A la Mère de Famille, a historic chocolate factory founded in 1761 in Paris, offering handmade sweets and chocolates. [Read more]
Paris's oldest tearooms
The oldest tearooms and patisseries in Paris
For an original, historical and gourmet stroll, let's discover the oldest tea rooms and pastry shops in Paris. [Read more]
Paris's oldest hotel
Did you know? The Hôtel Chopin is a hidden treasure of Parisian history.
In the heart of Paris's Passage Jouffroy lies the Hôtel Chopin, one of the city's oldest hotels, if not the oldest. Open since 1846, this architectural marvel is accessible all year round for those wishing to step back in time. We'll let you in on a few of the secrets of this place steeped in history. [Read more]
Paris's oldest passageway
Did you know? The Passage du Caire is the oldest passageway in Paris. Discover its history.
The little-known Passage du Caire, located in the popular rue Saint-Denis district, offers a journey back in time. Built in 1798, this historic Paris landmark has retained a certain austerity, but is well worth a visit for its incredible history. We tell you all about it! [Read more]
Paris's oldest palace
Le Meurice
Fondé en 1835, le Meurice est le plus ancien des Palaces parisiens. Situé face au jardin des Tuileries, à deux pas du Louvre, cet hôtel chargé d'histoire a compté d'illustres clients comme Salvador Dali qui pour la petite histoire s’amusait à consteller les murs de sa suite de taches de peinture. Ce palace est aujourd'hui un joli mélance d'ancien et de nouveau. Il marie le charme du 18e avec des touches de modernité. [Read more]
The oldest square in Paris
Place des Vosges
La Place des Vosges autrefois appelée place Royale jusqu'en, 1800, est la plus ancienne place de Paris. Née en 1605 sous le règne d’Henri IV. Les 36 pavillons qui entourent la place furent des hôtels particuliers de la haute bourgeoisie de l’époque et des hauts fonctionnaires de la Monarchie. la place des vosges, bien que construite pour les bourgeois de l'époque, fût l'un des premiers lieux de promenade des Parisiens en quête de calme et de détente. C'est encore aujourd'hui l'un des lieux préférés des Parisiens et touristes. [Read more]
The oldest Comedy Club
Café Oscar, Paris's first comedy club
The first comedy club created in Paris, Café Oscar is now over 30 years old and continues to welcome stand-up professionals, and potentially future professionals. Every week, Café Oscar introduces new comedians. [Read more]
The oldest clock in Paris
Did you know? This is the oldest clock in Paris and its fascinating history.
Do you know the oldest public clock in Paris, still in operation? Mounted on the walls of the Conciergerie in the heart of the Ïle de la Cité, this clock has been telling the time since 1371. Commissioned by Charles V, the clock marks the king's time. This public clock, still in operation today, embodies six centuries of history and impressive mechanics, we tell you. [Read more]
The oldest monument in Paris
Strangely enough, the oldest monument in Paris isn't really Parisian at all. It's the obelisk on Place de la Concorde. Dating from the 12th century B.C., it originally stood in the temple of Luxor in Egypt. It was donated to France by the Viceroy of Egypt in 1830. The oldest Parisian monuments are also to be found close to the Latin Quarter: the Thermes de Cluny and the Arènes de Lutèces, both of which date back to antiquity.
Where to see ancient remains in Paris? Amazing monuments in the capital
Do you really know Paris? We'll take you on a tour of the capital's oldest monuments and their fascinating history. Ready to step back in time? Head for Antiquity! [Read more]
The oldest tree in Paris
This Robinier is located in the Square René Viviani in the 5th arrondissement. Planted in 1601 by the botanist Jean Robin, it is now classified as a Remarkable Tree. While trees of this species don't exceed 10 meters in height, this one is 15 meters high and 3.50 meters in circumference.
Square René-Viviani, an unusual garden featuring the oldest tree in Paris
Square René-Viviani is undoubtedly one of the most unusual gardens in Paris. In this garden near the quays of the Seine, you'll discover a verdant spot dotted with historic relics and overlooking Notre-Dame. It even boasts the oldest tree in Paris! [Read more]
The oldest bridge in Paris and the oldest sidewalk (two for the price of one!)
In Paris, paradoxes are a thing of the past. As luck would have it, the oldest bridge in the capital is the Pont Neuf, built between 1578 and 1607. It was the capital's first stone bridge, the first not to be used for housing, as was the custom at the time, and the oldest sidewalk in Paris. The faces that adorn the bridge today are replicas, the originals being housed in the Carnavalet museum.
Bridges in Paris
Let’s discover Paris bridges! Keep reading to know more! [Read more]
The oldest metro station in Paris
The first metro line in Paris was line 1, inaugurated in 1900 to coincide with the Universal Exhibition. From Porte Maillot to Porte de Vincennes, this central line today comprises 303 stations. The first station to be dug was Louvre-Rivoli in 1898.
The oldest district in Paris
There's every reason to believe that the Latin Quarter was the first district of Paris, before the Quartier de la Cité. In 52 BC, following Julius Caesar's victory over Vercingetorix, the Romans built the city of Lutetia on the left bank of the Seine. Lutetia later expanded into the present-day Cité district. Today, remnants of their buildings can be found in the district, including , the Cluny baths and the Lutetia arena, built in the 1st and 2nd centuries AD.
