1960 Pictorial Map of the Marais and Environs, Paris

A charming c. 1960 map of the Marais neighborhood of Paris, straddling the 3rd and 4th arrondissement, by an unknown artist. It highlights many of the famous sites in the area, particularly Les Halles, Paris's main agricultural exchange and food market until its controversial demolition in the early 1970s.

A Closer Look

Oriented somewhat towards the northeast, this pictorial map covers the Marais and neighboring locations, including Les Halles and the Île de la Cité. One of the most storied neighborhoods in Paris, the Marais spans French history from the Knights Templar to the French Revolution and Paris' post-World War II revival. It contains museums dedicated to the history of Paris (Musée Carnavalet) and France (Musée des Archives Nationales). Churches, museums, and other historic buildings are labeled throughout. Crossed forks and knives near Les Halles indicate several famed restaurants. Illustrations of local landmarks and the culinary smorgasbord of les Halles appear in the margins. The verso includes text from two non-consecutive pages of an article relating to Les Halles.

Publication History and Census

This pictorial map was drawn by an unknown artist and, despite the text on the verso, we have been unable to identify in which publication it appeared. It is undated, but from the appearance of the illustrations and the depiction of Les Halles here (prior to its demolition in the early 1970s) it dates from around 1960.