A Grand Parisian Manse

Much like all of Paris, walking around the grounds of Hôtel de Sully is like stepping back into the past. Located in the historic Marais district, it was built by Jean Androuet du Cerceau in 1625 and purchased ten years later by Sully, the former minister of Henri IV. There are two courtyards, the first paved with cobblestones, the second a quiet grassy area and garden featuring statues representing the four elements and the seasons.
The building is currently occupied by the Caisse Nationale des Monuments Historiques et des Sites. It is also home to an extensive bookshop with items focusing on Paris.

The Unveiling of Tour Saint Jacques

The beautiful Saint Jacques Tower has finally been unveiled. Built from 1508 to 1522, the gothic tower is part of the remains of the church Saint-Jacques-la-Boucherie that was demolished in 1797.

The tower has been under scaffolding for years as surveyors investigated the condition of the stone. Unfortunately, cracks were found, but remarkably, the stone dates to the tower's original construction, not from a 19^th-century restoration.

St. Gervais et St. Protais

On the right bank of the Seine, tucked behind the Hôtel de Ville sits the stunning church of St. Gervais et St. Protais. This medieval structure houses the secrets of a great dynasty of French musicians: the organ played by Louis and François Couperin.

The church has been home to the organ since 1653 and was played by the Couperin family for nearly two hundred years.