Behind the wall of Philippe- Auguste, up to the Tournelles, were swamps (marais) which gave their name to the district . The Temple, which doesnt exist any more, was the fortified buildings of the Templars, knights of Jerusalem, religious order founded in 1119 and dissoluted in 1312. Magnificent palaces were built here between XVI and XVIIIth century. Near the grande rue du Temple is still located a traditional Jewish district (rue des Rosiers). Now, the Marais is also famous for its homosexual community.

Part of Braun and Hogenberg map of Paris from Civitates Orbis Terrarum I -7 published in 1572.

Click to see the whole map

Part of Sebastian Munster map of Paris from Cosmographiae Universalis 88-89 published in 1550. See this map

Part of the map made by Turschet and Hoyau, circa 1552. This map is also known as the Plan de Bâle.

This map fragment is used with permission of The Paris Pages

Part of the Merian map of 1615.

This map fragment is used with permission of The Paris Pages

Part of Septieme plan of Paris, 1705
from Gallica - La Bibliotheque Nationale de France (French)