Quartier de l'Arsenal

Quartier de l'Arsenal is an administrative quarter in the 4th arrondissement shaped by Quai Henri-IV along the Seine, the Arsenal Basin, and Boulevard Henri-IV. The area is defined by waterfront views and broad streets that mark the transition between the riverside and inner city.

In 1533, the area became the site of the royal arsenal, storing weapons and functioning as a justice chamber under Louis XIV. This link to royal power shaped the location for centuries before its transformation into a modern residential and cultural zone.

The area draws people interested in books and manuscripts, as the Arsenal Library continues to attract visitors with its historic collections. This reflects how the neighborhood transformed from a place of state power into one centered on preserving knowledge.

The quarter is easily accessible on foot with a clear layout of broad streets that aid orientation. Visitors should note that the area is most active during daytime hours, and proximity to the Seine allows for waterfront walks.

An abandoned metro station named Arsenal lies beneath the quarter, revealing the history of Paris' transportation network. This closed station is rarely accessible to the public and stands as a snapshot of how the city's transport system evolved.