Place du Marché-Sainte-Catherine, Pedestrian square in the 4th arrondissement of Paris, France
The place du Marché-Sainte-Catherine is a small pedestrian square in the Quartier Saint-Gervais, in the 4th arrondissement of Paris, roughly square in shape. Buildings from the late 18th century frame it on all sides, and the ground is paved with setts.
The square was built on the site of a medieval priory, the Sainte-Catherine-du-Val-des-Écoliers, which was torn down in the late 18th century. A market and new streets replaced it, and two large wooden market halls opened in 1789, though they were later demolished in 1929.
The white mulberry trees on the square shade the outdoor terraces of the surrounding restaurants, where people linger over coffee or a meal at most hours of the day. Sitting here, you easily get a sense of how locals in the Marais spend an ordinary afternoon.
The square is a short walk from the Saint-Paul metro station, making it easy to reach from many parts of Paris. The surrounding streets, such as Rue d'Ormesson and Rue Caron, are worth exploring on foot as part of the same visit.
The white mulberry trees on the square were planted when the market was laid out in the late 18th century and are still standing today. Several film productions have used the square as a location, including 'The Bourne Identity', though many visitors do not recognize it from the screen.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
