Le Marais is my favourite district in Paris. Its narrow streets, little houses with a medieval touch and especially its unique and special shops and bars make it one of the best areas to spend a morning or an afternoon. Its streets become pedestrian zones on Sundays and that brings plenty of visitors there. The gardens of the Lamoignon house are like an oasis in the middle of all those streets and shops.

This garden was named after Mark Ashton, an LGBT activist, in 2018. Mark Ashton was a political activist who supported both the LGBT community and the mining community back in the 1980s. Ashton is most famous for starting his own charity in 1985 to raise money for struggling mining families. You can read more about him here.

Normally open between 9:00 and 20:30 (during the summer season), it is a simple square area with grass, some benches around and trees that give the place some cool shade. Excellent for a little break when you are tired of walking, want to have a sandwich or enjoy a soda bought in another place (there’s no bar in this garden). On Sundays, there are groups of jazz or swing musicians that play their music just out in front, which makes it even more pleasant.

When there’s no music, it is also an excellent spot for meditation.