Borsalino at the Place des Vosges, Paris

The Marais: the bustling quartier in the heart of historic Paris, where my feet somehow magically lead me when wandering around the city. In a city steeped in history, the Marais district stands out for its fashionable pre-Revolution townhouses, tiny alleys lined with oh-so-pretty boutiques and restaurants, and lively nightlife. Here, the Place des Vosges, the oldest public square of its kind in Paris, is a lovely spot comprised of 36 symmetrical houses with pink brick and slate roofs, surrounding a large lawn and fountain. Inaugurated as place Royale in 1612, Henry IV built the square to celebrate the wedding between his son, Louis XIII, and Ann of Austria. The area-- originally a "marsh"-- has now been transformed into the most fashionable area of Paris.

Wander over here on a Sunday and catch a glimpse of a fantastic group of musicians, called Borsalino. Playing upbeat, Django-esque tunes with a smile, Borsalino attracts quite a crowd.

P.S. A quick search on Flickr shows that these talented musicians have been wowing audiences at the Place des Vosges for quite some time now.