Go to the Latin Quarter – The Cultural Coronary heart of Paris
The Latin Quarter is considered one of Paris’ oldest neighborhoods, situated proper within the coronary heart of town, within the fifth Arrondissement. The Latin Quarter embodies the essence of Parisian attraction and tradition, and it has all the time been town’s mental hub.
The Latin Quarter boasts a few of Paris’s greatest sights, from the Panthéon to the Jardin de Plantes. Nevertheless it additionally has under-the-tourist radar spots, which make it excellent for exploring on foot.
Comply with this self-guided Latin Quarter strolling tour, map included, to find all the things this unimaginable neighborhood has to supply.
Map of Latin Quarter Paris Strolling Tour
Click on right here to view this map of Latin Quarter Paris with the recommended itinerary on Google.
Paris’ Latin Quarter Strolling Tour
Begin this Paris’ Latin Quarter strolling tour from Place Saint-Michel, which will be reached by metro line 4 / RER B and by getting off on the Saint-Michel Notre Dame station.
1. Place Saint-Michel
The attractive Place Saint-Michel is the energetic coronary heart of the Latin Quarter, a beloved assembly place for a lot of Parisians. The sq. as we all know it at present was a part of Baron Haussmann’s restructuring of Paris (1855) to type an acceptable bridgehead for the brand new, wider Pont Saint-Michel, which was rebuilt concurrently the sq..
On the heart of the sq. is an imposing fountain with a bronze statue of Saint-Michel, spectacularly illuminated within the night. From the sq. begins a maze of slender streets filled with conventional boulangeries, scrumptious brasseries, and charming bookstores.
Standing on Place Saint-Michel, with the Seine River behind you, look to your left and take Rue de la Huchette.
2. Rue de la Huchette
Alongside Rue de la Huchette, there are three spots value a brief cease: Rue du Chat-qui-Pêche (perpendicular to this avenue), Le Caveau de la Huchette (#5), and Le Theatre de la Huchette (#23).
Le Caveau de la Huchette has an fascinating historical past that goes again to medieval occasions, and it’s best identified for being the primary membership in Paris the place jazz was performed. Nobody on the Caveau de la Huchette will ever neglect Sidney Bechet’s colossal jam periods! Nonetheless at present, a jazz band performs each night.
The Rue du Chat-qui-Pêche takes its present title from an eponymous signal, which has since disappeared from town’s panorama. Giant 1,80 m, that is the narrowest avenue in Paris.
The Théâtre de la Huchette is a small theatre (85 seats) identified for enjoying Eugène Ionesco’s absurdist double-bill of The Lesson and The Bald Soprano in everlasting repertory since 1957. As we speak, a 3rd play is introduced, and this adjustments now and again.
In 5 minutes, you’ll arrive on the subsequent cease of this Latin Quarter free strolling tour.
3. Shakespeare and Firm
Shakespeare and Firm is likely one of the greatest vacationer traps in Paris. Opened in 1951 by Parisian George Whitman, the current Shakespeare and Firm just isn’t the unique location of this iconic bookstore. Essentially the most well-known predecessor dates again to the Nineteen Twenties and was famend for internet hosting and publishing the works of literary masters resembling James Joyce.
Furnished in excellent English type, Shakespeare and Firm is the proper spot to browse for first editions in addition to attend workshops and talks with nice writers.
The upcoming cease of the strolling tour, Sq. René Viviani, is true subsequent to Shakespeare and Firm, and it’s lower than 1 minute on foot.
4. Sq. René Viviani
This pretty little sq. affords breathtaking views of Notre Dame Cathedral and is considered one of Paris’ most original gardens.
It homes the oldest tree within the metropolis, the Robinia Pseudoacacia, a locust tree over 400 years outdated! This astonishing tree was named after Jean Robina, the French botanist who planted it. There may be additionally a (hidden) medieval properly.
Sq. René Viviani is the proper spot to loosen up within the shade of the Robinia whereas having fun with some French pastries and admiring the vistas. If you’re visiting Paris in December, this sq. hosts one of many greatest Christmas Markets in Paris!
Stroll to sq. René Viviani with the Seine River behind your again to get to the Church of Saint-Julien-le-Pauvre on the finish of the sq..
5. Church of Saint-Julien-le-Pauvre
One of many oldest church buildings in Paris, the development of the Church of Saint Julien-le-Pauvre dates again to the twelfth century on the location of a a lot older chapel.
Inbuilt Romanesque type with components of major Gothic, the Church is an fascinating constructing within the non secular panorama of Paris, which is usually made up of Gothic church buildings.
The location is granted to the Japanese Catholic Melkite neighborhood. Inside, don’t miss the iconostasis, inbuilt 1900 by the Byzantine Ceremony, and the paving stones from the unique Roman highway connecting Lutetia (Paris) to Orléans.
To achieve the subsequent cease, cross Rue du Petit Pont to get to Rue Saint-Julien le Pauvre. Stroll this avenue for 1 minute, and you will see your self in entrance of the Church of Saint-Severin.
TIP: Saint-Julien-le-Pauvre is understood for its classical music live shows (Vivaldi, Bach, Mozart, and so forth.). You should buy tickets to the live shows right here.
6. Church of Saint-Séverin
The Church of Saint-Séverin is an excellent instance of Gothic structure. Listed as a historic monument of France since 1862, the development of the Church of Saint-Séverin started within the thirteenth century and was accomplished solely two centuries later.
Step inside and prepare to be mesmerized by the Gothic structure, the stained-glass home windows depicting the martyrdom of St. John the Baptist, and the notably beautiful Tree of Jesse.
Among the many Church’s most fascinating components are the double ambulatory, the gorgeous twisted column, and a properly from the XVth century within the Chapel of the Virgin. It was stated that its water may treatment fever and sure pores and skin illnesses!
Throughout your go to, don’t hesitate to take a tour of the backyard (whether it is open), which was used from the fifteenth century as a cemetery for Parisian notables.
From the church, proceed southwesterly on Rue des Prêtres Saint-Séverin towards Boulevard Saint-Germain. At this level, flip left on Rue de Cluny after which flip proper on Pl. Paul Painlevé to get to the Cluny Museum’s entrance.
7. Cluny Museum
The Cluny Museum is hosted in a gothic-style personal mansion that belonged to the Abbot of Cluny, therefore the title. This museum shows medieval artwork and objects and is the proper place to study extra in regards to the Center Ages’ tradition. The most effective piece is the La Dame a la Licorne (The Girl and the Unicorn), a Fifteenth-century collection of medieval tapestries.
Within the Museum’s basement, you’ll be able to see some stays of Roman Paris, specifically, the thermal baths. There are additionally the unique heads of the Kings of Judah from the façade of Notre Dame Cathedral (they have been beheaded through the French Revolution).
To achieve the historic constructing of the Sorbonne College, stroll for two minutes on Place Paul Painlevé in direction of Rue du Sommerard.
8. Sorbonne College (Seat of the Rectorate)
The Latin Quarter owes its title to its educational historical past, so this subsequent cease of the strolling tour is a real must-do.
The Sorbonne College is likely one of the oldest universities in Europe and some of the prestigious.
Opened in 1257 as a part of the medieval Université de Paris, amongst Sorbonne College’s well-known college students are the Italian poet Dante Alighieri and scientist Marie Curie.
Take your time admiring the gorgeous structure of the college’s historic constructing whereas absorbing its mental ambiance. Of its reconstruction below Richelieu, solely the chapel, the work of Lemercier, stays. In 1822, it grew to become the seat of the Rectorate and the Colleges of Letters and Sciences.
Proceed northwest on Rue des Écoles towards Rue de la Sorbonne. Flip barely left and take Rue Racine. When you get to Place Paul Claudel, you will see the Jardin du Luxembourg in your left at 150 meters.
9. Jardin du Luxembourg
On the outskirts of the Latin Quarter, connecting with the Saint-Germain-des-Prés neighborhood, is the beautiful Jardin du Luxembourg.
One of many hottest gardens in Paris for locals and vacationers alike, the Jardin du Luxembourg was established in 1612 by Marie de Médicis as an extension to the Luxembourg Palace.
This public park has all of it: lovely statues and tall bushes. It’s certainly the best spot for a picnic break in spring and summer season.
The Jardin du Luxembourg additionally has fairly and romantic corners, just like the Fontaine Médicis.
Up subsequent for the Latin Quarter strolling tour is the Panthéon. Proceed in an easterly path towards Boulevard Saint-Michel. Stroll straight for round 7 minutes, and you’ll arrive.
10. Panthéon
Constructed between 1758 and 1790 on the spot of the Roman Discussion board (essential sq.), the Panthéon is likely one of the most well-known buildings in Paris. In neoclassical type, the Panthéon was a church constructed by the desire of King Louis XV.
It then grew to become a mausoleum to pay tribute to nice French residents, together with Victor Hugo, Voltaire, and Marie Curie.
The 2 distinctive options of the Panthéon are its off-white dome that may be accessed (from April to October) to marvel at breathtaking views of Paris and the enormous pendulum that Foucault constructed to show the rotation of the Earth.
Going through the Panthéon, take Place du Panthéon in your left. After a few minutes, you’re going to get to Church Saint-Etienne-du-Mont.
11. Church Saint-Etienne-du-Mont
A surprising constructing in Gothic flamboyant type, the Church Saint-Etienne-du-Mont is a kind of spots in Paris that not many vacationers find out about.
Devoted to town’s patron saint, Saint-Geneviève, the church has the one remaining rood display screen in Paris, that includes carved stone and a double spiral staircase.
Inside, the Church shows beautiful stained glass home windows and the glass tomb with the stays of the relics of Saint Geneviève, a lot of which have been burned through the French Revolution.
Proceed in an easterly path on Rue Clovis towards Rue Descartes. Take the primary flip to the proper to search out your self on Rue Descartes. Go straight for round 5 minutes, and you can be at Rue Mouffetard.
12. Rue Mouffetard
After strolling and sightseeing so much, a meals cease is necessary, and Rue Mouffetard is ideal for that. Strolling up and down Rue Mouffetard, you will see meals stalls, chocolate retailers, little eating places, and eateries providing scrumptious takeaways.
Proceed north on Rue Mouffetard towards Rue du Pot de Fer, and in 250 meters, you’ll arrive at Place de la Contrescarpe.
13. Place de la Contrescarpe
Place de la Contrescarpe is likely one of the liveliest corners within the Latin Quarter. This charming little sq. is filled with bustling cafés frequented by native college students and vacationers, that are nice locations for a French apéritif and people-watching.
Place de la Contrescarpe was additionally considered one of Earnest Hemingway‘s favourite hangout locations in Paris, a lot in order that he talked about it in his novels A Moveable Feast and The Solar Additionally Rises. Certainly, Hemingway lived not removed from the sq., on 74 Rue du Cardinal Lemoine.
Stroll in an easterly path on Rue Lacépède towards Rue Gracieuse. Take the primary avenue to the left (Rue Monge), and you will note the Arènes de Lutèce in your proper in about 150 meters.
14. Arènes de Lutèce
The Latin Quarter has many lesser-known sights, together with the Arènes de Lutèce. Constructed between the first and 2nd centuries CE, this area of Roman Paris, which may seat as much as 15,000 spectators, was used for gladiatorial fights and theatrical performances.
The world has fascinating structure, mixing components of traditional Greek and options from the Roman provinces in Africa. Rediscovered within the nineteenth century after centuries of neglect, the Arènes de Lutèce is now a public house that often hosts theatrical performances and live shows.
To get to the final cease of this Paris’ Latin Quarter strolling tour, take Rue des Arènes, and in 150 meters, flip proper on Rue Linné. Then, flip instantly left to take Rue Man de la Brosse. Once you attain the tip of this avenue, flip proper on Rue Jussieu, and you will note the Jardin des Plantes in entrance of you.
15. Jardin des Plantes
The final cease of this strolling tour is the Jardin des Plantes. That is Paris’ royal botanical backyard, constructed within the seventeenth century following the orders of King Louis XIII to domesticate medicinal crops.
As we speak, it’s Paris’ botanical backyard and considered one of France’s greatest and richest gardens!
The Jardin des Plantes additionally homes the Nationwide Museum of Pure Historical past and the Ménagerie, the second-oldest public zoo on this planet.
Final however not least, the Jardin des Plantes hosts the unbelievable Pageant of Lights in November and December, among the finest Christmas occasions in Paris.
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