All Posts, Europe, France, Paris · Complete Walking Guide to the Latin Quarter, Paris From its lively atmosphere nestled among narrow cobbled alleyways to its Roman ruins and centuries-old history, the Latin Quarter is a neighborhood that must be explored when visiting the city of Paris. Keep reading for the Complete Walking Guide to the Latin Quarter neighborhood of Paris! LATIN QUARTER HISTORY Located in the heart of the city, the Latin Quarter has been inhabited for over 2,000 years and is known as the birthplace of Paris. During the Roman era, the Romans occupied the ancient town of Lutetia, which is known today as the Latin Quarter – meaning this neighborhood is full of history to discover! The Latin Quarter gets its name not from the early Roman settlers, but rather from its academic history. Home to the world’s 2nd oldest university, Sorbonne University, students in the middle ages spoke only in Latin. You’d hear monks and students alike walking through the streets conversing exclusively in Latin – hence the name! Today, the Latin Quarter is bustling with the locals’ French language and tourists’ English, but its history remains intact. This is one of my favorite neighborhoods to explore the cobblestone streets and discover the history that lies beneath. From the Roman ruins to one of Europe’s oldest universities, the Latin Quarter is not to be missed! THIS WALKING GUIDE The neighborhood of the Latin Quarter is on every Paris guide, but what exactly does that mean? Where should you go? What are the best ‘things to do’? This walking guide is meant to be an answer to all those questions. You’ll discover the historic Roman ruins, the final resting place of Marie Curie, a rooftop view of Paris, and more! You can use the map below to navigate your way through the winding cobblestone streets of Paris’ oldest neighborhood. Plan on walking for just over 1 hour, but allow at least 2-3 hours to complete this tour – and up to a half-day if you decide to explore all of the museums and landmarks on this list. Also, this tour covers a lot of ground, so be sure to wear comfortable walking shoes! WALKING TIME: Just over 1 hour DISTANCE COVERED: 3 miles / 5 km How to use this Google Map: Click on each icon to get more information about each landmark. Save this Google Map to use on your trip by clicking the star next to the title of the map. To view the saved map on your smartphone or PC, open Google Maps, click the menu button and go to “Your Places — Maps” Shakespeare & Company For one of the most eccentric bookstores you’ll ever visit, start your walking tour at Shakespeare & Company. Opened in 1951, it was originally called “Le Mistral,” but was renamed to “Shakespeare and Company” on the 400th anniversary of William Shakespeare’s birth. Shakespeare & Company’s motto is: “Be Not Inhospitable to Strangers Lest They Be Angels in Disguise,” and they live up to this quote. Not only do they sell books, but they also house aspiring writers and artists in exchange for their helping out around the bookstore. More than 30,000 writers over the years have slept in the beds found tucked between these bookshelves! This is not your average Barnes & Nobel bookstore. Be sure to go upstairs to check out the reading nooks, piano, typewriter, and even a cat! Yes, a real-life cat. The perfect bookstore in my opinion. TIP: They have plenty of books here in English, so this is a great place to grab a souvenir or gift for a friend back home. I recommend buying something like The Hunchback of Notre Dame, or just your favorite classic book. The staff will even stamp the front cover of your purchase with the Shakespeare & Company stamp (plus they have the cutest canvas totes if you need a bag to carry your new purchase!). Odette Paris Follow the cobbled street just behind Shakespeare & Company and you’ll spot Odette, one of the sweetest (and cutest) patisseries in Paris. Located in a preserved medieval house, the specialty here is “les choux á la créme” or cream puffs – using the plural form because you really can’t eat just one! Paris may be known for its macarons, but these delicious, light puff pastries give them a run for their money. Costing just under €2 per pastry, choose between 9 different flavors for a sweet treat on your walking tour. Square René Viviani Located one the same quaint cobble-stone street as Odette, Square René Viviani is the perfect place to sit and enjoy the puff pastries you just bought. Offering picturesque views of the Cathedral of Notre Dame, this charming park is also home to the oldest tree in Paris – the Robinia pseudoacacia. Named after the French botanist that planted the tree, Jean Robin, this locust tree has been standing in the heart of Paris for over 400 years. Be sure to also check out the Church of Saint-Julien-le-Pauvre located just behind the park. Built at the start of the 12th century, this church is one of the oldest places of worship in Paris. Its original design was inspired by Notre Dame but ended up being much smaller than planned. Nonetheless, this unassuming church is still known for its choir and its regular concerts. Cluny Museum Located at the intersection of what was once the main streets in Roman times, the Cluny museum is one of the only remaining structures that offer a peek into what Paris was like 2,000 years ago. The Cluny museum is devoted to culture and daily life from the Middle Ages. and is housed in what was once the Roman baths of the city of Lutetia. Located in the basement of the museum, a visit to these remaining baths are included in your museum admission. I recommend stopping into this museum just to check out this centuries-old basement! The Cluny Museum is also famous for its 15th-century tapestry named “La Dame a la Licorne”, or “The lady and the unicorn” in English. This masterpiece is often considered one of the greatest works of art of the Middle Ages in Europe. If you like historical fiction, you can read The Lady and the Unicorn by Tracey Chevalier before visiting. It’s quite cheesy, but an easy read to get a little backstory on these famed tapestries. PRICE: 9€ (-18 years old free of charge) HOURS: 9:15am-5:45pm – closed Tue, 1 Jan, 1 May, 25 Dec Luxembourg Gardens While not technically located in the Latin Quarter, these formal gardens, open to only royalty before the French Revolution, are the perfect retreat from the hustle and bustle of the city. Stroll around the gardens, sit in the super comfy chairs scattered all around, and admire the beautiful scenery, right in the heart of Paris. During the summer months, you spot kids playing with miniature sailboats in the garden’s central fountain. Sorbonne University The Latin Quarter owes its name to its academic history, so it’s only fitting that one of Europe’s oldest colleges is still in the heart of this neighborhood today. Sorbonne University. Opened in 1257 as part of the medieval Université de Paris, the Italian poet Dante is amongst some of its most famous students. The university is only open to the public during European Heritage days in September. Otherwise, admire the university’s architecture and atmosphere of intellectual conversation from outside. Panthéon Rome isn’t the only city with a Pantheon! Perched on a hilltop in the Latin Quarter lies Paris’ very own Pantheon. Originally built as a church, the Pantheon was soon converted into the final resting place for the great writers, scientists, and generals of France. Being buried in the Pantheon is one of the greatest honors of a French citizen. In 1855, Victor Hugo was the first citizen to be buried in the crypt. Today, over 70 distinguished individuals are buried among the greats, including Marie Curie, Emile Zola, Alexandre Dumas, and even Voltaire. Be sure to not only go down to the crypt but also explore the rest of this architectural masterpiece. In the center of the nave, you’ll find the infamous Fouquet Pendulum. This impressive pendulum was built in the Middle Ages to prove that the earth is round. Also, be sure to climb the 206 steps leading to the rooftop viewing platform for amazing views over the city. PRICE: 9€ (-26 years old free of charge) HOURS: Apr-Sep: 10am-6.30pm; rest of year: 10am-6pm Saint-Étienne-du-Mont Often overlooked by the famous Pantheon, Saint-Étienne-du-Mont also has its fair share of history. The relics of Saint Genevieve, the patron saint of Paris, are enshrined in this historic church. Saint Genevieve had numerous prophetic visions, and when Paris was under attack from the Huns in 451 AD, she persuaded the people to pray, assuring them that they had the protection of heaven. Her prophecy was correct and Paris defeated the Huns, owing to their victory to Saint Genevieve herself. The relics of Saint Genevieve are said to still perform miracles, so many pilgrims still come to Saint-Étienne-du-Mont to this day. Free to visit, be sure not to miss the intricately designed stone lace rod screen (pictured right above). The last of its kind in Paris, it dates back to the 16th-century! You may also notice that the steps leading up to the side of the church look familiar. These are made famous by Woody Allen’s movie Midnight in Paris. Be sure to sit on these steps and reenact this famous movie scene! Arènes de Lutèce To uncover more of the Latin Quarter’s Roman history, stop by Arènes de Lutèce. Built in the 1st century AD, this Roman theater was used for theatrical performances and gladiatorial combats and could seat up to 15,000 spectators! It’s crazy to think that all this took place right here in the heart of what is now Paris. Today, this arena is relatively little-known among tourists or even locals. You can see from the above photo that there’s hardly anyone there! But, this makes the arena the perfect place to escape the crowds and discover Paris’ ‘off-the-beaten-path’ landmarks, especially if you’re interested in history or archaeology. Rue Mouffetard One thing is certain when discovering Paris: there is no shortage of beautiful streets, and Rue Mouffetard is no exception. As one of Paris’ oldest and liveliest streets, you’ll find locals and tourists alike flocking to this street for its beauty, charm, and shopping. Famous for its quaint and typically French atmosphere, wander down this bustling street and you’ll spot boulangeries, cheese shops, butcher shops, cafes, and even an open market. The market is open on Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday mornings – I recommend stopping by during these times to experience the authentic Parisian atmosphere of locals going about their daily lives. Grande Mosquée de Paris Looking for something off-the-beaten-path from the typical tourist route? I’ll bet that you didn’t expect to visit a mosque while in Paris, but stop by the Grande Mosquée de Paris to discover the largest mosque in France. From the beautiful outdoor garden (which is especially nice in the spring) to the mosaic-tiled prayer rooms, this is a fun and unique stop that will have you feeling like you’re anywhere but Paris! The café also serves excellent mint tea and North African food. Side note: you must cover your knees to enter, but they provide a wrap skirt to wear if needed. Arab World Institute To finish your Latin Quarter walking tour with a bird’s eye view of the city, head over the Arab World Institute. This museum has a free rooftop platform, offering views over the river Seine and Notre Dame. I only discovered this hidden gem at the end of my 2 years in Paris and only wish I had found this great view sooner! There is also a cafe restaurant located on the roof, where you rest your feet for a bit to admire the view overlooking Paris and Notre Dame. WHERE TO EAT I Lazarri- for the best pizza in the city, head to this quaint restaurant located just 2 minutes from the Pantheon. I always order the Pizza Margherita and it’s the best I’ve ever eaten! La Jacobine- for a classic French meal, head to a small, hidden street where you’ll find La Jacobine. This restaurant is famous for its French Onion Soup and it definitely does not disappoint. Trieze Bakery Paris- looking for breakfast or brunch? Located just outside the Luxembourg Gardens, this bakery offers American-style brunch in a patio setting with the cutest ambiance. I hope you enjoy exploring more of Paris’ oldest and most unique neighborhood through this Complete Walking Guide To the Latin Quarter! Want more info about Paris? Check out my other Paris blog posts: Complete Walking Guide to Montmartre10 Things To Know Before Visiting Paris12 Best Views of the Eiffel Tower10 Places You Must Eat In Paris DID YOU LIKE THIS POST? PIN IT FOR LATER!
