Many people know the Latin Quarter in Paris. These narrow streets are so saturated with student romanticism and rebellion that it is simply impossible to pass them by! It is believed that the quarter, which has no clear boundaries, is located around the Sorbonne University in the fifth and sixth arrondissements. Today we are going to take a walk through this interesting part of Paris, to look “behind the curtains” of modern student life, which is in full swing in the local streets.
Bakery La Parisienne
Before you start your difficult journey, we suggest you have a good meal with exquisite and aromatic pastries, which are presented in a huge assortment in the most famous bakery in the quarter. Especially we recommend you to appreciate the taste of fresh croissants, which are the signature dish of local pastry chefs. Today, there are at least 20 varieties for every taste. Each of them is original and genius in its own way, but the Parisians love the Pain au chocolat croissant, the filling of which consists of pieces of chocolate.
Don't like croissants? No problem! After all, the local assortment of pastries is not at all limited to these confectionery delights. Visitors will be offered to taste fresh shukets, eclairs, pies, mini-tarts and other sweets. For those tourists who do not have a weakness for sweet types of pastries, pastry chefs will offer pies with vegetable, fish or meat filling. Finding a bakery is easy, just navigate by the scent or look for a bright purple sign. You can ask for directions from the Parisians, each of whom knows perfectly well where the famous La Parisienne is.
Louvre: Time-Specific Entry Ticket
1-hour cruise "Lights of Paris"
Skip-the-line tickets to the roof of the Arc de Triomphe
Eiffel Tower: Second Floor Access
Versailles & Gardens: Skip-the-Line Entry Ticket with Audio Guide
Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour. Class., Prem. or Lux
Paris museums subscription: 2, 4 or 6 days
Tickets for Montparnasse: 56th Floor Roof Terrace
Show at the Moulin Rouge with champagne
Pantheon
Having a good snack, we go further. On a full stomach, it is much more pleasant to visit historical and cultural attractions, one of which is the Pantheon. This is a real example of French classicism, in which the noble French find their last refuge. It is worth noting that the architect J. Soufflot, who worked on the creation of a brilliant masterpiece, drew inspiration from a similar building, which is located in Rome. Initially, the Pantheon was assigned the role of a church, which Louis XV promised to build in the event that the gods have mercy on him and relieve him of a serious illness. Since during the construction process the recovered king could not avoid the sad fate of being overthrown, the new government decided to place the building at the disposal of the great French, who left this mortal world, turning it into a real tomb.
Sorbonne
To visit the Latin Quarter and not visit the world-famous Sorbonne University is an unspeakable audacity! This grandiose architectural monument got its name in honor of one of the closest people to King Louis IX - the theologian Robert de Sorbonne. It was with his good will that the first theological college (in the 13th century) was organized in Paris, which was destined to survive until our time and become part of the so-called. University of Paris. Before the adoption of the law that separated religion and state (1905), the facade of the university belonged to the chapel of St. Ursula of the Sorbonne. Today, this building is used to receive special guests and host numerous exhibitions.
Latin Quarter in person
If we turn to official historical sources, it will not be difficult to find out that the origin of the name of the quarter is associated with the language in which they taught at the universities located here. Today, the quarter does not even have clear administrative boundaries, so it is difficult to accurately determine the list of streets and objects that are part of it. It is reliably known that the quarter includes the fifth arrondissement and part of the sixth arrondissement of Paris. And in addition to the Sorbonne already known to us, several higher educational institutions are located on its territory - the Higher Normal School, the National School of Mining, the University of the Curies and others. By the way, all the necessary conditions for a comfortable time have been created for students on the narrow streets. There are many cozy cafes and bistros serving mouth-watering French cuisine at affordable prices, as well as many bookstores that help students master the difficult sides of their chosen profession.
Luxembourg garden
Next, we will proceed to the Luxembourg Gardens, which is included in the list of the most famous sights of Paris. The total area of the park complex exceeds 26 hectares. In addition to the grandiose "green zone", there is an equally impressive architectural landmark of the city - the Luxembourg Palace. Today, within its walls, sessions of the Senate are held (this is the second chamber of the French parliament). There was also a place for the head of the Senate. The Small Palace is considered its official residence. Interestingly, the Luxembourg Gardens itself retained the planning that was created back in the 17th century! The flowerbeds and terraces are arranged in the same order and in the same classic style. Only a few decades later, in the southeastern part of the complex, a more modern park zone appeared, designed in austere English style.
Cafe Les Deux Magots
Don't miss another famous cafe called Les Deux Magots. Surprisingly, the cafe owes its name not to significant historical events or famous Parisians, but to small figurines that personify Chinese merchants. Translated from French "Mago" is precisely a grotesque figurine. Until recently, this address housed the publication of the magazine of the same name, the first issue of which fell on the year of the defeat of the Emperor Napoleon at Borodino.
Another bright cafe is located at the intersection of Boulevard Saint-Germain and Avenue Saint-Benoit, which are located in the sixth arrondissement. For the first time, visitors found themselves within its walls back in 1887, and since then the cozy establishment has become a favorite meeting place for representatives of the intellectual class, as well as a diverse creative audience. As it often happens, the cafe got its name in honor of the goddess Flora, whose statue is located across the street from the entrance to the institution. Entering the cafe, visitors seem to be transported several decades ago. This is facilitated by the interior of the halls preserved from the Second World War. Initially, the café hosted the notorious "Parisian Nights", and a little later, representatives of ultra-right political movements gathered within its walls. If the walls could speak, they would tell many interesting stories and help reveal not a single bold plan of the opponents of the political regime that existed at that time.
GuruTurizma recommends the following hotels in the Latin Quarter of Paris:
Hôtel Vendome Saint-Germain
Paris
5 minutes walk from the Pantheon
Superb based on 1,124 reviews
Hôtel Albe Saint Michel
Paris
5 minutes from Notre Dame Cathedral
Superb based on 1,120 reviews
Qualys Hotel Apolonia Mouffetard
Paris
Notre Dame Cathedral is just 15 minutes away
Brasserie lipp
In addition to the already listed establishments, other attractions are located on the streets of the Latin Quarter. For example, Brasserie Lipp, which has become the site of the annual Kaza Literary Prize. It is believed that there were many famous people among the visitors to the brasserie, one of which is Antoine de Saint-Exupery.And since 1935, within its walls, they began to celebrate with awards writers and poets who were not awarded other awards for their work.
Use the services of kiwitaxi and at the airport, at the specified time, the driver will be waiting for you, help with the luggage and promptly take you to the hotel. Several car classes are available - from economy to Minibus with 19 seats. The price is fixed and does not depend on the number of passengers and the address within Paris. A taxi from / to the airport is a convenient and comfortable way to get to your destination.