Latin Quarter, Paris Overview

The progressive, free-spirited and artistic quarter of Paris, Quartier Latin, has been central to student life in Paris. It consists of educational institutions, research centres and other aids to student life such as bistros and cafes. This bohemian neighbourhood has evolved into a tourist attraction with its old charm and scholarly vibe.

The Quartier Latin is one of the most lively areas of Paris and extends over the 5th and 6th Arrondissements. Designed somewhere in the Middle Ages, the Latin Quarter of Paris has come to hold Paris’ educational endeavours and artistic spirit intact. The Sorbonne district and Saint-Genevieve mountain lie at the centre of this area surrounded by ancient churches, grand mosques, amphitheatres, majestic gardens and narrow cobbled quintessentially Parisian streets. There are over 20 schools, colleges and universities and 14 scientific research centres spread across the Quartier Latin. 

Relatively undisturbed by Haussmann’s renovation like the rest of Paris, the Latin Quarter in Paris is one of the few places to relive the medieval-era Paris in the modern century. The Latin Quarter in Paris is lined with a number of bistros and cafes that make up for the lively student life. Soft music is always overflowing across the streets along with fairy night lights help set the mood for unwinding at these cafes and bistros.

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Places to Visit at Latin Quarter in Paris

 Latin Quarter in Paris
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The Quartier Latin can itself provide entertaining as well as engaging sights for days. Every nook and corner of the Latin Quarter in Paris is filled with unique and interesting glimpses. Some of the major sightseeing attractions at the Quartier Latin are - the bustling streets of Boulevard Saint Michel, the strikingly 13th-century Sorbonne University, the mausoleum Pantheon where Victor Hugo and Marie Curie rests along with other significant French artists, the dedicated museum Musee de Cluny to the life and culture of the Middle Ages and the exquisite gardens of Jardin du Luxembourg.

Boulevard Saint Michel

Address: Boulevard Saint-Michel, Du pont Saint-Michel à Port-Royal, 75006 Paris
Attractions: Mk2 Hautefeuille (arthouse cinema), Fountain at Square Saint Michel, the ancient pedestrian street Rue St-Andre-des-Arts for all local delights

Sorbonne University

Address: 15-21 Rue de l'École de Médecine, 75006 Paris, France
Timings: Monday to Friday - 09:00 AM - 05:00 PM
Details: sorbonne.fr/en/the-sorbonne/visiting-the-sorbonne/

Pantheon

Address: Place du Panthéon, 75005 Paris, France
Timings: Monday to Sunday - 10:00 AM - 06:30 PM
Details: paris-pantheon.fr/en/

Musee de Cluny (National Museum of the Middle Ages)

Address: 28 Rue du Sommerard, 75005 Paris, France
Timings: Monday to Sunday - 09:15 AM - 05:345 PM; closed on Tuesday
Details: musee-moyenage.fr/

Jardin du Luxembourg

Address: Jardin du Luxembourg, Rue de Médicis - Rue de Vaugirard, 75006 Paris 
Timings: Open at 7:30 AM to 8:15 AM and closes between 04:30 PM to 9:30 PM (depends on seasonality)
Details: senat.fr/visite/jardin/
Other attractions that one should definitely add to their itinerary are the ruins of age old lutetia in Arenes de Lutece, the largest mosque in all of Paris Grand Mosquee de Paris, the botanical garden Jardin des Plantes, the various museums in the Natural History Museum and the gothic historical church Eglise Saint-Séverin Saint-Nicolas.

Shopping at Quartier Latin

Latin Quarter in Paris
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The Quartier Latin being the centre of student life also hosts some of the most affordable street shopping stops of Paris. Rue de la Huchette is famous for housing some of the most interesting shopping stores, one of them is called Latin Square Shopping Street. Other significant shopping streets and markets in the Latin Quarter of Paris are - Rue Mouffetard, Maubert Market, Place Monge and Port-Royal. One can find not only shops for clothing or other trinkets but shops that sell cheese, chocolates, digital recordings of music, perfumes, outdoor sports equipment, organic fruits and vegetables and other baked goods.

Bookstores at Latin Quarter in Paris

Latin Quarter in Paris
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Latin Quarter in Paris is also known as the book lovers haven with a lot of artistic book shops across the neighbourhood. Some of these bookstores that anyone should definitely stop by are -

Shakespear and Company

Address: 37 Rue de la Bûcherie, 75005 Paris, France
Timings: Monday to Saturday - 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM; Sunday - 012:30 AM - 08:00 PM
Details: shakespeareandcompany.com

Gibert Joseph Paris Bookstore

Address: 26 Boulevard Saint-Michel, 75006 Paris, France
Timings: Monday to Saturday - 10:00 AM - 08:00 PM; closed on Sundays
Details: gibert.com/stores/

Album Comics 

Address: 67 Boulevard Saint-Germain, 75005 Paris, France
Timings: Monday to Saturday - 10:00 AM - 08:00 PM; Sunday - 012:00 AM - 07:00 PM
Details: albumcomics.com/en/

Abbey Bookshop

Address: 29 Rue de la Parcheminerie, 75005 Paris, France
Timings: Monday to Saturday - 10:00 AM - 07:00 PM; closed on Sundays
Details: abbeybookshop.wordpress.com

Librarie Eyrolles 

Address: 55-57-61 Boulevard Saint-Germain, 75005 Paris, France
Timings: Monday to Saturday - 10:00 AM - 08:00 PM; closed on Sundays
Details: eyrolles.com

History of Quartier Latin

Latin Quarter in Paris
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The history of Quartier Latin is owed to the monuments and landmarks that are present in it. The Saint Michel Fountain rests at the heart of Place St. Michel. It showcases a baroque style sculpture of Saint-Michel killing a demon of some sort. This exact place was once a site of numerous protests, revolts and uprisings. One of the significant events during the French resistance to the Nazis took place in this square. In the more recent riots of 1968, students took over the square against police forces, demanding an independent state. Eventually, the worker class joined the uprising, and De Gaulle's government fell. Once known to be “Washington Square Park”, the square used to be a popular site where people from all walks of life such as musicians, actors, artists, painters and writers used to interact and learn from each other.

How To Reach Latin Quarter in Paris

The closest subway stations to Latin Quariter is Cluny - La Sorbonne. The closest Paris rail stop is at Luxembourg.
Bus Numbers - 21, 24, 27, 38, 47, 63, 67, 82, 84, 85, 86, 87, 89

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