The Latin Quarter of Paris is one of the city's most enchanting districts, brimming with history, culture, and a vibrant student atmosphere. Nestled on the Left Bank of the Seine, this area has been a hub of intellectual and artistic life for centuries.
From the grand Sorbonne University to the charming Rue Mouffetard, every street here tells a story.
As a seasoned traveler and Paris enthusiast, I’ve explored every hidden alley and bustling square in this neighborhood. Whether you're looking for iconic landmarks, like the Panthéon or the stunning Saint-Étienne-du-Mont Church, or simply want to soak in the Parisian charm at a traditional café, the Latin Quarter has something for everyone. It’s also a haven for book lovers, with treasures like Shakespeare and Company and the historic Librairie Jousseaume.
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Foodies will relish the authentic French bistros and crêperies, while history buffs can lose themselves in the Musée de Cluny, home to medieval masterpieces. And let’s not forget the Jardin du Luxembourg, one of the most beautiful parks in Paris, perfect for a relaxing stroll.
In this guide, I’ll take you through the best places in the Latin Quarter, sharing insider tips to make the most of your visit. Whether it’s your first time in Paris or your tenth, this legendary neighborhood never disappoints.
Best Places to See in the Latin Quarter, Paris
1. Strolling through the Sorbonne Square
It is the University area of Paris , where the cafés for intellectual and political debate were located , something that will be shared by this neighborhood, at the epicenter of the French Revolution.
2. Visit the Pantheon in Paris
The Mont Sainte-Geneviève is one of the highest points in Paris (after the Sacré-Cœur) and is where the Pantheon of Paris is located.
It is undoubtedly be one of the top places to visit when discovering the Latin Quarter of Paris.
3. Browsing famous bookstores in Paris: Shakespeare & Co
The Latin Quarter of Paris is the enlightened quarter, where the Sorbonne University will mark the life of the area, with rebellions and activities and for its legendary bookstores.
An example is the Shakespeare & Company Bookstore , located opposite Notre Dame de Paris but on the other side of the Seine River.
4. Strolling through the Emily neighborhood in Paris
Emily’s house in Paris is located at 1 Place de l’Estarpade . It is a place that has become a tourist attraction for fans of the Netflix series and, why not, you can meet Emily!
The location is just around the corner from the Pantheon in Paris.
5. Strolling and reading a book in the Luxembourg Gardens
One of the most beautiful gardens in Paris to add to your list. Built in 1612 by Marie de Médicis, it pays tribute throughout its entirety to great women of history and houses, to the north, the Fountain of the Medici .
There is the Luxembourg Palace, where the French Senate currently operates.
6. Entering the old church of Saint Séverin
It is a church located on Rue Saint-Jacques in Gothic-medieval style completed in 1454.
It is a very small but very pretty church where you can breathe the antiquity of the neighborhood.
We also walk along the little street where Julio Cortázar ‘s Hopscotch begins and the avenue where the May 1968 protest took place.
7. Visiting Roman Ruins in Paris: Hôtel Cluny and the Colosseum
The Cluny Hotel is one of the most emblematic spots in the neighborhood, as it is a medieval abbey built on the ruins of Roman baths and is today the Museum of Medieval Art of Paris .
In this video we show you what the medieval museum of Paris is like and we tell a little about the history of this part of the neighborhood.
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Best Restaurants in the Latin Quarter of Paris
The Latin Quarter has a wide range of gastronomic options full of alternatives. We can find haute cuisine , emblematic restaurants and we also have an area full of cheap Parisian restaurants on Rue de la Harpe and Rue de la Huchette , preferred by students and some tourists (as we showed you in episode 1 of the Latin Quarter ).
8. Lunch at the Relais Louis XIII, haute cuisine in Paris
Near the Citadines Saint Germain hotel , on a medieval-style corner, lies the Relais Louis XIII , a French haute cuisine restaurant with Chef Manuel Martínez at the helm of the kitchen.
You can order a la carte or indulge in a 5- to 8-course menu . Here, all the chef’s culinary art will be on display in a quiet space far from the glare of social media and the mainstream tourist circuit.
9. Dine at the oldest café in Paris
Café Procope was not only the first tea room to bring coffee to Paris, but was also the meeting point for revolutionaries such as Dalambert, Diderot, Benjamin Franklin and Robespierre , as well as a place for Napoleon Bonaparte to have coffee.
10. Walking around the entire Latin Quarter
If you come to Paris, take the time to walk around the Latin Quarter. It is one of the city’s most enchanting districts, brimming with history, culture, and a vibrant student atmosphere. Nestled on the Left Bank of the Seine, this area has been a hub of intellectual and artistic life for centuries.
