Latin Quarter in Paris - Fun Things To Do & Pro Tips

Where Is The Latin Quarter in Paris

The Latin Quarter in Paris is spread across the 5th and 6th arrondissements. It is located on the left bank of the river Seine which passes through the capital city. This part of Paris has a lot of universities and hence is also a popular student hang out. Interestingly enough, it does not get its name from the architecture in the area. Instead, it is because people who studied in the universities used Latin as the language of communication in the middle ages. Hence the Latin Quarter.

Transport In The Latin Quarter In Paris

Walk

The Latin Quarter is one of the most walkable areas in Paris. It has wide footpaths and is connected well to the city. In fact despite the well developed pedestrian infrastructure, the overwhelming number of tourists may make it feel insufficient.

Take The Bus

Buses are relatively frequent and connect you to different parts of the city and beyond. Since the prices of accommodation are so high in the city, many people stay outside the main city area of Paris and commute in to work. This means that the peak hours can be pretty busy. So try to avoid them if you can.

Take The Metro

Paris has an extensive metro system which is simple enough to use. You can buy a day pass or a ticket for the journey and just tap in. Just note that there are no elevators or escalators so you will have to walk up and down flights of stairs. So avoid carrying a lot with you.

Things To Do In The Latin Quarter In Paris

One of the advantages of exploring the Latin Quarter in Paris is the fact that most of the attractions are very close to each. This means that you can easily cover a lot in a single day. Here are a couple of my top recommendations in the area.

1. Pantheon

One of the most iconic buildings in the Latin Quarter in Paris is the Pantheon. If you don't have the time to enter into it, I recommend at least checking out the building from the outside. It is famous for many reasons but one of them is that it houses the remains of many iconic figures from Paris.

Another interesting fact about this interesting domed building is that before the Eiffel Tower was constructed, it was the highest point in Paris.

We did not have time to see the inside of the building and even if we did, we hadn't booked the tickets in advance like we should have.

2. Shakespeare & Co

Shakespeer and Co is famous in the book world. It is an English bookshop that has a vast book collection. It also has a number of events. The schedule changes so you need to keep an eye on their socials.

What Shakespeare and Co is really known for is the fact that it was a place that was built for both writers and readers. It was visited by many famous authors.

A note here. The bookshop is large but it is very popular. In order to ensure some sense of order, there are only a certain number of people who are allowed in at a time. This is why you will see a queue in front of the store.

3. Catch A Meal

I would recommend stopping for a bit while you explore the area. We started off with a breakfast at one of the Parisian cafes in the area. Took it slow and enjoyed the view. Had a good meal and enjoyed all the French pastries.

You could also choose to do this mid day or in the evening. We stopped for crepes at La Creme de Paris Notre Dame in the afternoon. It had a view of the Notre Dame and the crepes were huge. You can choose from sweet or savory. Just make sure that you bring an appetite.

4. Shopping

6. See A Cabaret Show

Paradis Latin is located in the Latin Quarter of Paris and it was built way back in 1803 by Napoleon. It was then reconstructed in 1889 by Gustave Eiffel. This iconic building is the oldest cabaret in Paris and it still conducts cabarets inside. You do have to book your tickets in advance because it is incredibly popular.

The show is made in collaboration with the famous French choreographer and show director, Kamel Ouali. The intent of the show L'Oiseau Paradis is to take you on an artistic journey. It pulls out a range of human emotions including humor.

Free Things To Do In The Latin Quarter In Paris

6. Bibliotheque Sainte Genevieve

If you love books or if you need a quiet place to work/study in then you will find that the Saint Genevieve library is one of the best places to be. It has incredible architecture and it is free to enter. You do have to register online and bring an ID card along with you. Make sure you do that in advance.

8. Luxembourg Gardens

The Luxembourg gardens are a great place to be in if you want a bit of quiet time in nature. The gardens span across a huge area in the city which I find amazing given that Paris is one of the busiest cities in the world. A lot of people walk through the area, sit on the lawn or enjoy a picnic lunch here. There are wide spaces where children can play and even a playground (that however has a fee).

Aside from walking through a beautiful green space, you will also get a chance to admire some of the Parisian architecture. You can see the Pantheon from some parts of the garden. Other buildings that you can spot include the Museum of Minerology, Orangerie du Sénat, Sénat, various fountains etc.

Things To Do in The Latin Quarter In Paris With Kids

We spent a whole day wandering through the Latin Quarter in Paris with our kids aged 5 & 6. We kept an eye out for things to do with kids in the area. Aside from the cafes, bookshops and museums, these are activities that we found.

9. Ludo Jardin

The Ludo Jardin is located inside the Luxembourg garden. It is a kids playground which is large and has activities for kids of all ages. It also has a snack stall where you can buy something to eat and a drinking water fountain where you can fill up your water bottles.

The playground is not free though and you need to pay fee for both adults and kids to enter.

10. Carrousel du Luxembourg

The Carrousel is located right outside the Ludo Jardin. It is a traditional merry-go-round. Again it is paid but it is still interesting. The lines are not long and the queue moves fast enough. It is however aimed at the smaller kids.

Museums In The Latin Quarter In Paris

There are a couple of museums that you can add to your list when you are in the area. I'm just going to list them out and you can check them out if you want to.

• Musée d’histoire de la médecine
• Musée de Cluny
• Musée Curie
• Musée de la Préfecture de Police de Paris
• Arènes de Lutèce

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