Original subtitles

Welcome to the Latin Quarter, one of the oldest and liveliest neighborhoods in

Paris.

Today, we're exploring much more than its famous landmarks.

Historic churches, fascinating museums, hidden gems, great places to eat, shop

and relax.

And since you're not all interested in the same things, I've divided this tour

into 12 different categories with three of my favorite places in each.

So come on, let's discover the Latin Quarter together!

The Latin Quarter lies on the left bank of the Seine, mostly in Paris' 5th

arrondissement.

It's a fairly compact neighborhood but be prepared for some uphill walking as

the streets climb from the river towards the Panthéon on top of the Montagne

Saint-Geneviève.

I've created two maps featuring all 36 places we're going to explore in this

video.

Unfortunately, Google My Maps has some limitations that prevent me from putting

everything on a single map.

But you'll find links to both maps in the video description.

Let's start with a little history and travel almost 2000 years back in time.

Back then, Paris was called Lutetia and a Roman city.

developed mainly on the left bank of the Seine, right where the Latin Quarter

stands today.

Its main street was the Cardo Maximus, which followed the route of today's Rue

Saint-Jacques.

And believe it or not, some traces of that Roman city are still standing.

Hidden behind ordinary apartment buildings, the Arène de Lutèce are one

of the few surviving remains of Roman Paris.

Built around the end of the 1st century AD, this amphitheater could accommodate

thousands of spectators watching theatrical performances and gladiatorial

combats.

And today, you can explore it completely free of charge.

Let's jump forward more than a thousand years to the Middle Ages.

By the 13th century, Paris had become one of Europe's leading centers of

education, attracting students and scholars from all over the continent.

This is the Sorbonne University, founded in 1257 by Robert de Sorbonne,

originally as a college of theology.

Back then, teaching was conducted in Latin, the common language of scholars

from different countries.

And that's precisely why this part of Paris became known as the Latin Quarter.

For our final stop through the history of the Latin Quarter, let's visit one of

its most impressive landmarks, the Panthéon.

Originally built in the 18th century as a church dedicated to Saint Genevieve,

the patron saint of Paris, it was transformed during the French Revolution

into a monument honoring France's greatest figures.

The interior is absolutely spectacular.

but don't miss the crypt beneath the building.

Here, you'll find the resting places of some of France's most celebrated

figures, including Voltaire, Victor Hugo, Marie Curie, or, since a few years

only, Josephine Baker.

And if you have the opportunity, climb up to the colonnade beneath the dome.

You'll be rewarded with one of the most spectacular panoramic views of Paris.

The Latin Quarter has always been a neighborhood of books and bookstores.

And if you've heard of Shakespeare and Company, you've probably also heard

about the lines outside.

So instead, let me show you a great alternative just a few streets away, the

Abbey Bookshop.

Founded in 1989 by Canadian Brian Spence, this little English language

bookstore is packed with books, more than 40,000 of them.

There are books everywhere, from floor to ceiling, and barely enough room to

move around.

Now, that's what I call a bookstore.

And if you're addicted to the smell of old books, like i am this is your kind

of place

and

of course if you can't find what you're looking for or simply get lost in a maze

the lovely people who work here will be happy to help you out in english and in

French.

And watch your step on the stairs leading down to the basement.

It's a real book lover's cave down there.

Now, walk just a few hundred meters, perhaps taking a little detour through

the beautiful Rue Galande, and you'll reach Rue Dante, a street

that's practically a paradise for comic book and manga lovers.

Along this relatively short street, you'll find more than 10 bookstores

specializing in comic books, covering just about every genre and offering

titles in several languages.

And for our third stop, let's leave comic books and manga behind and

discover a completely different world, just a short walk away on Rue Saint

-Jacques.

Welcome to Librairie Vigne, a treasure trove for lovers of rare and antique

books.

Here you'll find first editions, beautifully bound volumes, old

engravings and literary treasures that you certainly won't find in your average

bookstore.

The location couldn't be more appropriate.

Rue Saint-Jacques was once at the very heart of Paris' printing and publishing

industry, with more than 150 printers and booksellers in the 16th century

alone.

More than 500 years later, Librairie Vigne is keeping that tradition alive.

Now, after all that history and culture, how about something a little sweeter?

Let's start at Le Bonbon au Palais, on Rue Mange.

Step inside and you'll feel you've traveled back in time to an old

-fashioned French classroom.

Except that here, the shelves are filled with candy.

And these aren't just ordinary sweets.

You'll find traditional specialties from all over France.

Calissons from Provence, bergamot candies from Nancy, and even the famous

bêtises de Cambrai.

It's almost like taking a delicious little tour of France without ever

leaving Paris.

Next, chocolate lovers, here's an address you shouldn't miss.

Franck Castaner?

just across from the Luxembourg Gardens.

Franck Castaner holds the prestigious title of Meilleur Ouvrier de France, one

of the highest distinctions a French craftsman can receive.

His boutique offers beautiful handmade chocolates, pralines, chocolate bars and

macarons, including some rather unusual flavor combinations.

So whether you're looking for a little treat for yourself or a delicious gift

to take home, this is definitely a place worth checking out.

And for our final sweet stop, let's head to one of the prettiest little pastry

shops in the Latin Quarter, Odette.

Their specialty?

Choux à la crème, delicious little cream puffs available in several flavors.

The shop itself is absolutely charming, but here's my tip.

If you can, grab a table upstairs where you'll enjoy a lovely view of Notre

-Dame.

And once you've finished your pastries, don't go too far.

Just a few steps away, there's something else well worth discovering.

And here it is, Saint Julien le Pauvre, one of the oldest churches in Paris

dating back to the 12th century.

But what makes this little church so unusual is what you'll discover inside.

Since 1889, it has been used by the Melkite Greek Catholic community.

which follows the Byzantine tradition.

And that explains the magnificent iconostasis, this beautiful wall of

religious icons separating the sanctuary from the rest of the church.

The next church, only 200 meters away, is Saint-Severin, one of the finest

examples of flamboyant Gothic architecture in Paris.

Once inside, look for the extraordinary twisted column in the ambulatory, which

looks almost like a palm tree.

And don't miss the stained glass windows.

Some date back to the Middle Ages, while others were created in the 20th century

by French artist Jean Bazaine.

It's a fascinating combination of medieval and modern art.

And, as in any Catholic church in Paris, admission is completely free.

And for our third church, let's head back towards the Panthéon to Saint

-Etienne-du-Mont.

From the outside, Its unusual façade combines Gothic and Renaissance

architecture.

But a real surprise is inside.

Look at this magnificent stone structure, with its two spiral

staircases and delicate carvings.

It's called a root screen, or jubé in French, and Saint-Etienne du Mont is the

only church in Paris where one has survived.

The church also houses the shrine of Saint Genevieve, the patron saint of

Paris.

After all these beautiful churches, how about a little fresh air?

The Latin Quarter is also home to some wonderful gardens, and let's start with

the most famous of them all, the Luxembourg Gardens.

Created in the early 17th century for Queen Marie de Médicis, this magnificent

garden surrounds the Luxembourg Palace, which is now home to the French Senate.

It's one of my favorite places in Paris to take a break, find one of those

iconic green chairs and simply watch the world go by.

It's also the perfect place for a picnic and despite its popularity you can still

find plenty of peaceful corners away from the crowds.

Now for something completely different, let's head to the Jardin des Plantes.

This is much more than just a beautiful park.

Founded in the 17th century as a rural garden for medicinal plants, it's now

one of France's most important botanical gardens.

You'll find beautifully arranged flower beds, thousands of plant species, and

impressive tropical greenhouses.

And here's a little hidden gem, the Alpine Garden, tucked away behind a

discreet entrance in the Botanical School.

And for our third garden, let's discover another little hidden gem, right in the

heart of the Latin Quarter.

Just beside the Musée de Cluny, you'll find a charming medieval-inspired

garden, a peaceful escape from the busy streets around it.

Recently renovated and reopened in 2025, the garden takes its inspiration from

the Middle Ages, when plants were grown not only for their beauty, but also for

cooking and medicinal purposes.

You'll discover little garden plots, aromatic herbs, flowers, and quiet

corners where you can simply sit and relax.

And best of all, this lovely little garden, like the two others, is

completely free to visit.

Since we're already here, why not step inside the Musée de Cluny, the first of

the three museums I'd like to recommend in the Latin Quarter.

Officially known as the National Museum of the Middle Ages, it's housed in a

magnificent 15th century mansion, built right next to the remains of Roman baths

dating back almost 2000 years.

Inside, you'll discover an extraordinary collection of medieval art, including

sculptures, stained glass, jewelry, and beautifully decorated objects.

But the museum's greatest treasures are undoubtedly the six tapestries known as

the Lady and the Unicorn, dating from around 1500.

Each is filled with fascinating details, and together they form one of the most

celebrated masterpieces of medieval art.

Even if you're not particularly interested in the Middle Ages, this

museum is well worth a visit.

Now let's jump forward a few centuries.

to discover a small museum dedicated to one of the greatest scientists of all

time, Marie Curie.

She was the first woman to win a Nobel Prize and the only person ever to win

Nobel Prizes in two different scientific disciplines.

The Musée Curie, housed in the former Radium Institute, tells the story of her

groundbreaking research into radioactivity.

You can even visit her original office and laboratory.

But don't worry.

The laboratory was decontaminated back in 1981, so it's perfectly safe to

visit.

And best of all, admission is completely free.

For our third museum, let's head back to the Jardin des Plantes.

Welcome to the Grande Galerie de l'Evolution, one of the most spectacular

natural history museums in Paris.

Inside this magnificent 19th century building, you'll discover thousands of

animal specimens from around the world.

The highlight is this incredible procession of African animals with

elephants, giraffes, zebras and many others.

But beyond the impressive displays, the museum also explores evolution,

biodiversity and endangered species.

A fascinating experience for both adults and children.

Now let's go shopping!

On the lovely Place Monge, home to a wonderful outdoor market three days a

week, you'll find one of Paris' three most affordable pharmacies.

Pharmacie Mange is the perfect place to stock up on French skincare products,

often much cheaper than back home.

I've actually compared prices at three of Paris' most affordable pharmacies in

another video, and Pharmacie Mange was right up there with the best.

Now, souvenir shops in Paris?

Usually, I'd tell you to stay away.

But here's an exception.

Par ici les souvenirs de Paris, on rue Mouffetard.

What makes this shop different is its wide selection of souvenirs actually

made in France rather than mass produced in China.

And the prices are surprisingly reasonable.

One of the very few souvenir shops in Paris I can genuinely recommend.

And for something a little different, let's head to the far end of the

beautiful Rue Galande.

There, you'll find Le Comptoir des Monastères.

In this small shop, you'll find a wonderful selection of products made by

monks and nuns in monasteries across France.

Honey, jams, biscuits, chocolates, coffee, all sorts of traditional treats.

And some great Abbey beers too.

Many are made in small quantities, following recipes passed down through

generations.

And they make wonderful gifts to take home, certainly more original than

another Eiffel Tower keychain.

I love fountains, and luckily the Latin Quarter has some beautiful ones.

Let me show you three of my favorites.

Let's start with the monumental Saint-Michel fountain.

built in the 19th century during Napoleon III's transformation of Paris.

After an extensive restoration, it was finally unveiled again in October 2026,

looking as magnificent as ever.

Much less famous, but equally worth a look, is the Fontaine Cuvier, just

outside the Jardin des Plantes.

Built in the 1840s, it allows Georges Cuvier, one of France's great

naturalists.

Take a closer look at the sculptures, filled with references to the natural

world.

And finally, my personal favorite, the beautiful Médicis Fontaine in the

Luxembourg Gardens.

Originally commissioned by Queen Marie de Médicis in the 17th century, it's now

one of the most romantic spots in Paris.

Find a chair, sit back, and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere.

If you want to experience everyday Parisian life, there's no better place

to start than a local food market.

The Marché Mange takes place three mornings a week, Wednesday, Friday and

Sunday.

Fresh fruits, vegetables, cheeses, fish and plenty of other delicious products.

Even if you're not planning to buy anything, it's worth a visit just for

the atmosphere.

Just a short walk away, Rue Mouffetard is one of the oldest and liveliest

shopping streets in Paris.

There, you'll find traditional food shops, restaurants, cafes, and plenty of

local character.

Of course, you'll come across plenty of tourists, but Rue Mouffetard is still

very much a neighborhood shopping street, where locals come to buy their

everyday groceries.

Walk uphill and you'll reach the charming Place de la Contrescarpe,

surrounded by café terraces.

Even if they had to cut the trees recently, it's still a wonderful place

to sit down, have a drink and watch Parisian life go by.

And here's another side of the Latin Quarter's international character.

The Bombardier, a traditional British pub right next to the Panthéon, with its

English beers, pub food and lively atmosphere.

It's a popular gathering place for students, expats and locals alike.

So if you fancy a pint after a day of sightseeing, you know where to go.

Of course, this wouldn't be a real Paris Top Tips video.

without me sharing a few restaurant recommendations with you.

Let's start with Balzard, a historic Parisian brasserie on Rue des Ecoles.

I recently had another lunch here, and while the food was good rather than

exceptional, what I really loved was the atmosphere.

This is exactly the kind of traditional Parisian brasserie I enjoy, with its

classic décor, and lively dining room.

I'll be reviewing Balsar in more detail very soon in a separate video.

In the meantime, if you happen to be in the neighborhood around lunchtime or

dinnertime, you can trust me.

you'll have a pleasant dining experience at Balzac.

For our second restaurant, let's head to Maison Cluny, a charming little bistro

combining vintage and contemporary décor.

I had dinner here with a friend and really enjoyed the warm atmosphere and

the Mediterranean-inspired French cuisine.

My blanket of piglet cheeks with clams and winter vegetables was delicious.

And my friend's slow-cooked lamb pappardelle was equally good.

The wine selection was excellent too.

Definitely a lovely place for a relaxed dinner in the Latin Quarter.

Finally, for something completely different, let's head to Chez Gladine

Saint-Germain.

This friendly, unpretentious restaurant specializes in hearty Basque and

Southwestern French cuisine, served in very generous portions.

I particularly enjoyed the crispy goat cheese with honey, followed by

cuttlefish with parsley and rice.

And to get the full Basque experience, I tried the fruity, slightly sweet Old Aki

red beer, and it was excellent.

And of course, I couldn't resist an île flottante for dessert.

A traditional brasserie, a cozy French bistro, or a restaurant serving regional

specialties, the Latin Quarter offers enough variety to satisfy just about any

appetite, at any mealtime.

Now, what about an evening out in the Latin Quarter?

Let's start with the Paradis Latin.

one of Paris's oldest cabarets, with the history dating back to the early 19th

century.

Expect spectacular costumes, singing, dancing, and a good dose of Parisian

glamour.

You can even combine the show with dinner.

For movie lovers, there's Le Shampoo, a legendary independent cinema that opened

in 1938.

Located just opposite the Sorbonne, it's famous for its classic films,

retrospectives and special screenings.

Its art deco façade is even listed as a historic monument.

If you love cinema and want something different from the usual Hollywood

blockbusters, Le Shampoo is definitely worth checking out.

If you've watched a few of my videos, you've probably noticed that I have a

soft spot for jazz.

In fact, it's the soundtrack to almost everything I do on Paris Top Tips.

So how could I possibly leave out the legendary Caveau de la Huchette?

Since 1946, this underground jazz club has been bringing live music and swing

dancing to the leading quarter.

And you might recognize it from the movie La La Land.

And finally, if you're visiting the Latin Quarter with kids, don't worry,

there's plenty to keep them entertained too.

To wrap up our tour, here are three fun activities that your children will love

and that you might enjoy just as much.

First, the Ménagerie du Jardin des Plantes, one of the oldest zoos in the

world, founded in 1794.

The stars of this relatively small zoo are the red pandas, always playful and

absolutely adorable.

But there's plenty more to discover, including monkeys, kangaroos, reptiles

and many other fascinating animals.

Next, head to the Luxembourg Gardens for a lovely Parisian tradition.

Children can rent little wooden sailboats and push them across the large

pond using a long stick.

It's wonderfully old-fashioned, surprisingly entertaining, and a great

alternative to spending the afternoon looking at a screen.

Just remember, this activity is seasonal.

The little sailboats are available from June through August, as well as for two

weeks during the school holidays in April and October.

And finally, let's go back to the Panthéon for something that might

fascinate the whole family, Foucault's pendulum.

First demonstrated here in 1851, this remarkable experiment provides visible

evidence that the Earth is rotating.

The pendulum swings while the Earth slowly turns beneath it.

A fascinating little science lesson?

inside one of Paris' greatest monuments.

And that brings us to the end of our tour of the Latin Quarter.

36 places and experiences, and hopefully a few discoveries you didn't already

know about.

Don't forget, I've created two Google My Maps with all 36 locations and you'll

find the links in the description below.

Now tell me in the comments, what's your favorite place in the Latin Quarter?

Or is there somewhere you think I should have included?

And if you enjoyed this video, give it a thumbs up, subscribe to ParisTopTips,

and I'll see you soon for more Paris discoveries.

Until then, take care and enjoy Paris!