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Must-See Paris: Latin Quarter

The Latin Quarter (Quartier Latin) has long been the center of Parisian intellectual life.

Situated on Paris's Left Bank, the district spreads across the fifth arrondissement and parts of the sixth.

Its heart is the esteemed Université Sorbonne, one of the oldest centers of highest education in the world.

Throughout history, intellectuals have flocked to the quarter's charming cafés to talk politics and philosophy and to its seedy nightclubs to partake in spirited debauchery.

Today, curious tourists outnumber would-be Hemingways on the main boulevards, but the spirit of the district persists in the crowded backstreets.

The Latin Quarter is best explored by wandering its streets aimlessly, but be sure not to miss the following highlights:

• Peruse literature at Shakespeare and Company. Opened in 1951 by George Whitman, Shakespeare & Company takes the name and spirit of Sylvia Beach's historic bookstore, which served as a gathering place for Anglo-American intellectuals between 1919 and 1941. Today, the quaint shop is the perfect place to browse through new and used books and chat with fellow readers.

• Snack on Paris street food. Head down Rue de la Huchette, a bustling street lined with lively restaurants and bars. Pick up a banana-nutella crepe or french fry-filled gyro from one of the many stands, or browse through silly souvenirs.

• Visit the Sorbonne. Stroll through the university's main campus, sneak a peek into the library and if you're really feeling intellectual, say you're a prospective student and inquire about sitting in on a class.

• Catch a choral performance at St-Germain-des-Pres. This church, the oldest in Paris, was originally completed in AD 558 but owes most of its current appearance to 12th-century reconstructions. The Church frequently stages concerts and recitals for the public; visit during the daytime to obtain a schedule.

• Sip coffee at Les Deux Magots. Undoubtedly the most famous café in Paris, this spot on the Boulevard Saint-Germain, opposite the church, was once the favorite haunt of artists like Simone de Beauvoir, Jean-Paul Sartre, Albert Camus and Ernest Hemingway. Take an outdoor seat for prime-people watching.

• Explore the Jardin du Luxembourg. One of the most magnificent outdoor spaces in Paris, the Jardin du Luxembourg was created in the 17th century at the request of Marie de Médicis. Centered around a stately palace, the garden contains sprawling lawns, colorful flower-beds and immaculately-groomed shrubbery. During the summertime, residents and tourists crowd around the Observatoire fountain to read and relax.

Paris Latin Quarter basics

Shakespeare & Company
37 rue Bûcherie, 5th arrondissement
Metro: Cité
http://www.shakespeareco.org/

Les Deux Magots
6 place Saint Germain des Prés, 6th arrondissement
Metro: Saint Germain des Prés
http://www.lesdeuxmagots.fr/index.php

La Sorbonne
1 rue Victor Cousin, 5th arrondissement
Metro: Saint-Michel or Odéon
http://www.paris-sorbonne.fr/en/spip.php?article13

Church of Saint Germain des Prés
3 place Saint Germain des Prés, 6th arrondissement
Metro: Saint Germain des Prés
http://www.eglise-sgp.org/

Jardin du Luxembourg
Off boulevard Saint-Michel, 5th and 6th arrondissements
Metro: Odéon
http://www.v1.paris.fr/en/Visiting/gardens/jardin_luxembourg.asp

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