self guided walking tour latin quarter paris

A Free & Self-Guided Latin Quarter Walking Tour of Paris

By: Author Sophie Nadeau

Posted on Last updated: 6th November 2021

Categories Paris , walking tour

Last Updated on 6th November 2021 by Sophie Nadeau

The Latin Quarter, otherwise known as the  Quartier Latin  in French, is a lively district with roots dating back to a time when Paris was known as Lutetia. Here’s a free and self-guided Latin Quarter walking tour. Along the way, you’ll discover some of the best bookstores in the city, get the chance to glimpse some history, and discover why the patron saint of Paris is no longer in her final resting place.

Latin Quarter Walking Tour: Practical Advice, Tricks & Tips

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If I were to give just one tip for this walking tour of the Latin Quarter (i.e. 5th arrondissement of Paris), it would be to ensure that you wear comfortable walking shoes. Although the route is predominantly flat, you’ll likely end up wanting to stop off at several of the sites and wander around.

For those who think that they’ll be seeing many cultural attractions and museums when in the French capital, I would also advise that you consider the Paris Pass. Though it’s a little pricey in its initial investment, this pass allows you to skip-the-line at many attractions and allows for entry into over sixty monuments and museums! Check here for Paris Pass prices and further information.

For further information on the Latin Quarter, be sure to read my guide to the 5th arrondissement . If you’re looking to stay in this area of the city (after all, basing yourself in this area means that you’re in a great spot from which to explore the rest of Paris) , then I highly recommend booking your accommodation in advance.

Walking time: 21 minutes

Distance covered: 1.6 km

For the very best cinnamon bun in the city, you simply must head to Circus Bakery . Newly opened and located along a pretty street close to the Notre Dame Cathedral, it’s also here where you’ll find some of the best coffee the city has to offer. Please note that as of late 2021, Circus bakery is permanently closed. Luckily, many of the same products that were for sale in Circus can now be found for sale in the Café in the Merci concept store in Le Marais.

The oldest tree in Paris can be found in the heart of Square René-Viviani , a pretty green space where many Parisians and tourists choose to picnic during the summer months.

Often said to date all the way back to the 1600s, this small piece of history is now propped up by concrete and wooden pillars. Nevertheless, be sure not to miss this quirk of history while in the area!

Of all the anglophone bookshops in Paris , Shakespeare & Co. is likely the most known of. Named for a bookshop which was opened by the American, Sylvia Beach, in 1919 and hosted some of the biggest names in writing during the era. During the 1920s, Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Gertrude Stein, all frequented the store.

Today, a new and second bookstore of the same name is open as an ode to the original . Should you wish to visit for yourself, be sure to be prepared to queue. After all, the bookstore is tiny and space is limited. If you’re visiting Paris in the cherry blossom season , you can also expect to see plenty of pretty cherry flowers outside the store.

If you’ve ever searched for the most instagrammable spots in Paris, then no doubt you’ll have come across Odette Paris . Situated in the Latin Quarter, steps away from the Church of Saint- Julien-le-Pauvre, Odette serves some of the best choux buns in the city! Located along a cobbled lane, be sure to head there mid-week or earlier in the day if possible so as to capture the pretty coffee shop with fewer people around!

Truth be told, my favourite church in Paris is not Notre Dame, nor is it the Sacré-Coeur Basilica. Instead, the beauty of the St Severin ecclesiastical building makes it well worth a wander inside if you’re ever passing through the Latin Quarter.

Home to a rather unusual formation of arches designed so as to look like trees, once inside you’ll find a quiet place to sit and contemplate, away from the hustle and bustle of the rest of the arrondissement. When visiting, be sure to stay as quiet as possible. It is a place of worship, after all!

Books spill out onto the street and the smell of freshly brewed coffee is ever-wafting down Rue Parchemenerie, the pretty Latin Quarter street where the Abbey Bookshop can be found.

Established several decades ago by Canadian Brian Spence, the store now counts some 35,000 titles among its offerings. At other times of the year, the Abbey Bookshop also offers book signings and talks, meaning that it’s always an exciting place to stop by if you’re in the area.

Of all the museums in Paris, none is so enthralling for a Classical History buff as that of the Musée de Cluny. Located between the intersection of what were once the two main streets in Roman Paris, the Cluny Museum offers both the chance to see what life may have been like during the Middle Ages, and also a glimpse of the former Roman bath houses. Nearby, several important Roman locations can be found. For more information, check out my guide to Roman Paris.

Paris is home to some of the most prestigious universities in the world. With this being said, no architecture of any university in France is perhaps as famous or as iconic as that of the Sorbonne University. Once known as the Sorbonne IV, the college takes its name from the Collège de Sorbonne which was founded as early as the 13th-century.

If you’re thirsty en-route to the other locations on this Latin Quarter tour or simply want to purchase a coffee or glass of wine, then I recommend sitting in one of the cafés at Place de la Sorbonne and simply watching the world go by. Want to know more about café culture in Paris? Here’s my guide to the art of ordering coffee in Paris.

Thought that Rome was the only place to have its own Pantheon? Think again. Sitting in pride of place and overlooking the rest of the city, as well as the ever-so-pretty Jardin du Luxembourg, the Paris Pantheon was originally constructed to serve as a place in which to house the relics of Saint Genevieve.

However, over time that purpose changed and now one of the greatest honours that a French citizen can be bestowed is to be interred in the Pantheon. Now, you can not only visit the final resting place of the likes of Voltaire and Marie Curie, but you can also pay to go up the Pantheon’s dome and enjoy one of the best panoramic views of Paris.

In a kind of returning to the source of sorts, this Latin Quarter walking tour ends where the Patron Saint of Paris now finds her final resting place. Lying in the shadows of the iconic Paris Pantheon, this beautiful church contains the shrine of Saint Genevieve, patron saint of Paris, as well as several architectural features of note.

Free to visit, once inside the  Paroisse Saint-Étienne-du-Mont , be sure not to miss the rood screen. Intricately carved, it dates all the way back to the 16th-century and is the last of its kind in Paris. Wait for one of the guided tours, and you can peek behind the scenes at some truly astonishing stained glass windows.

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Self Guided Walking Tours of Paris

In this post, you will find a free, self-guided walking tour of the historic heart of Paris, along with a map and a GPS-enabled audio option.

The route includes many locations we cover in our free guided walking tours, so we offer you lots of information based on our knowledge of the history of what you will be seeing in this self-guided tour.

This tour starts on the Left Bank in the Latin Quarter before exploring Île de la Cité and ends at the Louvre Museum.

When you are done with this self-guided tour, why not try our others?

• Right Bank Landmarks
• Latin Quarter
• Père Lachaise Cemetery

Like this one, they come with maps, routes, and in some cases, audio tour versions.

You can use these to discover the city at your own pace or as a preview of what you will see on a live-guided tour, like our free walking tours of Paris .

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SELF-GUIDED TOUR - HEART OF PARIS

The tour starts on the Left Bank in the Latin Quarter, passes through Île de la Cité and ends at the Louvre Museum.

The route is a little less than 3 kilometers (just under 2 miles).

If you'd like to enhance your experience, you might like to use our accompanying GPS-led audio tour , developed and narrated by one of our local tour guides, Andrew.

The audio tour is a more detailed version of the written information below. It costs just 2.99€ per download.

Here is a sample of the tour.

Click on the map to expand or to download it to your phone.

For directions between stops, use the map above or download a PDF version of this tour.

1. Place Saint-Michel

Place Saint-Michel is simple – a triangle between two streets, uniform buildings along both, designed by the same architect, a walk of smooth cobblestone.

The centerpiece is St. Michael defeating a devil; far above them are four statues symbolizing the four cardinal virtues of prudence, fortitude, temperance, and justice.

This monument came to be because of the 1848 Revolution and a cholera epidemic in Paris that followed it which killed thousands.

This idea of abstract concepts given human form had been popular during the Revolution, the big one, representing the kind of big virtues – like the Four Cardinal Virtues – that everyone could strive for, instead of a single human being whose actions and legacy would turn people against each other.

Simultaneous with the creation of Place Saint-Michel, Napoleon III’s renovation brought the Boulevard Saint-Michel into being, and that is the next part of the walk.

2. Boulevard Saint-Michel

The character of the street you’re on – wide-open space lined with trees and long, harmonious buildings, plus, often, a view of some landmark in the distance – was a central part of the renovation plan, or the Haussmann plan, as it’s also known.

Georges-Eugène Hausmann was a Paris technocrat. Aside from health reasons, he also made the case to the parliament that wide streets would help prevent so many revolutions in the future.

Many buildings along this road are fine examples of the French 2nd Empire style.

On the left side of the street, just after Boulinier, a used book store, you’ll see the ruins of ancient Roman-style baths.

This is a preview of the Cluny Museum, which you’ll see from the front soon.

3. The Sorbonne

The Sorbonne, or the University of Paris, has been here since 1150, making it the second oldest university in Europe.

It’s the place where some of the fundamentals of today’s education system – things like doctoral degrees – were first put into practice.

The Sorbonne helped put Paris, and the Latin Quarter, on the map. 

It’s hard to overstate how many big names are connected with this institution, then and since.

Among them are churchmen John Calvin and Thomas Aquinas, scientists Marie and Pierre Curie, writers Voltaire, Balzac, Jean-Paul Sartre, T.S. Eliot, Elie Wiesel, Susan Sontag and so many more.

4. Cluny Museum

This is the Cluny Museum, formerly the Cluny Mansion. The name comes from the Cluny monks to whom it belonged and they were named for the city where they were based.

In 1340, they obtained what was left of the thermal baths you saw earlier and built this structure beside them.

Today, it’s France’s National Museum of the Middle Ages. It’s more an art museum than a history museum, with excellent exhibits on tapestries and stained glass.

Apart from those, the museum also has early medieval art from before the Gothic era – the style called Romanesque – medieval work from the Islamic world and the Byzantine Empire, and some other late, near-Renaissance pieces from the era of the tapestries.

There are also some much older artifacts in that oldest part of the property, the Roman baths. 

It’s open every day but Tuesday from 9:15 am to 5:45 pm. Regular tickets are 5 Euros, sometimes more if there’s a special exhibit going on ( more info ).

However, it’s free for teenagers, EU citizens under 26, and, on the first Sunday of each month, for everyone. It’s also free with a Paris Museum Pass .

5. The Church of Saint-Severin

Pause here for a moment to take in the atmosphere of the medieval city.

Saint-Severin is a 13th-century church, and the Rue Saint-Severin, the road just past it, is from that same era.

Look down to the left and you can imagine the crowdedness of these roads, shared by carts. pedestrians and animals and whatever was thrown from upper windows.

And you can imagine how easy it would be to improvise a barricade across one of these streets if you wanted to.

6. Church of Saint-Julien-le-Pauve

The Church of Saint-Julien-le-Pauve, or St. Julian the Poor, began construction in the 12th century, around the same time as Notre-Dame, and steady changes since have made it a mash-up of styles.

But it started Romanesque, the early medieval style that preceded Gothic, and you can see the heaviness of that style, compared to which Gothic would have seemed so revolutionary.

While it was originally a Roman Catholic church, today it’s used by Melkite Greek Catholics, who are part of an Eastern Catholic community, based in the Middle East.

The square is called the Square Rene Viviani, mostly known for its view of Notre-Dame.

The grounds are littered with big pieces of limestone – in the 19th century when Notre-Dame was renovated and also contains a locust tree believed to be the oldest tree in Paris, about 400 years old.

7. Shakespeare and Company Bookstore

This is the second of two bookstores called Shakespeare and Company, the other stood just southwest of here, and both focused on English language books. 

An American named Sylvia Beach opened it, and as both a bookstore and a lending library, it came to be the haunt of writers and artists, including Gertrude Stein, Ernest Hemingway, and Pablo Picasso.

The bookstore provided more than just a place for future artistic celebrities to meet; it also stocked and eventually published books that were banned back home, including James Joyce’s novel Ulysses.

This Shakespeare and Company was founded by George Whitman, who offered lodging to writers in exchange for volunteer work, and if you step inside, you’ll see some of their beds.

8. Left Bank - Pont au Double

On the quays along the banks of the Seine, Shakespeare and Company has plenty of competition in the bookselling business: bouquinistes , the booksellers who set up shop in little stalls along the river. 

From around the bridge, you can get a few important views. First is the Seine itself. The name Seine comes from Sequana, the name of an ancient river goddess. 

The river is the reason for human interest in this site going back millennia, and the Île de la Cité offered a relatively easy crossing, as well as an opportunity to build low bridges and control traffic up and down the river. 

On the opposite side of the water from here is the Île de la Cité. From here you can see the big picture of the island. 

On the west end, to your left, is the Palais de la Justice, the former site of the royal palace and still home to parts of the French government. 

On the east side, to the right, has been religious turf for even longer – Notre-Dame has stood here since 1163.

Before, there was another Christian cathedral that was likely a Roman temple, and those were sometimes built on sacred sites that were older still. 

Nowadays, there’s not much on the island besides that; Haussmann eliminated most of the residences here.

9. Notre-Dame (Exterior)

This cathedral was started in the 1100s and enhanced with some of its flashiest elements over the next few centuries.

You can see one of those additions: the flying buttresses, those gracefully curved stone supports arrayed along the side of the building. 

The cathedral has 2 beautiful rose windows, both designed in the 13th century, but they were recreated in the 19th century, and they weren’t the only parts of the cathedral added so recently. 

The same is true of much of the stained glass, the spire (now destroyed by the fire), all the gargoyles, and the heads of statues on the western side. 

To help fund that restoration, Victor Hugo penned his novel Notre-Dame de Paris, known in English as The Hunchback of Notre-Dame . 

Looking at the cathedral from the front, you can see an overwhelming number of sculptures and reliefs.

For a time when most attendees were illiterate and didn’t understand the Latin language in which the sermons were given, the church façade itself was the illustrated version of the Bible. 

Over the main western doors, on what’s called the tympanum, is a relief of Judgement Day, with the separation of souls bound for eternal paradise or eternal torment. 

To the left, over the Portal of the Virgin, is a statue of Saint-Denis, who would have needed no introduction for most attendees.

He was beheaded by the Romans for the threat he posed to other religions. 

Now, he’s a patron saint of Paris and he’s also known across the Catholic world as someone to pray for relief from headaches.

In April 2019, a fire led to the collapse of much of the roof and a spire, plus collateral damage from impact, smoke, and water to much of the rest of the building and the artwork inside.

Hundreds of firefighters contained the disaster and kept it from doing more harm. 

The archaeological crypt under the parvis is now open and contains remains of the Roman city, plus models of what Notre-Dame looked like at the various phases of its life.

Tickets are 9€ or for free with a Paris Museum Pass .

Notre-Dame Cathedral's reopening is scheduled for December 8, 2024.

10. Rue de Lutece

Straight ahead, you can see the Palais de la Justice, the next stop.

To your right is the Marché aux Fleurs Reine Elizabeth II, a beautiful, 200-year-old outdoor flower and plant market, operating daily from 9:30 - 19:00 (7 pm).

Lutèce is the French variation of “Lutetia” the ancient Roman name for Paris. The full name was Lutetia Parisiorum – Lutetia of the Parisii. 

The Parisii were the tribe that lived in this area before the Roman conquest, and as you may have guessed, they give the city its modern name.

Though we refer to Roman in this tour, it is Gallo-Roman, to be exact.

The region’s population was the Gauls, a Celtic people, and while they were conquered by the Romans, local culture in the early centuries CE was a fusion of both. 

There’s a limited understanding of the geography of ancient life here – the ancient Gallic city was probably out west in today’s suburbs, and the Roman city, originally on the Left Bank, moved onto the island in the third century to be more easily defended. 

At the end of Rue de Lutèce is Boulevard du Palais, with the massive palace complex on the opposite side of the street.

11. Palais De Justice and Sainte-Chapelle

Altogether, what you see here is the Palais de la Cité. The site has served state functions as far back as being the home of Roman governors in the early years CE.

As for French kings, it was the royal palace until the 14th century, when it moved to various locations across the Seine on the Right Bank, including the Louvre. 

From here you can see Sainte-Chapelle or the Sacred Chapel, easily identified by the tall steeple on the left side of the complex.

As for going inside Sainte-Chapelle, the wait can be long, but you’ll see some of the world’s most impressive stained glass. 

The upper chapel, up a narrow spiral staircase from the entrance and once only accessible by the king and his family, is surrounded by windows, and comprehensive cleaning and restoration completed in 2014 have them in ideal form. 

The lower chapel, the portion originally made for the general population of the palace, has a highly decorated Gothic vaulted ceiling. 

Sainte-Chapelle 's hours are:

• April 1st to September 30th, 9:00 - 19:00 (7 pm)
• October 1st to March 31, 9:00 - 17:00 (5 pm)

Tickets are 13€ per person over 18 years of age; under 18 years old have free admission.

You can also be admitted for free with a Paris Museum Pass .

You can also get a combination ticket with our next stop, La Conciergerie, for 20€, but it’s only available from the La Conciergerie ticket desk; you won’t find it online.

12. La Conciergerie

La Conciergerie is famous as the last residence of Queen Marie Antoinette before she was executed early in the French Revolution. It was also a prison before and after her time. 

La Conciergerie

The royal palace had moved to new locations across the Seine in the 14th century. But some state functions stayed behind here, including part of the French court system. 

In the absence of the king himself, the place was run by a surrogate – a concierge – giving this building its name.

While the Revolution began with the liberation of a prison, the Bastille, it soon took over the palace and found uses for everything there. 

Sainte-Chapelle became storage, the space where the parliament of nobles met became the home of the assembly and the Revolutionary Tribunal, and the prison became... the prison. 

The royalty and their supporters, and eventually all kinds of perceived enemies, were imprisoned, tried, and executed, close to 3,000 of them in this building alone.

The Cell of Marie-Antoinette

In terms of the interior, La Conciergerie is a stark, simple building compared to Sainte-Chapelle, although still majestically Gothic.

Some spaces are set up as they would have looked during the Revolution, including the cell of Marie-Antoinette, which is now a chapel dedicated to her.

Hours : 

• 9:30 - 18:00 (6 pm). Last entry at 17:30 (5:30 pm)
• Early closure on December 24 and January 1 at 17:00 (5 pm)

Lastly, you can purchase a combination ticket that includes La Conciergerie and Sainte-Chapelle for 20€, available from the La Conciergerie ticket desk; you won’t find it online.

There are guided tours (at an additional cost) every day at 11:00 and 15:00 (3 pm) and virtual reality 'histo-pads' available for rental at a modest price. 

At the end of the block, on the corner of the palace, is the first of the palace’s four towers, Tour de l’Horloge.

13. Tour de L'Horloge

Tour de l’Horloge means clock tower, and the clock is hard to miss!

This was the first public clock in Paris, installed in the 14th century, although the decorated face you see now came along a couple of hundred years later and has been restored a few times since. 

The figures on either side are personifications of law and justice – you may be able to see the plaque on the left and the scales on the right. 

The clock face is covered by a small roof.

If you have especially sharp eyes and you look straight up at the underside of that roof, you can see a repeating pattern of intertwined letters: sometimes H and C, for King Henri II and his queen, Catherine de Medici, and sometimes H and M, for King Henri IV and his queen, Marguerite de Valois.

14-15. Place Dauphine

Place Dauphine is another city square, a triangle really; the rows of buildings that border it on the north and south sides slowly converge, leading to the edge of the island. 

Make your way gradually through to that point.

King Henri IV had a son, who would eventually become King Louis XIII, but until he took the throne, he was the Dauphin, or the crown prince. 

Dauphin also means dolphin; a couple of them are featured on the French coat of arms. 

Anyway, during his son’s boyhood, Henri IV converted a private palace garden into a public square and called it Place Dauphine, or Crown Prince Square. 

The buildings have mostly been redone since then; you can get a feel for the original square at the other end, the last buildings where the two sides converge to frame a statue of Henri IV.

16. Pont Neuf

The space where Henri stands is called the Square du Vert Galant, and it’s a relatively new piece of land.

River islands like Île de la Cité naturally build up this way on their downstream side. 

The New Bridge, when it was new at the start of the 1600s, just touched the tip of the island. 

Today, Pont Neuf is the oldest bridge still running across the Seine, and the others have followed its lead.

This one was specifically designed not to have houses on it, so as to offer a view of the Louvre, which is where we’re going next.

17. Quai du Louvre

First, the sights on the Left Bank. 

Directly across the Pont Neuf you can see the Monnaie de Paris, France’s mint, operating for more than a millennium and still producing Euros today.

The building includes a museum on the history of the institution itself and on other money-related matters.

Next to it, you’ll see a wide building with a dome in the middle, the Institut de France.

Founded as a school, this is the home to intellectual institutions like the Académie Française. 

The Academy does many things, including giving life-changing monetary prizes to artists, but it’s best known for promoting a stiff view of what constitutes correct French. 

Crossing the river in front of the Institut de France is another bridge, the Pont des Arts or Bridge of the Arts, named to match with the Louvre, the Palais des Arts or Palace of the Arts.

It’s a pedestrian-only metal bridge commissioned by Napoleon, and the view it offers makes it a popular spot for artists or just souvenir photographers.

There’s a tradition – purely touristic – of attaching locks to the bridge; you’ll endear yourself to Parisians if you decide not to do this.

18. Louvre Museum and Tuileries Gardens

The Louvre used to be a royal palace, and it’s easy to tell. (See our in-depth post on how to visit the Louvre Museum ).

The Louvre remained private after the royalty moved out, and it housed a private collection of art until the Revolution, at which point, in 1793, it was opened to the public.

The open space to the west of the Louvre, centered on a large sculpted hedge, is the Place du Carrousel, and it used to be the location of another royal palace – the Tuileries Palace, destroyed in the late 19th century.

It left behind the arch opposite the Louvre – the Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel, built to celebrate the military victories of Napoleon and to welcome arrivals to that palace. 

Beyond it are a couple of stairways, leading down into the former location of the moat, which contains some sculptures from the old palace. 

And beyond that is the Tuileries Gardens. At one time an exclusive royal garden, this too became public during the Revolution, and it’s another option for the next part of your adventure.

The gardens have a lot to see – it’s a sculpture garden with about 200 pieces, including several by famous French sculptor Auguste Rodin.

The gardens are bigger than the Louvre, so you could easily find yourself walking further in this park than you have through this entire tour so far!

Luckily, there are a couple of cafes around the middle if you need somewhere to rest.

It’s free to enter the gardens and is open every day, with hours changing seasonally.

• January through December 7:30 - 19:30 (7:30 pm)
• June, July and August 7:00 - 23:00 (11:00 pm)
• April, May and September 7:00 - 21:00 (9:00 pm)

At the far end of the gardens is the Jeu de Paume , a contemporary art museum and L'Orangerie museum dedicated to impressionist and post-impressionist paintings.

This magnicient museum is a must-visit in Paris. It's open 9:00 - 18:00 (6 pm) daily, except Tuesdays. Tickets are 12,50€ or free with a Paris Museum Pass .

Beyond these museums are Place de la Concorde and the Champs Élysées, included in our self-guided tour of Paris' Right Bank !

For more ideas in Paris, including things to do in the Latin Quarter, Marais, and Montmartre , check out our website, linked in the notes.

And look for our articles and audio tours about lots of other cities - you’ll find links in the notes for those, too. 

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Visit Latin quarter

What to visit in the latin quarter of paris .

The Latin Quarter of Paris is one of the oldest in the capital. A stroll through this district will take you to discover its gardens, monuments, museums and Roman remains . On the left bank of the Seine, the Latin Quarter owes its name to the large number of schools that were set up there and that once offered Latin courses. Whether you are a Parisian or a visitor to the City of Light, take a tour of the Latin Quarter in the 5th arrondissement of Paris.

Must sees in the Latin Quarter

By opting for a guided tour in Paris , you will set out to discover the emblematic districts of the City of Light. Your visit of the Latin Quarter of Paris will lead you from flowery square to monuments, from square to religious monuments and from charming streets to museums to discover the historical heritage of Paris. Discover the exceptional sites not to be missed:

• The Fontaine Saint Michel 

At the corner of Boulevard Saint Michel and Rue Saint André des Arts, the Place Saint Michel is a must-see in the Latin Quarter. It stands out in the landscape thanks to its monumental fountain representing the Archangel Michael overcoming evil. Throughout the year, the square hosts concerts and dance performances. 

• The Rue de la Huchette

A picturesque pedestrian street, the Rue de la Huchette is ideal for a stroll between the cafés, restaurants and shops that line it. It is also on this street that you can see the Théâtre de la Huchette where Eugène Ionesco’s most famous plays were performed. Continuing your walk, you can also stroll along the rue Saint André des Arts or the rue Mouffetard. 

• The Church of Saint Séverin

Dating back to the 15th century, the church of Saint Séverin has a gothic architecture. Inside, discover the twisted columns and the incredible stained glass windows that decorate it. The church houses the oldest bell in Paris. On your way out, you can easily reach the quai de Seine and the Petit Pont.   

• The Cluny Museum

The Cluny Museum, a museum of the medieval world housed in the Hôtel de Cluny, contains genuine relics from this period: the tapestry of The Lady with the Unicorn, the stained-glass window of The Chess Players, etc. You can also discover ancient baths from the Roman period. 

• The Sorbonne

Walking through the streets of the Latin Quarter, you can admire the Sorbonne University. Built in 1253 as a theological college, it was topped by a dome and an adjoining church over the centuries. Today, the Sorbonne is one of the capital’s main universities and is admired for its impressive architecture. 

• The Panthéon 

You can also go to the Panthéon, on the Sainte-Geneviève mountain opposite the Luxembourg Garden, where personalities who have marked the history of France such as Victor Hugo, Pierre and Marie Curie or Voltaire rest in peace. Visit the monument for its mural frescoes, its Foucault pendulum and its necropolis of the Great Men. 

• The Grande Mosque of Paris

Admire the Great Mosque of Paris with its 33-metre high minaret. Its patio, inspired by that of the Alhambra in Granada, welcomes visitors with a tea room and hammam. If you wish to discover the interior, you can be accompanied by a guide who will explain all the subtleties of the architecture.

• The Jardin des plantes

Take a relaxing break at the Jardin des Plantes de Paris, which covers almost 24 hectares, near the Lutetia Arena. Enjoy a walk among the trees and flowers that make up the garden created in 1635 by Louis XIII. You can also visit the Grandes Serres, which is home to lush vegetation. 

• The National Museum of Natural History

In the heart of the Jardin des Plantes, enter the National Museum of Natural History which offers a rich collection to be discovered in the different galleries: the Grand Gallery of Evolution, the Gallery of Paleontology and Comparative Anatomy, the Gallery of Mineralogy and Geology.

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Self Guided Latin Quarter Audio Tour in Paris provided by TouringBee - Paris

Travel Guide

• Things to Do
• Best Hotels
• Things to See
• Best Restaurants
• Best Nightlife
• Planning a Trip
• Walking Tour: Montmartre
• Walking Tour: The Marais

Walking Tour: The Latin Quarter

• Active Pursuits
• Spectator Sports
• Suggested Itineraries
• Traveler's Guide to Art & Architecture

Start : Boulevard St-Michel (Métro: Cluny).

Finish : St-Étienne-du-Mont (nearest Métro: Cardinal Lemoine).

Time : 1 1/2 hours (not including stops). The distance is about 2km (1 1/4 miles).

Best Time: Monday to Saturday from 11am to 11pm.

Worst Time : Sunday morning, when everybody else is asleep.

One of the oldest areas of Paris, the 5th arrondissement was the heart of Roman Paris during the Roman occupation of France (from the 1st c. B.C. to the 5th c. A.D.). You can still see traces of this period as you walk around. It became known as the Latin Quarter during the Middle Ages, when most of its residents were either students or clergymen who spoke Latin. Long associated with education and learning, it is here that you'll find the most famous branch of the Université de Paris, the Sorbonne, and the prestigious Collège de France. However, the revolutionary days of May '68 are long gone, and although the 5th has retained a certain degree of youthful charm and romance, parts of it have become very touristy.

1. Boulevard St-Michel

Nicknamed Boul' Mich by locals, this is the main street of the Latin Quarter. Opened in 1855, Boulevard St-Michel was one of the first boulevards to be built under Baron Haussmann, the man responsible for the modernization and redevelopment of Paris in the 19th century. Haussmann wanted the city to be organized around a huge central crossroads, called la grande croisée, at the center of which was Place du Châtelet. The Rue de Rivoli was the east-west axis, Boulevard Sebastopol the northern axis, and Boulevard St-Michel achieved the southern leg. Just over a century later, the student uprisings of May '68 began here. The Latin Quarter was suddenly full of would-be revolutionaries, and residents witnessed violent clashes between protesters and police.

At the junction of Boulevard St-Michel and Boulevard St-Germain, head north until you reach:

2. Place St-Michel

At the center of the Place St-Michel is the huge fountain built by Gabriel Davioud in 1860, featuring a sculpture of Saint Michel slaying the dragon. This was the scene of frequent skirmishes between the Germans and the Resistance in the summer of 1944, and there is a plaque dedicated to those who fought here in front of the fountain. This is a popular meeting place, and the square is often full of amateur break-dancers and street performers.

Cross Boulevard St-Michel and go down:

3. Rue de la Huchette

This street is now one of the most touristy streets in Paris, and you should avoid the fast food and Greek-style restaurants down here. However, walking along this narrow street will give you an idea of what Paris looked like during the Middle Ages, when most Parisian streets were between 2 and 5m (6 1/2-16 ft.) wide. Few streets like this one remain. At no. 23 is the tiny Théâtre de la Huchette, which is famous for having shown Eugene Ionesco's absurdist double bill of The Lesson and The Bald Soprano continuously since 1957. At no. 5 is the legendary jazz club Caveau de la Huchette. Established in 1946, this was the first club in Paris where jazz was played, and jazz legends such as Sidney Bechet and Lionel Hampton have played here.

Before you reach No. 5, branching off Rue de la Huchette to your left is:

4. Rue du Chat-Qui-Pêche

This tiny alleyway is said to be the narrowest street in Paris, and also dates back to the Middle Ages. Before the quai was built, the Seine sometimes flooded the cellars of the houses, and legend has it that an enterprising cat took advantage of its good fortune and went fishing in the confines of the cellars -- hence the street's name, which means "Street of the Cat Who Fishes."

At the end of Rue de la Huchette, turn right up Rue du Petit Pont and continue to:

5. St-Séverin

Named after a 6th-century hermit, St-Séverin was built from 1210 to 1230 and reconstructed in 1448. Before entering, walk around the church to examine the gargoyles, birds of prey, and reptilian monsters projecting from its roof. These features explain why this church is an example of Flamboyant Gothic architecture. The bell tower is home to the oldest bell in Paris, which dates back to 1412, and next door is the city's only remaining charnel house, a place which houses the bones and bodies of the dead.

Where Rue du Petit Pont becomes Rue St-Jacques, cross over the street to Rue Galande and look back over your shoulder at the spires of St-Séverin. Then turn back to the small church in front of you:

6. St-Julien-le-Pauvre

A chapel has stood on this spot since the 6th century, but the current church dates back to the 12th century. It's now owned by the followers of the Melchite Greek rite, a branch of the Byzantine church. St-Julien-le-Pauvre is known for putting on great classical concerts -- if you're interested, there are posters near the door. The garden in front of the church has the best view of Notre-Dame and is home to the oldest tree in Paris; it's an acacia tree that was brought to Paris from Guyana in 1680 (it's fenced off and supported).

Continue along Rue Galande and turn left down Rue du Fouarre to:

7. La Fourmi Ailée

At no. 8 Rue du Fouarre is La Fourmi Ailée (tel. 01-43-29-40-99 ), a  restaurant and tea room. With clouds painted on the ceiling and books lining the walls, it's a calming place and while we wouldn't go out of our way to dine here usually, it makes for a good rest break on this tour. Open daily noon to midnight.

As you leave the cafe, backtrack along Rue du Fouarre, which turns into Rue Danté. At the junction, turn right onto Boulevard St Germain. Turn left on Rue de Cluny until you come to Place Paul Painlevé.

8. Musée de Cluny

Even if you're not particularly interested in medieval history and the origins of Paris, it's worth dropping into the Musée de Cluny to see the allegorical The Lady and the Unicorn tapestries and the remains of the Roman baths.

With the museum behind you, cross the square to Rue des Écoles, where you'll see the main entrance to the Sorbonne. Don't forget to look back and admire the Musée de Cluny from afar.

9. Sorbonne

One of the most famous academic institutions in the world, the Sorbonne was founded in 1253 by Robert de Sorbon, St. Louis's confessor, as a theology college. By the next century it had become the most prestigious university in the West, attracting such professors as Thomas Aquinas and Roger Bacon, and such students as Dante, Calvin, and Longfellow. Following May 1968, when the Sorbonne was occupied by rebellious students, the University of Paris was split up into different faculties located in different parts of Paris. The current building dates from the early 1900s, and if you look at the side of the building on Rue St-Jacques, you can see the names of the different academic subjects inscribed above the windows.

From Rue des Écoles, turn right up Rue St-Jacques. When you reach Rue Soufflot, turn left. At the street's end is Place du Panthéon:

10. Panthéon

Sitting atop Mont St-Geneviève, this former church is now a nonreligious mausoleum, and the final resting place of such distinguished figures as Hugo, Zola, Rousseau, Voltaire, Curie.

Facing the Panthéon, walk around the left-hand side of the building until you come to Place Ste-Geneviève. In front of you is:

11. St-Étienne-du-Mont

This church is home to a very elaborate shrine dedicated to Saint Geneviève, one of Paris's two patron saints. In 451, Attila the Hun was threatening to enter Paris. The city's elders advised people to flee, but a young woman named Geneviève encouraged them to remain and fight. Miraculously, Attila chose not to come to Paris and Geneviève was credited with saving the city. This church also contains Paris's only rood screen (a fancy wooden screen that divides the chancel and the nave). The church itself was built between 1492 and 1626, and is thus a curious mix of Gothic and Renaissance architecture.

To get to Métro Cardinal Lemoine, go past the church along Rue Clovis and turn left onto Rue du Cardinal Lemoine.

Note : This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.

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Travel by Wandering

Notre-Dame and its Neighbor

A Self-Guided Walking Tour of Paris

UPDATE: NOTRE-DAME CATHEDRAL FIRE

On April 15th, 2019, a massive fire nearly destroyed the 850-year old Gothic masterpiece of Notre-Dame Cathedral. Thanks to the brave firefighters of Paris, the main structure and two iconic bell towers were saved, along with many of the cathedral’s artwork and artifacts. Plans are underway to restore the cathedral as it was before the fire. While the site is currently inaccessible, the public plaza is now open. Check the latest news about visiting on the Cathedral website .

“ May this tragedy allow our country to find a happy unity so that we can build together what is written on the pediment of our public buildings: fraternity. ”

THE VIBRANT LATIN QUARTER

Compass & Key has paired the lively Latin Quarter with the nearby icon of Paris, Notre-Dame Cathedral, on this self-guided walking tour. Explore Roman ruins, enjoy traditional French cuisine, and relax in one of the most beautiful parks in Paris. This itinerary for wandering has changed only slightly since the Notre-Dame fire in April 2019, as all visitors should take time to admire the gothic exterior and marvel at its history.

Covering the 5th and part of the 6th arrondissements on the Left Bank, the Latin Quarter enjoys a youthful exuberance with its large student population, many attending the prestigious Sorbonne, founded in 1253. The oldest district in Paris showcases the best of the city, with delightful cafés, beautiful shops, and an array of historic landmarks.

Fun Fact : Latin was widely spoken in and around Universities until the 17th century, and given the concentration of schools in this area, the Latin Quarter got its name.

Time : 1/2 day to full day

Entry Fees : Musée de Cluny and the Institut du Monde Arabe are included in the Paris Museum Pass, or cost €8 each without a pass

Starting point : Marché Maubert;  Metro : Maubert–Mutualité

Wandering Paris: A Free Self-Guided Tour

Notre-dame and the latin quarter.

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CURRENT WEATHER IN PARIS

Guides on the go.

Take this Compass & Key walking tour with you by following @compassandkey on Mapstr , an app that lets you create a personal map with all of your favorite places, anywhere in the world. Learn more in our Mapstr review .

What other sites do you love to visit in the Latin Quarter? Please share your experiences in the comments below.

Compass & Key is proud to be an independent online travel resource. All photography by Pradeep and Tara Anbudaiyan unless otherwise noted. Attraction, hotel and restaurant prices and hours are as current as possible, but please re-confirm before finalizing travel plans. Find our privacy and cookie policies and terms of service here . And bravo to you for reading the fine print.

Walking in Paris — 5 perfect walks through Paris with maps

By: Author Emily

Posted on Last updated: November 27, 2023

The quaint cobblestone streets, winding alleys and Haussman buildings — the ones with the stone facades and wrought iron railings — that you picture when you think of a Paris postcard are all very much real. Walking through Paris is definitely the best way to explore those scenes.

While Paris is incredibly walkable,  it’s also quite big. To help narrow the scope, we’ve put put together a few walking routes that will guide you through some of the best parts of Paris. In this guide, we’ll explore Paris on foot with the help of five detailed maps.

These walking routes are designed with first-time visitors it mind. They offer a self-guided walking tour through some of the most beautiful neighborhoods, most popular tourist attractions and most charming streets in Paris.

Wander … but within reason

The French have a term — Flâner — which means to wander aimlessly through a city. There’s no similar word in English, and I would argue that’s because we’re bad at it. And by “we,” I guess I mean Americans.

I recently moved to New York and there is no wandering here. Even in Central Park, everyone has somewhere to be. And they’re not just trying to get there , they’re usually working out the next five places they need to be, too.

Neither is inherently better. Simply a difference in speed and lifestyles from two sides of the pond.

But what happens when a New Yorker goes to Paris and all the tips say to wander aimlessly but their Type A brain simply cannot do that? What about the people who want to wander, but within reason?

Enter this post. We’re here for the people who need a little direction more than “Just explore!”

On these maps, we’ve plotted the city’s top attractions, noted some of the most beautiful streets and flagged our favorite stops along the way. But from there, you can amble through nearby alleys, pop into hidden cafes and discover your own favorite spots to really make the journey your own.

We’ve drawn the box but you can color inside and outside the lines however you choose.

Paris walking routes explored in this post

• Arc de Triomphe to Pont de Arts — A must-do for first time visitors
• Latin Quarter & the isles — A balance of city energy and quiet streets
• Le Marais — A trendy neighborhood in a historic setting
• Montmartre — A beloved and beautiful art district on a hill with great views
• Eiffel Tower & the Seine — A charming walk through a Paris postcard

Arc de Triomphe to Pont de Arts Walking Guide

This is my favorite way to start a trip to Paris. Whether this is your first time in Paris or you’re a repeat visitor, this walk is a great way see many of Paris’ iconic sights in one long stretch. It features the city’s most famous boulevard, a beautiful park, iconic views and shopping galore.

This walking route in full is about 3 miles. If you were walking straight through, it would take about an hour. We don’t recommend that, though. There are so many things you can see and do along this walk that you could easily fill an entire day if you wanted.

Arc de Triomphe

Champs-élysées.

• Tuileries Gardens
• Pont de Arts

A few quick tips for using this map.

• To view the map in Google Maps, click the expand icon on the top right corner.
• Click the star icon to save the map to your Google account for later.
• To access the map next time, open Google Maps > click the Saved tab > click Maps.

Tips for this walk

• Don’t start too early. Most of the stores at the start of this walk don’t open until 10 or 11 AM. Take some time to enjoy breakfast and coffee before you head out for the day.
• Book tickets in advance. If you want to visit the top of the Arc de Triomphe or go inside the Louvre , it’s best to book a timed ticket in advance. Popular dates and times can book up days in advance.
• The Louvre deserves an entire day . That said, if you’d like to go inside the Louvre we’d recommend doing it on a different day and arrive when they open if possible. It’s a huge museum and it gets very crowded, especially in the afternoon. On this walk, we recommend just stopping by the pyramid and maybe the shops below.
• Eat along the way. There are plenty of cafes and street food vendors along this route. I don’t specifically call out many throughout this post because there are options everywhere. I’d personally recommend picking up small bites everytime you pass something yummy, like a crepe from a street vendor in Champs-Élysées Gardens, an appetizer at a bar off Saint-Honoré and ice cream in Tuileries Garden.

The view from the top of the Arc de Triomphe

Self-guided walk from Arc de Triomphe to Pont de Arts

This walk begins at Arc de Triomphe. The best way to get there will usually be by train, but it may vary based on your exact hotel location. The nearest Metro strops are Kléber station which serves the 6 train and  George V or Argentine which serves the 1 train.

Arc de Triomphe is located in the center of a busy traffic circle. Do not attempt to walk to the monument from street level. There is a pedestrian tunnel with access points (marked in yellow below) on Champs-Élysées and Grande Armée streets that will lead you to the base of the Arc de Triomphe. This is where the entrance to the monument is located, but you can also visit the base at street level for free.

You can go inside and to the top of the Arc de Triomphe. Timed entry tickets are required and cost €13 for adults. Everyone under 18 is free. The views from the top are incredible and it’s a great alternative to going to the top of the Eiffel Tower .

Even if you aren’t going inside the moment, it’s still worth seeing it from the street. The best views are on Champs-Élysées, which is convenient because that’s where we’re heading next.

One of the most famous, most filmed and most beautiful streets in Paris is Champs-Élysées. It’s akin to Michigan Avenue in Chicago, Oxford Street in London and Fifth Avenue in New York.

The street is lined with trees, which are stunning all the time but even more so in autumn and Christmastime. There’s tons of shops and stores, ranging from Zara to Louis Vuitton. Whether you’re shopping or window shopping, you are likely to be dazzled along the way.

Some of my favorite shops along Champs-Élysées are:

• Disney Store: They have always have a line up of Paris-specific Disney merchandise and lots of toys that kids will love to look at (and ask for).
• Galeries Lafayette: This is a great indoor mall to warm up in the winter or cool off in the summer.
• Nike House of Innovation: This store is a fusion of Nike Store and science museum. It’s a fun stop for the athlete and/or toddlers in your family.
• Ladurée : This pastry shop is famous for their macarons. They have many locations all over Paris (and the world). This location has a full sit-down restaurant (reservations recommended), but they also have a separate line to get treats to go.

Champs-Élysées Gardens

At the south-east end of Champs-Élysées, the shops give way to a garden. It’s lovely to walk thought, but it’s not the best for siting and staying awhile. (We’ve got an even more beautiful garden coming up in a bit.)

There are several theaters throughout the gardens. Along the way, you’ll also pass the Grand Palais and Petit Palais (museums) and Élysée Palace (official residence of the French president).

At the end of the garden you’ll run into Place de la Concorde. The plaza is basically a really busy traffic intersection with an Egyptian obelisk in the center. My recommendation? Skip it. Instead, turn left on Rue Royale and walk a block to Rue Saint-Honoré.

Rue Saint-Honoré

This street is your high-end fashion street. Designer brands like Hermès, Versace, Fendi and Christian Louboutin all have storefronts on Rue Saint-Honoré between Avenue de Marigny and where the street ends near the Louvre.

Even if $1,500 shoes are out of your budget, the window shopping alone is worth even a short stroll down this street. Plus, like I said, a detour down this street is better than crossing the traffic puzzle at Place de la Concorde.

If you’re looking to wander, this is a good area to do it. There are lots of side streets in this area that lead to unique shops, fancy hotels and swanky cafes and bars.

One of the most famous stops around here is Angelina, which is famous for their decadent hot chocolate. It’s a high-end, sit-down restaurant though, so dress accordingly. Because it’s so famous, reservations are recommend because they get very crowded. (Be sure to book early, too. They book up well over a month in advance.)

There’s also several places for fancy cocktails in cozy, immaculately decorated bars. Some of the most popular picks in the area are Bar Hemingway (inside the Ritz Paris), Bar 8 (inside the Mandarin Oriental) and Harry’s New York.

I buy designer things so infrequently that I take photos marking it as a life event

Tuileries Garden

After some shopping and maybe some light day-drinking, cut back to Tuileries Garden. This is one of the most beautiful gardens in Paris. If you were looking for a green space to relax, maybe have a picnic or let the kids play for a bit, this is the spot. (By the way, if you’re visiting Paris with kids be sure to check out this post for all our best tips.)

You don’t have to walk down every pathway in the park, but try a few different ones! You’ll find outdoor cafes, several ponds and fountains, and interesting sculptures. The grounds are immaculately landscaped with beautiful trees, flowers and bushes which really shine in the spring and fall. There’s also a great playground, which the kids will love.

At the southeastern end of the garden, you’ll run into what looks like the Arc de Triomphe. Don’t worry. You didn’t find a wormhole and travel back two miles to where you started your day. This is a second and slightly smaller monument called Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel, and it was designed at the same time as the Arc de Triomphe.

Louvre Museum

Just beyond Tuileries Gardens is the world famous Louvre art museum. The iconic glass pyramid is in an open plaza above the entrance to the museum. The plaza is a popular place for photos, souvenir shopping from street vendors, and just general relaxing with a view.

Below the plaza is Carrousel du Louvre, which is an indoor shopping mall with a food court. To get down there, look for one of the stairways around the edge of the plaza. A lot of people don’t know is that there’s also an inverted glass pyramid below ground, and this is where you’ll find it. Pretty cool!

Now, if you’re planning to visit the museum, you could certainly do that in the afternoon after making this walk. Alternatively, you could flip this walk and start at the Louvre and do the rest in reverse order. However, we don’t think it’s worth trying to smoosh the Louvre into an otherwise busy day.

The Louvre is gigantic and it’s hard to see everything even with a full day. If you want to go inside, we recommend getting the earliest entry time you can and spending a relaxing, long day there.

Pont des Arts

Exit the Louvre and head towards the Seine. Look for the Pont des Arts pedestrian bridge. It’s between Pont du Carrousel (a car traffic bridge) and Île de la Cité (an island in the middle of the river).

The bridge offers excellent views all around. You can see the Eiffel Tower in one direction and Pont Neuf on the either. There are benches along the way to relax after a long day.

If you’re heading home after Pont des Arts, the nearest Metro stop is Pont Neuf, which serves the 7 train.

View of Pont Neuf from Pont des Arts

Continue your Journey

• Peruse used books and art prints at the bouquinistes, the iconic green box stalls along the Seine
• Enjoy a meal or a coffee at a classic cafe in Saint Germain, maybe Café de Flore or Les Deux Magots
• Start your next walk through Latin Quarter & the isles

Latin Quarter & the isles Walking Tour

The Latin Quarter is one of the oldest neighborhoods in Paris, dating back more than 2,000 years. It has winding streets and tiny alleys that are filled with lively cafes, very old buildings and bookshops galore. It’s a mesh of tourist traps and authentic history, dotted with museums and gardens for good measure. The district is home to Sorbonne University, and the student population keeps the area young.

The isles refer to Île de la Cité and Île Saint-Louis, which are literal islands in the middle of the Siene. They comprise quaint shopping streets, famous churches and maybe the best ice cream in Paris. It’s a bit quieter than the banks on either side, but they’re delightful neighborhoods for a stroll.

This walk isn’t short and clocks in at just under 4 miles. But with breaks for meals and coffee along the way, it actually fills a day quite nicely.

• Shakespeare & Company

Île Saint-Louis

Rue Mouffetard

Luxembourg Gardens

As a reminder, here are some quick tips for using this map.

• Plan this walk on a Saturday . In order to feel the energy of this area, you want to visit when it’s got some life to it and that’s typically the weekend. The Rue Mouffetard market closes on Sunday afternoon, which is why we suggest Saturday specifically. Do note that many places are closed on Mondays.
• Bring cash (Euros) . Most restaurants and cafes in this area will take credit cards, but most street vendors don’t. Cash will be helpful for other odds and end purchases too, like renting a tiny sail boat to float around the pond in Luxembourg Gardens.
• The gardens are best in the summer. During the summer months, the gardens in Paris are alive . Not only are they the most beautiful during that time, but they’re also a social hub for tourists and locals alike. In the later fall and winter months, they can feel quite desolate.
• If you have little ones, split this walk over two days. This is a long walk and will wipe out most adults. I originally planned this walk with our toddler, but they totally crashed half way through. If you’re co-travellers have little legs, make this one a two-day journey.
• Skip Jardin des Plantes if you have to. If this walk is too long or you’re short on time and have to cut something, cut Jardin des Plantes. It’s out of the way and not a must see, so it’s a good way to shorten this day up a bit. That might mean skipping Rue Mouffetard, too.

Self-guided walk through Latin Quarter & the isles

This walk begins at at Pont Neuf, which is a famous bridge that passes through Île de la Cité. Ideally you would take the 7 train and get off at Pont Neuf. However, depending on where you’re staying, you could also take the 4 or 10 trains to Odéon. From there you could walk back to Pont Neuf or just skip the bridge and head straight to Fontaine Saint-Michel.

If you walked across Pont des Arts pedestrian bridge as part of the previous walking route, you’ll have already gotten a great view of Pont Neuf.

This stone bridge was first opened for use in 1604 and is the oldest bridge over the Seine that’s still in use today. There are 381 stone masks, or mascarons, carved into the bridge which represent mythical divinities. There’s also a large statue of Henry IV where the bridge crosses Île de la Cité.

After crossing the bridge to the Left Bank, walk along the south side of the Seine. Peek at the many bouquinistes, which are the little shop stalls in the green boxes. They sell art prints, books, little souvenirs and other odds and ends. It’s hard to believe something so cute and notoriously French actually exists in real life.

Fontaine Saint-Michel

In a couple blocks you’ll come to a second bridge, Pont Saint-Michel. Turn right (away from the Seine) and you’ll run into Fontaine Saint-Michele.

This is a stone fountain in a square, which was constructed in 1860. The square around it is often bustling with tourists passing through. There’s not much seating, so people will sit along the base of the fountain itself. You can usually see a street musician or dance troupe performing in front of it.

You don’t need to stay long here, but it’s a great entry point to the Latin Quarter.

Rue de la Huchette

Just across Boulevard Saint-Michele from the fountain is Rue de la Huchette. This two block street is one of the oldest in Paris. It’s famous for having the highest concentration of restaurants in the city — none of them particularly good.

The tiny pedestrian street is cramped with souvenir shops, pubs and creperies. Lining the street are many old buildings with their own stories to tell. One dates back to the 1600s. Another is said to have been a residence of Napoleon Bonaparte.

The street is very touristy, but that’s okay! Most people reading this are tourists and you shouldn’t feel bad about doing popular things. Get a Nutella crepe and let yourself go.

While you’re in this area, it’s a good time explore some of the side streets. I’d recommend popping south a few blocks to the The Abbey Bookshop.

Shakespeare and Company

Just past the end of Rue de la Huchette is Shakespeare and Company. The bookstore opened in 1951 and quickly became a literary beacon for English writers in Paris. Today, there’s often a line out the door to get into the cramped bookshop.

Fun story. The owner, inspired by his own experience with the kindness of strangers, always allowed creatives to sleep for free in the book shop. The invitation was open to writers, artists and other intellectuals, and there were three rules. Each guest had to read a book a day, help the shopkeep for a couple hours, and write a one-page autobiography. Today, thousands of biographies have been collected and archived in the shop.

You should actually read the history of the founder and the bookshop, which is told much more eloquently here .

Attached to the bookstore is a cafe by the same name. I can’t come to Paris and not stop here for a cappuccino and this Paris institution.

Right across the river from Shakespeare & Company is Notre Dame cathedral.

I have been to almost 50 countries and have visited houses of worship in all of them. Nothing hit me quite like walking into Notre Dame on my first visit in 2017. I know that’s probably the most cliche favorite church to have, but it’s mine.

Unfortunately, the inside of Notre Dame is still closed after a fire in 2019 burned much of the cathedral. You can still access the courtyard in front of it and see the church and the famous gargoyles from the outside.

Pass around the back of Notre Dame and cross over Pont Saint-Louis onto Île Saint-Louis. Step onto the island and you’ll feel like you’ve gone back in time and maybe teleported to a small French village. It’s quaint and quiet, but don’t read that as boring. There are darling boutiques, amazing restaurants and somehow less crowds than the rest of Paris.

Focus your attention on Rue Saint-Louis en l’Île, the main street that runs through the heart of the island. In a few blocks you’ll hit Berthillon ice cream shop. People argue it’s the best ice cream in all of Paris. The shop’s been around and run by the same family since the 1950s. I must confess, we haven’t actually tried it! The timing just didn’t work out for us, but it’s on our bucket list for sure.

When you’re done exploring the island, cross back to the Left Bank via Pont de la Tournelle or Pont de Sully.

Tino Rossi Garden & Jardin des Plantes

Now it’s time to relax with a bit of nature. The next part of this walk starts at Tino Rossi Garden. It’s a wonderful transition from the bustle of the city to the serenity of Jardin des Plantes.

Jardin des Plantes is a huge botanical garden. About half the garden space is a ticked zoo, which costs €10-13 per person. For the sake of time during this busy day though, we’d suggest skipping the zoo. Instead, follow the paths that cuts straight through the southern portion of the gardens.

Now we’re back to shopping and eating. After Jardin des Plantes, head toward Square Saint-Médard. There are a few ways to get there and any will work. This square has an open air market which is open most days except Sunday afternoon and Monday.

After the market, head north on Rue Mouffetard. The street is so charming and beautiful, from the shops to the buildings themselves. It’s another one of the oldest streets in Paris and its said to have been the main inspiration for Victor Hugo when he wrote Les Miserables.

When Rue Mouffetard hits Rue Clovis, turn left and head to Luxembourg Gardens. Be sure to take note of the Pantheon as you pass by. This is also a popular attraction to visit, but this long walk doesn’t leave time to go inside.

Luxembourg Gardens is my favorite park in all of Paris. In the summer, the flowers are stunning, while in the fall the changing leaves steal the show. Take some time wandering through the gardens, but be sure to take some time to sit near the pond in front of Luxembourg Palace.

In the summer, there’s a small stand near the pond where you can rent wooden boats to sail on the pond in the summer. Theres a great story about the boats, which you can read here .

• Visit the observation deck at Montparnasse Tower and enjoy a cocktail on the roof with views of the entire city at sunset
• Continuing your shopping spree on Boulevard Saint-Germain
• Get a glass of wine at a charming local bar like Chez Georges or Compagnie des Vins Surnaturels
• Start your next walk through Le Marais

Le Marais Walking Guide

The Marais has so much personality. It’s historic but trendy. Religious but LGBT friendly. Urban but quaint.

My desire to explore Le Marais is what inspired me to write this entire post. Everything I read about the neighborhood said “just go and walk around” or “it’s a great place to get lost.” I do not do well with these types of directions. I always end up on the wrong streets and wasting time in places that honestly aren’t that great.

So if you also want to explore Le Marais, but want to know just where to explore, I’ve got you covered. This route passes through some of the main shopping streets, landmarks and squares in the heart of Le Marais. With some basic landmarks flagged, you’ll feel empowered to take a few extra turns along the way as you Flâner .

Saint-Jacques Tower

Rue de rivoli, place des vosges, jewish quarter, marché des enfants rouges, square du temple.

• Get coffee first. Not far from start of this walk is Motors Coffee. It’s a great coffee shop with killer banana Nutella bread. Start here.
• Start in the afternoon . This neighborhood is slow to wake up. Come in the afternoon for the best energy. It’s also a good place to be in the evening, as there’s a wide array of bars and restaurants.
• Consider a guided tour . There’s a lot of really deep and interesting history in Le Marais. If you’re into that sort of thing, there are several free walking tours through the area, like this one .
• Wander within reason . I’ve noted the high streets and notable sights on this map, but I’ve also noted a larger general area that represents the heart of Le Marais. If you have time and interest, wandering down any of these streets will serve you well.

Self-guided walk through Le Marais

This walking tour begins at Saint-Jacques Tower. To get there by train, take the 1, 4, 7, 11 or 14 trains to Châtelet station.

The tower you see today is all that remains of a 16th century church that was destroyed during the French Revolution. For €12, you can climb 300 steps to the top of the tower. It’s usually not too crowded. The tower is only open Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 10 AM – 6 PM.

Even if you don’t go inside, the tower is beautiful to look at and surrounded by a lovely and quaint garden. There’s a small playground on one side for children, too.

Continue east down Rue de Rivoli. This is a one of the mail thoroughfares that cut through Le Marais and it’s lined with lots of big-box and thrift stores and also restaurants. There are lots of cool buildings along the way, including one you literally can’t miss, Hôtel de Ville. This massive building primarily serves as a government building, but they do occasionally have public exhibitions and guided tours.

Consider a detour off this main street to see Saint-Gervais church, Rue des Barres or Mémorial de la Shoah holocaust memorial. There are cute boutiques and some really interesting, really old buildings in this area.

Try to make it back to Rue de Rivoli by Saint Paul Station. If you have little ones, there’s a small carousel ride that might quickly become their favorite thing about their Paris trip.

Next up is the main square in Les Marais, Place des Vosges. It’s a perfectly square park that even has square trees! It’s a popular square that’s great people watching and relaxing.

Many reviews I read said that Place des Vosges was too crowded and to seek out less popular squares like Place Sainte-Catherine. I disagree. I think the energy at Place des Vosges is why you should go there.

Exit the park onto Rue des Francs Bourgeois, which another main shopping street. This one is features more high end designers and boutiques like Maje and Ted Baker.

Turn left onto Rue Pavée and then right on Rue des Rosiers and you’ll have found the soul of the Jewish Quarter. This short street is filled with jewish restaurants, bookshops and synagogues. There is so much history in this area if you know where to look. I’d highly recommend this article which talks about the history in much more depth.

If you’re hungry, this is a good place to pick up some falafel. L’As du Fallafel is the most popular pick.

Rue Vieille du Temple

Rue des Rosiers and the Jewish quarter ends at Rue Vieille du Temple. This is another photogenic shopping street with high-end boutiques and charming cafes.

Some of the cutest portions of this street are actually to the left between the Jewish Quarter and Rue de Rivoli. If you have time, walk a few blocks out of your way through that section. Alternatively, you can just turn right and head north right off the bat for an abridged version of this street.

When you run into a large 6-way interchange, turn left onto Rue de Bretagne. This street will lead you to Marché des Enfants Rouges, the oldest food market in Paris.

This market has vendors selling fresh produce and meats, but also full restaurants with bar and table service. It’s a popular place to get a meal in a unique setting.

Personally, this market didn’t do it for me. It was smaller than I expected (much smaller than Borough Market , which is what I was picturing) and nothing really stood out to me to try (granted, I’m a vegetarian). Instead of waiting for a table at the cramped restaurants, we walked a bit up the road and got pizza at a cafe. (Also uninspired, I know, but at least we were comfortable.)

Round out your time in Le Marais with a visit to Square du Temple. It’s a beautiful garden with a memorial to Elie Wlesel, playground and pond.

We actually had to cut our day a little short and didn’t make it all the way here, but I’d prioritize it next time.

• Visit a museum such as the National Archives Museum, Picasso Museum or the Museum of the Art and History of Judaism.
• Get cocktails! This area is known for it’s nightlife, but even an early drink in the area is fun. Try Candelaria (speakeasy) or read this list for best bars in the area.
• Head over La Coulée Verte Paris, an elevated garden on an old train line (similar in concept to the High Line in New York City)
• Start your next walk through Montmartre

Montmartre Walking Guide

Montmartre is often people’s favorite place in Paris and with good reason. It has winding cobble stone streets, artists painting portraits, views over most of Paris, and it’s literally topped off with a breathtaking basilica.

This is another area that can get a bad rap for being “too touristy,” but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t go. This walking route will guide you through the main areas of the neighborhood, which yes, includes the tourist attractions along the way.

Montmartre isn’t just about the attractions, though. The best way to enjoy the area is simply to spend time there. By that I mean sit on the steps for awhile. Plan to get a meal at a street-side cafe. Go into the shops and stores. If you’re just checking off sights, the neighborhood will just pass you by.

For that reason, this walk is much shorter in distance than the first three. It’s just over a mile. The neighborhood isn’t that big, so even if you wander off the path, which is encouraged, you still won’t be covering too much distance. This walk can be covered in about half a day.

Montmartre Funicular

Sacré-cœur, place du tertre, rue de l’abreuvoir, le bateau-lavoir, moulin rouge.

• Dine at a charming cafe. Montmartre is dripping with Instagrammable cafes. Le Consulat, La Maison Rose, La Taverne de Montmartre and Le Potager are all highly rated and beautiful restaurants in the area.
• Take a mini Picasso tour . The renowned painter Pueblo Picasso lived and painted in Montmartre for many years. You can see his house, studio and favorite spots in the neighborhood. Here’s a great guide that details the history and exact locations of all things Picasso in Montmartre.
• Come during different times on different trips . During your first trip to Paris, I’d suggest visiting in the early afternoon when it’s the most busy, but then try different times during subsequent visits. Come in the evening and watch the sunset from the steps of Square Louise Michel. If you want to get a portrait, come around 11 when they set up for the best pick of artists.
• Plan your route wisely. If you look at Google maps, it’s easy to feel like you can move around the district pretty quickly. Be warned! The neighborhood of Montmartre has a huge hill in the middle, which is what Sacré-Cœur sits atop. I’d suggest taking the funicular up, seeing everything at the top at once, then working your way down as you explore the rest of the neighborhood.

Self-guided walk through Montmartre

This route begins in the center of the Montmartre neighborhood at the Abbesses subway station, which serves the 12 train. Alternatively, you could take the 2 train to Pigalle station and walk up Rue des Martyrs to Rue Yvonne le Tac.

Walk along Rue Yvonne le Tac and then Rue Tardieu till you reach the base of Square Louise Michel. Just about everyone will be making the same walk between Abbesses and the square, so the street is always lively.

A funicular is a type of cable-based train that is usually used on very steep hills, and Montmartre has one. There are several different stair cases that lead up the hill, including the notable steps up Square Louise Michel, but the funicular is the easiest way to get to the top.

The base of the Montmartre funicular is located here in the southwest corner of Square Louise Michel. You can use a Paris Metro travel card or single ride ticket to ride the funicular. There is a ticket kiosk near the entrance to the funicular where you can purchase a ticket if you don’t already have one. You cannot tap to pay with a credit card on Paris Metro transportation, including the funicular.

It’s a short trip to the top and a car departs every few minutes. The funicular just makes one stop, which is at the top of the hill here . When you exit, turn right and you’re just steps away from Sacré-Cœur.

Sacré-Cœur is the basilica at the top of Montmartre. The church was consecrated in 1919. It was initially proposed as a way for France to seek religious redemption for kidnapping the pope under Napoleon. (You can read about that wild story here .)

Sacré-Cœur is free to enter and is open daily from 6:30 AM – 10:30 PM. Inside there are several statues, stained glass windows, and an immaculate pipe organ built by the same person who built the organ for Notre Dame. The organ is played on Sundays during mass and evening prayer at 4PM. For a small fee — for which they accept credit cards or cash — you can light a prayer candle inside the church.

You can also go to the top of the dome at Sacré-Cœur. The dome is open everyday from 10:30 AM – 5:30 PM and costs €7 for adults. There is no elevator to the top, so you’ll need to be able to climb 300 steps. I’ve never actually been to the top of the dome because the views from the ground are so good.

Square Louise Michel

The basilica sits at the top of Square Louise Michel. Before you continue with this walk, take a short break on the steps here and enjoy the view.

The square is lined with steps which are always filled with people enjoying the sweeping views of Paris. There’s often street performers and hawkers selling beers right from the cardboard case. The cops will always come and shut them down, but they always come right back. It’s a fun dance.

This is one of my favorite views in Paris. It’s also a great place to see the sun set if you’re here in the evening.

Pass the church and make your way to Place du Tertre. The small streets along the way have lots of souvenir shops, food vendors like creperies and ice cream shops, and a couple small art galleries. I’d suggest walking, but there’s also a cute little train that you can take.

Place du Tertre has capitalized on the artsy past of this neighborhood. Today it’s filled with artist painting portraits and selling their work. The outside of the square is all open-air cafes filled with people sipping wine and people watching.

If you’re looking to get a portrait drawn, come around 11 when they’re setting up. The best artists can get lines quickly. If you’re just coming to observe, come in the afternoon when it’s the most crowded.

Leave (some of) the crowds behind and make your way down to Rue de l’Abreuvoir. This means taking a steep walk down the hill on Rue des Saules until you see the unmissable pink and green La Maison Rose restaurant.

If you go straight past it, you’ll actually see Clos Montmartre. It’s the oldest operating vineyard in Paris; not something you’d expect to find in the middle of a city. It is not typically open to the public (minus a few special tours throughout the year), but you can see the vines from the street.

Back at our pink restaurant, though, turn onto Rue de l’Abreuvoir.

This street is beautiful. There are stone walls dripping with ivy, charming Parisian buildings and cobblestone sidewalks. It’s a delightful stroll and photographer’s dream. It’s a short street and it ends at the statue of the boobs (aka Buste de Dalida).

Just around the corner you’ll hit Square Suzanne Buisson. If you need a break and/or if the kids want to play, make a pit stop here. It’s a small square, but it’s a good respite.

Next, make your way toward Place Émile Goudeau. The route in my map above will take you down a tiny alley, which may feel like the wrong way but isn’t. Just keep going and you’ll soon hit the cobblestone square.

The square looks out onto Le Bateau-Lavoir, which was the studio rented by Picasso when he moved to Paris. The original studio was destroyed, and the building today is the the renovated version. To this day, the building serves as an artists’ residence. It is not open for tours.

Even if you are not interested in art history, it’s still a cool place to say you’ve been. And at the very least, it’s a good signpost on your journey through the neighborhood.

Rue des Abbesses

As your Montmartre walking tour comes to an end, make your way back to the main street of Rue des Abbesses. You should arrive on the street not far from where you started at the train station. This time you’re going to go the other way. This section of the street has — you guessed it — shops and restaurants.

This stretch feels a bit less touristy than the other direction and is more practical stores versus souvenir shops. It’s a good place to get an ice cream or a glass of wine. Otherwise, this walk can probably be done briskly as you’re out of the more classical Montmartre area at this point.

While you’re in the area, it’s worth it to finish your day at Moulin Rouge. Yes, that Moulin Rouge.

The venue has been hosting shows and performances since 1889, and today operates as a dinner theater. For about €200 a person, you can enjoy a full meal and performance at this iconic theater.

Even if you don’t go inside, it’s worth it to see the marquee and legendary red windmill. There is a median in the middle of street where you can safely stand and take photos.

• Continue exploring Clichy Street, which is famous for its countless sex shops
• Walk over the suspension bridge at Parc des Buttes-Chaumont. To get there, take the 2 train from Blanche station across from Moulin Rouge to Colonel Fabien and then walk about 10 minutes to the park.
• Get cocktails at Lulu White, voted one of the best cocktail bars on Paris .
• Start your next walk around the Eiffel Tower

Eiffel Tower & the Seine Walking Guide

We’ve made it to the Eiffel Tower, and this walk is truly all about the Iron Lady. This section focuses on getting to the Eiffel Tower and enjoying all the best views of it. It’s a good idea to pair this walk with your visit to the Eiffel Tower, otherwise you may find portions of this walk redundant.

Technically, this walk in full is about 4 miles. That said, you can certainly make it much shorter by cutting down the portions on Rue Saint-Dominique and/or along the Seine.

Rue Saint-Dominique

Champ de mars, eiffel tower, trocadéro gardens, pont alexandre iii.

• Have a plan for getting Eiffel Tower tickets . If you’d like to go up into the Eiffel Tower in the afternoon or evening, be sure to book your ticket in advance. Tickets go on sale 60 days in advance and book up quick, especially for the summit. Otherwise, plan to arrive 15 to 30 minutes before the tower opens in the morning to beat the crowns.
• Start at Bleu Olive . This coffee shop is conveniently located near the start of Rue Cler. It’s a good option for breakfast to begin your day or for a coffee to take with you. Note: they’re closed on Sundays and don’t open till 10 AM on Saturday.
• Avoid Mondays. Many stores are closed on Mondays, which will make parts of this walk less fun.
• Take this walk in reverse . The walk along the Right Bank (north side) of the Seine offers stunning views of the Eiffel Tower. If you flip this route, you’ll be approaching the Eiffel tower and can enjoy the view the whole time.
• Bring a blanket. If you have a small packable picnic blanket , bring it on this walk. It’ll be nice to have if you spend time sitting on the grass at Trocadéro Gardens.
• Enjoy this walk in the evening . If you start around 2 or 3 PM (Tuesday – Saturday), you’ll enjoy a bustling market on Rue Cler and a lovely early evening at the Eiffel Tower. Watch the sun set from Trocadéro Gardens and then enjoy the City of Light by night as you walk along the Seine. Perfection.

Self-guided walk around the Eiffel Tower

The best place to start this walk is the La Tour-Maubourg station which serves the 8 train. If that’s not convenient, you can also take the 13 train to Varenne station. Head west on Rue de Grenelle until you reach Rue Cler.

Rue Cler is often said to be the most beautiful street in Paris. The market street is only one block long, but it’s jam packed with shops selling the freshest produce, local meat, French cheese, wine, pastries and more. It’s like it was made to build the perfect picnic basket to take to Champ de Mars.

Tuesday through Saturday the shops are open from 8 or 9 AM till about 7 PM. The market is only open until 2 PM on Sundays and nearly all the shops are closed on Mondays.

At the end of Rue Cler you’ll hit Rue Saint-Dominique. This street is lined with traditional Hausmann buildings, which is probably what you picture when you think of Paris. It’s a popular shopping street with Eiffel Tower views.

Most of the shopping is to your right, but the Eiffel tower is to your left. If you really are not interested in shopping or are pressed for time, you can turn left after Rue Cler and enjoy a smaller segment of this beautiful street. But if you have extra time, I’d recommend turning right so you get a bit more out of it. Continue walking until you hit Boulevard de la Tour-Maubourg. Then turn around and head back down Rue Saint-Dominique until you hit Champ de Mars.

Champ de Mars is iconic, but to be honest, it’s never what I want it to be. I always pictured it to be an open, flat park when you can have a picnic under the Eiffel Tower. However, there’s actually lots of trees and I feel like there’s always construction. I’d suggest walking through it, but if you’re looking for a place to sit I’d argue Trocadéro Gardens is better.

What Champ de Mars does offer, though, is a great approach to the Eiffel Tower. She looms large from this angle and you will be itching to visit the summit.

Ah yes. We’ve made it 7,000 words into this post before finally making it to the Eiffel Tower.

If you’re planning to go inside, be sure to check out my complete visitor guide to the Eiffel Tower . It has tips for where to enter, how to avoid lines, best floor order to visit the tower and more.

If you’re not planning to go to the top of the tower, you can still technically walk underneath it. To get there, you will need to pass through the security. Follow the signs for visitors who do not yet have tickets. After security, you’ll have access to the plaza at the base of the tower and can see it right up close. If you’re not going up, just skip the lines for the ticket office and proceed to an exit.

If you aren’t interested in passing underneath the Eiffel tower, you can simply walk around the outer perimeter and carry on to Pont d’Iéna. There’s also a carousel right by bridge, which is a highlight for children and Instagrammers alike.

If you ask me, the best views of the Eiffel Tower are from Trocadéro Gardens. This is the garden I picture when I think of picnics in front of the Eiffel Tower. From this hill, you’re treated to the best views of the tower, plus the Seine and its bridges. It has a great view of the tower any time, but one of my favorite times to come here is in the early evening when the sun sets and the tower starts to light up.

There’s lots of grass space to sit, so it’s nice to have a blanket. There’s also  food vendors at the base of the gardens, so pick up a crepes or drink before you head up the hill. You’ll also usually find hawkers unofficially selling Champagne and beer, which can actually be quite nice. It’s technically illegal to drink in Paris parks, but police are generally very lenient with beer and wine.

NOTE: In the provided map, Google does not think you can cross Avenue de New York at near the Eiffel Tower, but you can. There is a pedestrian walk sign at the street light here. So you can ignore that detour. 

Walk along the Seine

After you’ve enjoyed a good long sit at Trocadéro Gardens, continue your walk along the Seine for even more beautiful views of the Eiffel Tower. I like to the follow the north side of the river, which eventually becomes Jardin d’Erivan. This riverside garden is lined with trees which become truly stunning in the fall.

At each bridge you pass, turn around to get another epic view of the Eiffel Tower. You’ll pass three, counting Debilly Footbridge, before you get to Pont Alexandre III.

This decorative bridge was built in the late 1800s. It’s a lovely bridge, but mostly I note it here as one final amazing view of the Eiffel Tower. You can still see it from the next bridge too, but it really starts to hide at that point.

If you cross this bridge, you’ll head into Esplanade des Invalides which leads right back to where this walk began. Alternatively, if you turn left and head away from the river, you’ll pass between the Petit and Grand Palais and on to Champs-Élysées. And just like that, our walks have come full circle.

• Continue walking along the Seine, passing Tuileries Garden and onward toward the isles
• Take a boat cruise along the Seine and see Paris from a new perspective
• For a family dinner, get pizza at the hip and delicious Mokus l’Écureuil near Trocadéro Gardens

More From This Trip

• British Airways Business Class Review – 777 from JFK to LHR
• London Travel Guide
• Things to do in London with Kids – Family Travel Guide + Tips
• How to Use the London Underground – A Beginner’s Guide to the Tube
• Bankside Hotel London Review
• London Eye Visitor Guide – How to Visit the Iconic Ferris Wheel in London
• Stonehenge Visitor Guide + Inner Circle Tour Review
• Little Venice London Boat Ride Guide & Review
• Visiting London Transport Museum
• Complete Guide to Big Ben in London
• Borough Market Visitor Guide
• Best Views of Paris that Aren’t the Eiffel Tower
• Visit the Eiffel Tower in Paris – A Complete Guide
• Walking in Paris – 5 perfect walks through Paris with maps
• Paris with Kids – Planning Guide, Things To Do & Tips
• Montparnasse Tower Visitor Guide + Tips
• Amsterdam with Kids – Planning Guide, Things To Do & Sample Itinerary

Monday 28th of August 2023

thank you for actually being objective as to what you can skip! me & my feet appreciate it!

Thursday 7th of September 2023

Oh good! I'm happy to hear that! I hope you have a great trip!

Tuesday 21st of March 2023

This is a stunning post. Top marks for the maps of the routes! And a great read. Thank you.

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Sights & Street Scenes of the Paris Latin Quarter: A Walking Itinerary

Home » France » Paris » Sights & Street Scenes of the Paris Latin Quarter: A Walking Itinerary

This one-day itinerary hits 18 different points of interest across the Parisian Latin Quarter. You’ll stroll café-lined streets, take in historic and architecturally significant buildings , and explore the natural beauty of some of the best parks in Paris. To make the most of your time, go ahead and book your entry tickets for two of the major stops on your itinerary: Sainte-Chapelle ( book ahead here ) and the Panthéon ( avoid the lines by booking ahead ). The majority of the other stops are free, making this a budget-friendly itinerary . The main cost you’ll incur will be from any shopping or dining you do along the route at places that catch your eye.

Stop 1: Rue de Buci

Head to the Mabillon station on Line 10 (gold) of the Paris Metro. This will be your starting point for the itinerary. Rue de Buci begins just across from the metro exit. This compact street is bustling day and night with pedestrians walking along. Shops and restaurants line the way. Start your day off with a coffee , and pull up a streetside table to watch people go by. Or simply window shop as you make your way toward Île de la Cité.

(image via John Hansel )

Stop 2: Pont Neuf

Pont Neuf is the oldest standing bridge crossing the Seine and a great place to eat breakfast and experience the surroundings of Paris.

(image via Fabien Maurin )

Stop 3: Sainte-Chapelle

While Notre Dame is closed, Sainte-Chapelle, another Middle Ages cathedral on the Île de la Cité (and one with arguably more impressive stained glass ), is very busy, so we recommend you stop here first. Skip the line and book tickets ahead .

(image via Jamieson Gordon )

Stop 4: Marché aux Oiseaux (Flower & Fish Market)

This quaint flower market makes for unique pictures . It might not be something you would go visit specifically, but it’s between Sainte-Chapelle and Notre Dame, so it’s an easy stop. There are multiple flower markets in the area, so the sights and smells are stimulating.

(image via Laurie Delobre Arts )

Stop 5: Notre Dame Cathedral

One of the most famous buildings in the world, Notre Dame is, unfortunately, closed for renovations following the devastating fire to its roof. You can’t go in right now, but you’ll want to see it anyway. For now, looking up at it from the surrounding streets will have to do.

(image via Bastien Nvs )

Stop 6: Shakespeare and Company

This incredible English language bookstore helped give birth to some of the best writing of the 20th century . Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Gertrude Stein, and many more once spent time honing their craft here. It also has great views of Notre Dame.

(image via Deniz Demirci )

Stop 7: Place Saint-Michel

This beautiful fountain is worth a few pictures, and the surrounding plaza has numerous food options.

(image via Guillaume Didelet )

Stop 8: The Abbey Bookshop

The Abbey Bookshop is much less well-known than Shakespeare & Co. This small bookshop is like something out of a dream . With books stacked floor to ceiling and a charismatic owner, it’s a stop that very few people make but that you will find yourself remembering decades from now. If you’re a book lover, this is your dream come true.

(image via Rudy Issa )

Stop 9: Musée de Cluny

The museum just recently reopened in May 2022 after an extensive renovation . This museum is dedicated to the history of Paris in the Middle Ages. You can see some ruins of a former Roman bath here, even from outside the courtyard.

(image via Paris mon amour )

Stop 10: Luxembourg Palace

This historic palace (and former home of Marie de Medici) is free to enter, but the gardens are the real draw here. It’s a bit of a walk here but pretty spectacular . Today, the French Senate meets in the building.

(image via Marie Evano )

Stop 11: Fontaine Médicis

As you are walking out of the Gardens, be sure to stop by this lovely fountain near Rue Soufflot, which is the street you will want to take to head to the Panthéon. It has recently undergone a deep cleaning, so its spiffy appearance is even new to the locals.

(image via Victor Paul Ianiczec )

Stop 12: Panthéon

This spectacular mausoleum celebrates some of France’s greatest citizens, including Victor Hugo and Voltaire. The neo-Classical architecture is some of the most remarkable in all of the city. Book tickets ahead of time , as this is a popular spot.

(image via Kreshen )

Stop 13: Church of Saint-Étienne-du-Mont

An underrated attraction, this church has wonderful architecture and is just minutes from the Panthéon.

(image via James Hastings )

Stop 14: Collège des Bernardins

This serene gothic space houses touring exhibitions. The interior space is a fantastic example of gothic arches. Through the summer of 2022, there’s an augmented reality exhibition about Notre Dame.

(image via Collège des Bernardins )

Stop 15: Square des arènes de Lutèce

A good resting spot, this park sits atop a former Roman gladiatorial arena . Have a snack, and be thankful you live in a world where you needn’t do battle to the death to proceed onward with your day.

(image via Guislaine Vol-dub )

Stop 16: The Alpine Garden at Jardin des Plantes

You could probably spend an entire day enjoying the serene beauty of the incredible botanical garden that is Jardin des Plantes. The Alpine Garden, in particular, is wild and beautiful , but there is so much to see you should walk around the space more generally.

(image via Jardin des Plantes )

Stop 17: Place de la Contrescarpe

Make your way to la place de la Contrescarpe, which is the Northmost point of one of Paris’ most charming streets, la Rue Mouffetard.

(image via Rhonda Vanderbeek )

Stop 18: Rue Mouffetard

End your day here with a bit of shopping and enjoy a dinner where many locals will be at nearby tables. The street is pedestrianized and feels about 10 feet wide at points. You will love it.

(image via Gilmar Barbosa )

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Jeremy Chrysler

Jeremy loves to build great itineraries for groups of guys and for young families.

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Paris Latin Quarter Free Walking Tour

Visit the beautiful major landmarks that exist in Paris' Latin Quarter

ABOUT THE Paris Latin Quarter Free Walking Tour

Join an expert local guide for a 2-hour walking tour through the beautiful and fascinating Latin Quarter. See why writers like Hemingway called it home, visit the French philosphers memorialized in the Panthéon, and stroll through beautiful sites like the Luxembourg Gardens.

Your Latin Quarter Tour meets at the fountain at Place Saint Michel and usually ends by the Panthéon or the Luxembourg Gardens.  We never cancel; tours run rain, hail or shine.

Keep your cameras at the ready

Taking a walking tour through Paris' Latin Quarter is truly something special, and will help you to take beautiful photos that will make your friends at home jealous! You'll marvel at the impressive Panthéon (the memorial to great French philosophers), you'll stroll past the Cluny Museum, and we recommend the fountain outside Paris' Sorbonne University for a great picture.

A neighborhood of literary and artistic greats

Your expert local guide will start this tour by leading you over to the famous Bookstore Shakespeare and Co., a tribute to the store originally owned by Sylvia Beach and the local hangout for meetings between literary greats like Ernest Hemingway, James Joyce and Ezra Pound. From there, you'll walk past places like the oldest cinema in Paris, Hemingway and Joyce's houses, and see sites from where Woody Allen's Midnight in Paris was filmed.

Hear the incredible stories from the Latin Quarter

Beyond taking amazing photos of major Parisian landmarks, and seeing where some of history's greatest writers were inspired, you'll also hear some of the incredible stories from inside Paris' Latin Quarter. See the Church of Sainte Genevieve, the patron saint of Paris, and hear about her efforts in keeping Attila the Hun from Paris, and learn about one of history's greatest love stories, the incredible real-life tale of Heloise and Abelard.

Free Tour concept

The tips-based model of the Free Tour allows guests to support and reward only the highest quality tours, and to ensure that the tour fits within their expectations, and within their budget.

Your Latin Quarter Walking Tour starts by the fountain on Place Saint-Michel  (metro line 4 - exit 3)

• See the incredible Panthéon, where great French philosophers are buried
• Take postcard-perfect pictures at the Sorbonne University and the Luxembourg Gardens
• Hear the incredible true love story of Heloise and Abelard
• Discover the lives of writing greats like Hemingway and Joyce in the Latin Quarter
• See the iconic Bookstore Shakespeare and Co

TOUR SCHEDULES

Click on 'See more dates' to check availability

• Local English-speaking guide
• Gratuities for the guide (optional)
• The independent guides who employ us to market their tours have your best interests in mind; while the tour usually includes the sites & stories mentioned and lasts about 2 hours, your tour may vary depending on what your guide thinks is best for your group
• Wheelchair accessible

Customer reviews

Great walking tour for English speakers with Zach!

Five of us signed up for the two hour walking tour of the Latin Quarter. Four of us have been to Paris several times before but had never taken a walking tour. Our guide, Zach Wilson, was very informative, answered all our questions and led us on a most interesting tour at a reasonable pace. He knew the historical background of the area very well and did a great job at condensing the history so that it was easy to grasp and remember. I highly recommend this English speaking tour with Zach!

Latin Quarter Tour

Hugo lead us through the Latin Quarter with expertise and enthusiasm. I've visited Paris before but was amazed at every corner at the new places we visited and the information he provided. Such a great experience - and I'd highly recommend, particularly to any Hemmingway or Midnight in Paris fans.

Pleasant Walk

Walking tour of Latin Quarters with Holly. It was very pleasant and nice. We are glad we did it because she already knew the places to visit and gave us insights. Rather than just walking around, I prefer to be lead and she did a great job.

Sandemans Paris Latin Quarter Walking Tour

Our guide Justine was excellent and her personality and enthusiasm greatly added to our enjoyment of the walking tour. She provided a very insightful commentary throughout the tour as well as some lovely touches of drama and humour. It was excellent and we would thoroughly recommend the tour.

Walking Tours with Hugo

We started off our day with the Paris free tour with Hugo and loved it so much we booked with him again for the Latin Quarter tour! Hugo not only is personable and funny, his extensive knowledge on the area is outstanding! We have been to Paris before but now know so much more that we will need to come back and explore again! Thanks Hugo!

What is a Free Tour?

The Free Tour is the best introduction to Paris! A general overview tour including many of the highlights of the city, the Free Tour usually lasts around 3 hours and is provided by a local freelance guide in partnership with SANDEMANs NEW Europe, so tour content can vary depending on your guide’s particular area of interest and expertise.

The Free Tour is a walking tour with no need for public transport and is designed for independent travellers, not groups. You can book your spot in advance online or simply show up at the start point on the day. There is no payment necessary at the start of the tour but you are welcome to tip your guide at the end!

We believe in supporting local communities and are committed to giving a voice to some of Paris' best local freelance tour guides, who passionately share the city's history and culture with their own unique and always-entertaining style. They'll never pressure you to tip; we believe that, if money is given, it should be voluntary and in direct proportion to the quality of the tour and the budget of the traveller.

Why join the SANDEMANs FREE Tour?

• The route covers many of Paris' major landmarks
• The meeting point is centrally located in Place Saint-Michel
• The Free Tour is guaranteed to fit within your budget
• The guides performing tips-based Free Tours are incentivized to perform every time

WALKING TOURS & ACTIVITIES IN PARIS

Free Tour of Paris

Book the original Paris free walking tour and visit many of the city's highlights with a local guide

Montmartre Free Walking Tour

Join a walking tour of the perfectly Parisian Montmartre neighborhood

2-hour Paris Highlights Private Tour

Make the most out of your visit and discover Paris' top attractions with your private tour guide

3-hour Paris Private City Tour

Enjoy a comprehensive overview of Paris' fascinating history and must-see sites with your private to ...

Tell us the landmarks, stories or parts of the city you want to see, how long you have to see them and when you want to go, and we’ll build an itinerary that suits you.

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Participation in tours promoted by SANDEMANs NEW Europe is strictly on a voluntary basis. Neither SANDEMANs NEW Europe, nor the self-employed freelance guides who are the providers of the tours promoted by SANDEMANs NEW Europe, will be held responsible in any way for injuries to body or property incurred during tours. The tour guides reserve the right to deny participation in any tour, to any person, for any reason. Thank you for your understanding.

Thank you! Your support means more to us than we can express in words. Chris Sandeman and the SANDEMANs Live Community

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