EN 
Once you’ve soaked up the atmosphere of the Latin Quarter, enjoy a scenic, 30-minute stroll past Notre-Dame de Paris on Île de la Cité and the Louvre on your journey back to Le Meurice.
Art and culture
A neighbourhood guide to Paris’ Latin Quarter
March 17, 2022
The Pantheon and Cluny Museum draw visitors to the Latin Quarter in Paris’s fifth arrondissement, but those in the know prefer to get lost in its winding streets and soak up its bohemian vibe.
The prettiest church in Paris
The Latin Quarter’s name is derived from the 12th century, when students at The University of Paris – the precursor to Sorbonne University – spoke Latin here. The district is still popular with students, as well as visitors exploring its cobbled alleyways and historical buildings. Everybody knows the Pantheon but few know the prettiest church in Paris just behind it, which featured in Midnight in Paris. “Saint-Étienne-du-Mont is a real gem,” says Stéphane Langlois, a Secret Tours’ guide. “Although its exterior is appealing, inside there’s an intricate pulpit, breathtaking rood screen sculpted from stone and the second most beautiful organ in Paris after Notre-Dame’s.”
Place Sainte-Geneviève, 75005 Paris
Grande Mosquée de Paris
Paris has been a magnet for people from different cultures for thousands of years, and today the Grande Mosquée de Paris welcomes visitors of all religions. Completed in 1926, its whitewashed walls are topped with green tiles – said to be Prophet Mohammed’s favourite colour – while the hidden courtyard features a fountain and arches draped in wisteria. It’s the perfect spot to escape the crowds and sip a glass of Moroccan tea. Former gallery owner Lisa Rankin, who’s a photographer, potter and Flavors of Paris guide, says, “The mosque is awesome. It has a hammam and a beautiful tea room.”
2 bis Place du Puits de l’Ermite, 75005 Paris
Pâtisserie masterclasses
What could be more French than creating baguettes by hand with a local chef? Take part in a bespoke class at Le Foodist cookery school, where chocolate croissants, éclairs, French toast and macarons will all be on the menu. Fred Pouillot, who hosts Le Foodist’s workshops, says, “Our most popular experiences are our macaron class or our six-hour market visit and cooking class.” More of a crêpe fan? Find out how to make batter, sweet fillings and produce paper-thin crêpes that are Parisian-perfect with chef Bertrand de Neuville from Crêpes Magiques at La Petite Bretonne, including other locations in Paris.
Le Foodist, 59 rue Cardinal Lemoine, 75005 Paris
La Petite Bretonne, 48 rue Mouffetard, 75005 Paris
Artisanal delicatessens
Nothing goes better with fresh bread than French cheese. Langlois says, “We have 2,000 cheeses in France. To try some more unusual cheeses, visit Cooperative Beaufort. It specialises in Beaufort, the ‘prince of cheese.’ You will also find raclette cheese and other gems such as the extremely rare Bleu de Termignon.” Langlois recommends La Cave du Sénat for French wine and Le Petit Jacques for its signature dish, aligot – cheese and garlic potato purée. For those with a sweet tooth, Mococha on rue Mouffetard showcases tempting chocolates.
Cooperative Beaufort, 9 rue Corneille, 75006 Paris
La Cave du Sénat, 16 rue de Vaugirard, 75006 Paris
Le Petit Jacques, 248 rue Saint-Jacques, 75005 Paris
Mococha, 89 rue Mouffetard, 75005 Paris
Paris creative spirit
With its labyrinthine streets and theatres, it’s no wonder Puccini set his 1890s opera La Bohème in the Latin Quarter. Today, its avant-garde spirit lives on in the cabaret club Paradis Latin, Odéon Théâtre de l’Europe theatre Caveau de la Huchette, a jazz club that featured in the romantic musical La La Land. Poets and writers meanwhile have been drawn to Shakespeare and Company on the corner of René Viviani Square since 1951, attracted to its wide selection of English language books and quaint tearoom.
Paradis Latin, 28 rue du Cardinal Lemoine, 75005 Paris
Odéon Théâtre de l’Europe, Place de l’Odéon, 75006 Paris
Caveau de la Huchette, 5 rue de la Huchette, 75005 Paris
Shakespeare and Company, 37 rue de la Bûcherie, 75005 Paris
More like this
-
Art and culture Your insider guide to Paris’s art scene -
Art and culture Musée d’Orsay with concierge Bertrand Kerzreho -
Art and culture An art lover’s guide to Rome, with Olimpia Isidori -
Art and culture Must-see exhibitions at Frieze LA by Jim Hedges -
Art and culture Christian Furr’s artwork at The Dorchester -
Art and culture The unique artistry of Sophie Coryndon
Collect Magazine
View the latest issue of Collect, our bi-annual magazine featuring a curated mix of culture, art and lifestyle, together with the latest news from Dorchester Collection hotels.