Latin Quarter

The Barrio Latino de París, or Quartier Latin, is one of the most popular attractions in the city.

Located to the south of Île de la Cité, and surrounding the Sorbonne, it has been and remains one of the areas most bustling and con más vida de la capital francesa.

It owes its name to the students who lived here during the Middle Ages, as until the 18th century at the university se hablaba solamente en latín.

Paris's university neighborhood

The Barrio Latino de París is deeply tied to the history of students, who have had a great influence on the life of the city. It was one of the key sites during the May '68 Revolution, when student movements and their protests gave rise to the largest general strike in French history.

The hippie global movement of the era had a great influence on Parisian student groups, who demanded a society with less inequality, less consumerism, and less authoritarianism. The mass protests, joined by industrial workers, trade unions, and the French Communist Party, came to an end when De Gaulle called a snap election.

What to see in the Latin Quarter in Paris?

At the heart of the Quartier Latin stands the Plaza de Saint Michel, with a bronze statue of Saint Michael fighting the Devil. Narrow streets radiate out from the square callejuelas llenas de encanto y repletas de restaurantes y cafés with their relaxed terrace atmosphere and more affordable prices compared to the rest of central Paris.

A five-minute walk from Place Saint-Michel you'll find the Cluny Museum of the Middle Ages, with one of the most outstanding medieval collections in the world.

Thanks to the tradición estudiantil of the Latin Quarter, several cines y teatros, una animada nightlife and a wide cultural offering are found here. There are music venues and bookshops, the most famous for its history and its appearances in cult films: Shakespeare And Company.

Around the Rue de la Harpe you'll find shops, restaurants, and plenty of activity from visitors and locals alike.

Near this area you can visit edificios de interés arquitectónico such as The Panthéon of Paris, the University of the Sorbonne, the Luxembourg Palace and Gardens and the Odeóntheatre. Interesting places things to see in Paris.

One of the best free tours in Paris covers many of the picturesque spots of the Latin Quarter, such as Rue du Chat Qui Pêche (the narrowest street in Paris), as well as many stories, curiosities, and anecdotes.

It is a highly recommended neighborhood where to stay in Paris. If you want to play it safe, we recommend taking a look at this list of 5 excellent hoteles en el corazón del Barrio Latino de París.