Literary Latin Quarter
This tour is an immersion in the literary and philosophical past of Paris’s celebrated Latin Quarter as well as the history of the neighbourhood that goes back to Gallo-Roman times. Your guide will be a local expert—a graduate of The Sorbonne in philosophy who also lives in the neighbourhood.
In the space of a short time, key periods from the 2000-year history of the Latin Quarter come alive. It all starts with a lively exchange over coffee: you will meet with your guide at a charming café on an Ancient Roman road just steps away from where René Descartes would live on his stays in Paris.
After a short introduction and some time to get to know one another, guests set out to explore the hill that includes the Panthéon, The Sorbonne and the childhood haunts of Jean-Paul Sartre, the heart of Saint-Germain-des-Prés and more. Prepare to be completely immersed in the history of Paris!
Options
Literary Latin Quarter
What's included in Literary Latin Quarter
(Subject to Option Inclusions)Itinerary
Place de la Contrescarpe
Our visit will start along the Rue Mouffetard, where Hemingway's A Moveable Feast opens. We'll make our way to the Pantheon and the steps where Owen Wilson is whisked away into the past in A Midnight in Paris. Also the apartment where Sartre lived as a child, The Sorbonne, the location of the original Shakespeare & Co and Saint-Germain-des-Près...
PantheonPass-by Only
We will see the Panthéon from the outside as we pass across the Montagne Sainte-Geneviève. Originally designed as the Church of Saint Genevieve, it became almost immediately a burial site for notable French citizens.
La SorbonnePass-by Only
As a graduate of The Sorbonne, your guide knows the institution well and you will learn about the history of foundation of the University of Paris in the course of this tour.
Inclusions
- Coffee and/or Tea
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Meet
Pickup and Dropoff
You will make your own way to the meeting points
Meeting Points
- We will meet at the café "La Contrescarpe"—located directly on Place de la Contrescarpe—where we will enjoy a coffee before setting out on our walking tour.
