Six things to find in the Latin Quarter of Paris

This week’s podcast episode is with distinguished author John Baxter, who shares some tips on the Latin Quarter of Paris.

You can find the episode on your phone if you’ve already subscribed – Season 6, Ep. 29 – or click play below.

And did you know that it’s called the Latin Quarter because hundreds of years ago all the students spoke Latin?

Simply scroll down for some of the travel tips John shared, and listen to the episode for a whole lot more.

1. Shakespeare and Company

“It is much more now a sort of tourist spot, people go there not to buy books to read but more to have a souvenir with the stamp of the shop in the front.”

Address: 37 Rue de la Bûcherie, 75005 Paris
Website: https://shakespeareandcompany.com/

2. Place Saint-Michel

“This place is definitely worth a look! The fountain is an enormous angel of Gabriel crushing a devil, to symbolize the Franco-Prussian war. The two griffons spouting water celebrate the resistance to the Germans in the Second World War.”

Address: 7B Place Saint-Michel, 75006 Paris
Website: https://www.parisinfo.com/transports/73150/Fontaine-Saint-Michel

3. Sorbonne University

“There’s not much to look at, but you can admire it. It’s not particularly striking architecturally, but there are some interesting things around there such as a little park across from the front of the Sorbonne with a statue of Diderot where you rub the foot for good luck.”

Address: 12 Place du Panthéon, 75231 Paris
Website: http://www.pantheonsorbonne.fr/

4. Picasso’s Loft

“You can still find the place where Picasso lived in Paris. It is a huge loft that was used as a concert hall, and there was space to hang Guernica. They are going to open up the space again so that you are able to visit”.

Address: 7 Rue des Grands-Augustins, 75006 Paris
Website: https://guernica.museoreinasofia.es/en/agente/picassos-studio-7-rue-grands-augustins-paris-5936

5. Art house movies at Action Christine (Christine 21)

“Built down in an old crypt, this is a small and intimate cinema where the screen is close. And almost all the films are in English.”

Address: 4 Rue Christine, 75006 Paris
Website: http://christine21.cine.allocine.fr/films-et-horaires/alaffiche.html

6. The Pantheon

“A wonderful building that was built as a cathedral but the Revolutionaries decided to turn it into a secular cathedral celebrating both the holy and the gifted. People of significance are buried in the crypt with an enormous ceremony.”

Address: Place du Panthéon, 75005 Paris
Website: http://www.paris-pantheon.fr/

Well that’s it, they’re the tips. But John hung around after this podcast to answer every single question from Patreon subscribers. For the bonus episode, become a Patreon supporter today (and get access to the full show notes from this episode).

And check out John’s latest book, A Year in Paris: Season by Season in the City of Light.

And lastly, here’s a video from the last time John was on the show, sharing his tips on how to navigate the Luxembourg Gardens! Subscribe on YouTube!