Latin Quarter Guided Tour - Semi-Private

The journey, in full

Stops generally include but are not limited to: Île de la Cité Begin your tour on Île de la Cité, the island where Paris was first founded. Once called Lutetia by its Roman settlers, this historic site is the birthplace from which the city expanded. (30 minutes) Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris See the iconic Notre-Dame Cathedral, the world’s most beloved church and a masterpiece of medieval Gothic architecture. Newly restored after the 2019 fire, it remains one of Paris’ most enduring symbols. (20 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included) Fontaine Saint-Michel Pass by the monumental Saint-Michel Fountain, commissioned by Haussmann under Napoleon III and inspired by a painting by Raphael. It depicts the Archangel Michael vanquishing the Devil—or perhaps Napoleon III vanquishing his enemies. (10 minutes) Shakespeare and Company Next, we will head toward Shakespeare and Company, Paris’ most beloved bookstore. Just minutes from Notre-Dame, this legendary shop provided refuge to literary figures of the Beat Generation in the 1950s and '60s. (10 minutes) Église Saint-Julien-le-Pauvre Discover Saint-Julien-le-Pauvre, a Melkite Greek Catholic parish church and one of Paris’s oldest religious buildings. Nestled in Square René Viviani, this spot offers spectacular views of the south side of Notre-Dame. (10 minutes) Église Saint-Séverin Visit Saint-Séverin, the oldest and largest Gothic church on the Left Bank. Admire its stunning stained glass and medieval architecture. (10 minutes) Musée de Cluny Also known as the National Museum of the Middle Ages, this museum is housed in a gorgeous abbey built upon and incorporating the remnants of third-century Gallo-Roman thermal baths, some of the oldest structures in the city. (10 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included) La Sorbonne This prestigious institution became the epicenter of knowledge in France. Closely linked to academia, royalty, and social movements, discover the rich and often provocative history of France's most famous university. (10 minutes) Panthéon We will then make our way to the Panthéon, originally built as a church dedicated to Saint Geneviève, now serving as a secular mausoleum. This monumental structure houses the remains of notable French figures such as Voltaire and Rousseau. (15 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included) Luxembourg Gardens Explore the beautiful Luxembourg Gardens, situated on the border between Saint-Germain-des-Prés and the Latin Quarter. Inspired by the Boboli Gardens in Florence, they were created in 1612 at the initiative of Queen Marie de’ Medici and span 25 hectares. (15 minutes) Saint-Étienne-du-Mont If time permits, we will visit Saint-Étienne-du-Mont, a charming Baroque church that contains the shrine of Saint Geneviève, the tomb of Jean Racine, and remarkable architectural features. (10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free) Wall of Philip II Augustus See the Wall of Philip II Augustus, the oldest surviving city wall in Paris. This stone fortification was ordered by the French king before his departure for the Third Crusade. (10 minutes) Place de la Contrescarpe Our tour will stop at Place de la Contrescarpe, one of Paris’ most charming squares, located just around the corner from the former homes of Hemingway, George Orwell, and James Joyce—to name a few! (10 minutes)