Latin Quarter, Paris

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"Rive gauche", the left bank, is slightly different from the other side, dominated by students and cultural activities.

Of course, shopping is the "cultural activity" for many people (no, I'm not talking about Fernanda) and the avenues of Saint Germain are filled with "cultural centers".

Another "cultural activity" recommended to this area is lunch, in one of the many restaurants.

Of course, in the brakes of so intense cultural activities, strolling in the narrow streets allows some small surprises and pleasures.

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If you keep going and exit east out of Jardin du Luxembourg, you hit Blvd St Michel.
Up NE you eventually come to a great hangout spot, Place St. Michel fountain.

Usually always crowded with people (mostly young but all ages), enjoy the scene while Archangel Michael slays the devil/dragon/whatever. During WWII occupation this was a place of many conflicts between occupying Nazis and the French resistance as well as the student riots in the '60s.

as a spiritual 'Soixante-huitard'
(if you thrive on cultural sterotypes... :P)
this place holds a special relevance for me.

There were lots of cafes here for some good people-watching, and overall Place St Michel is just an excellent area to walk, hang & chill.

At night you can watch fire-eaters, or sit down at a cafe table
and if you're lucky enough, have a french "lady" you have never seen before
(with her right hand) cadge / con you for drinks, smoke your cigarettes;
and (with her left hand) honk you under the table.

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I started my trail along the Latin Quarter from Saint Julien le Pauvre church, placed in the Way of St. James. It is one of the oldest churches in Paris, sitting near the Seine, in the other river side of Notre-Dame Cathedral. It was built between 1165 and 1220. At least three saints can be claimed as patron of this church, but it is most likely that Saint Julian the Hospitaller (or the Poor) was the one originally intended. The University of Paris held its official meetings in a room of the church until 1524, when a student protest created so much damage that the meetings were barred from the church by Parliament. This meeting room was demolished in the 17th century and that's why the main façade looks like it lastes a part. This church looks like a countryside hermitage and it's very simple from its outside.

Empecé mi ruta por el Barrio Latino desde la iglesia de Saint Julien le Pauvre, en el Camino de Santiago. Esta es una de las iglesias más antiguas de París, situada cenrca del Sena, al otro lado de río de la Catedral de Notre-Dame. Se construyó entre 1165 y 1220. Puede decirse que al menos tres santos son los patrones de esta iglesia, pero el más claro es San Julian el Hospitalario (o el pobre), al que primero se dedicó la parroquia. La Universidad de París celebraba sus reuniones oficiales en una sala de esta iglesia hasta que una protesta estudiantil hizo tantos destrozos en 1524 que el Parlamento prohibió hacer aquí las reuniones. La sala fue derribada en el siglo XVIII y por eso que a la fachada parece como si le faltara un trozo. La iglesia parece una hermita de campo y es muy simple en su exterior.

Opening hours / Horario de apertura

Everyday / Todos los días: 9:30 - 13:00 and 15:00 - 18:30

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For a time, the City of Paris considered turning the church into a museum, but in 1889, St. Julien was instead reconsecrated and assigned to the Melkites, a congregation of Eastern Catholics who observe the Byzantine Rite and have their own Patriarch, but are still in communion with the Pope in Rome. It remains a Melkite church, Greek Catholic Rite, to the present day and you can see it's very different from a Roman Rite church. I like this church, very similar like the orthodox worship places. It is also the setting for chamber and religious music concerts.

Durante un tiempo, la ciudad de París estuvo considerando convertir esta iglesia en un museo, pero en 1889 se resacralizó Saint Julien y en 1892 se asignó a los Melquitas, una congregación de católicos orientales que observan el rito bizantino y tiene su propio patriarca, pero que continuan en comunión con el Papa de Roma. Hoy en día continua siendo una iglesia Melkita, de culto católico griego y se puede ver claramente que es diferente a cualquier iglesia de rito romano. Me gusta esta iglesia, muy similar a los lugares d eoración ortodoxos. Éste es también lugar para conciertos de música religiosa.

Mass schedule / Horario de misas

Tuesday and Thursday / Martes y jueves: 12:15 (Mass / Misa)
Wednesnay and Friday / Miércoles y viernes: 12:15 (Canonical hours / Horas canónicas)
Saturday / Sábado: 17:00 (Vespers / Vísperas)
Sunday / Domingo: 11:00 (Sunday Mass / Misa dominical)

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North of the church, in the garden, exists the oldest tree of Paris (planted in 1602) by Jean Robin, gardener in chief of the field of the Apothecaries. It is also known as the "Lucky Tree of Paris", as it is thought to bring years of good luck to those who gently touch the tree's bark. There are some Roman remains along the garden. But the most remarkable spot is a modern fountain, devoted to St. Julien the Hospitaller. It has a triangular shape and there are many small figures depicting him supporting and comforting others.

Al norte de la iglesia, en el jardín, está el arbol más antiguo de París (plantado en 1602) por Jean Robin, jardinero jefe en el campo de farmacéuticos. También se le llama "el Arbol de la Suerte de París", porque se piensa que el que toque su tronco tendrá varios años de buena suerte. Hay algunos restos romanos a lo largo del jardín. Pero lo que más llama la atención es una fuente moderna dedicada a San Julian el Hospitalario. Tiene forma triangular y muchas figuras pequeñas que lo representan apoyando y confortando a gente.

The heart of the Latin Quarter is of course the Sorbonne University. It is one of the oldest and most famous college in the world. At the very beginning, it was a theology school, and the name "Latin Quarter" comes from the fact that at that time all the lessons were given in latin.

I had the chance to study here for one year (in history). It was impressing to have classes in these rooms with beautiful painted ceilings. But contrary to what most people think, the Sorbonne is not a "top level" university like Oxford or Yale... In France all the universities have pretty much the same level and the choice is made depending on where you live, not of your grades.
Our top level schools are what we call the "Grandes Ecoles" like "Sciences Po" or "Polytechnique"...

Normally you can enter the building only if you have a student card. But you can try to have a look inside pretending that you come to get some information about the foreign student programm for example...

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Well, I ran into this area as I was looking for the train stop, and I am soooo happy I did....I had not spoken to anyone who had mentioned the Latin Quarter to me, so I'm glad I found it.....This is probably the cheapest and best meals you will have in all of Paris.....the narrow streets are lined with all types of restaurants offering every type of food your looking for...pastries, cheese stores, all foods.......Spend having lunch here !!! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED IT !!!!!! and for those who fear the language barrier....most of the places have English menu's !!!!!

The Church of Saint-Séverin (Eglise Saint-Séverin) is a small church in the Latin Quarter of Paris, located on the lively tourist street Rue St-Séverin. It is the oldest church that remains standing on the Left Bank, and it continues in use as a place of worship.

The church is dedicated to Séverin, who who lived and prayed there in a small oratory. After Séverin's death, a basilica was constructed, later destroyed by the Vikings. The current church was started in the 11th century, though its major features are Gothic from the 15th century.
With some fine gargoyles, it has the oldest bell in Paris, cast in 1412.