The Latin Quarter

The Pantheon flanked by unusual apartments

Much of Paris is grandiose, in the best sense of the word, but the Latin Quarter brings you back down to earth. It’s a vibrant mix of restaurants, bistros, cafes, tourist shops and street entertainers with the addition of some spectacular buildings. Life is never dull here and the lively atmosphere is in contrast to some of the quieter parts of the city.

This area, just south of the Seine and taking in the 5th and 6th arrondisements, derives its name from the classical language that was widely spoken in the Sorbonne University - France’s oldest - from its inception in the 13th century and the many colleges and schools that opened here in the following centuries.

Saint Severin
My favourite Paris hotel, the Henri IV Rive Gauche, is perfectly placed for access to the Latin Quarter - leave by the front door, stroll across the road and you’re there! In fact, you’ll be standing right next to the Church of Saint-Severin which dates back to the 11th century and is therefore one of the oldest on the left bank. Many of its features are late-15th century Gothic and, although not quite as majestic as those of nearby Notre Dame are still of considerable interest to photographers.

Many more notable buildings, some of which would be stand-outs in most other cities, can be found within the Latin Quarter. Chief amongst these is the huge Pantheon, originally built as a church but probably best known now as the burial place of the famous and national heroes-Voltaire, Rousseau, Marat, Victor Hugo, Émile Zola, Jean Moulin and Marie Curie to name but a handful. It’s a building of immense presence sitting at the top of a gentle rise southwards from the Seine and looking out across the city. Picture opportunities abound in this area both within and outwith the Pantheon.

Sitting next to The Pantheon is the lovely Eglise St-Etienne du Mont, built in honour of the city’s patron saint, St Geneviève. And when you’re finished checking out these two architectural gems, there are lots of bars and restaurants, particularly along Rue Mouffetard, where you recharge for another round round of sight-seeing and photography. The area around Rue Mouffetard is one of the oldest in Paris and the street itself also features an open air market.

Other notable buildings and attractions in the Latin Quarter include the trio of the Palais, Jardin and Musee du Luxembourg, the Sorbonne and L’Église Saint-Sulpice which featured in Dan Brown’s novel, The Da Vinci Code. And, of course, there’s the Musee de Cluny, a direct link to the city’s medieval past. Dating back to the 15th and 16th centuries, it became a public museum in 1843. It sits on Place Paul Painlevé to the south of the Boulevard Saint Germain and is famous for its medieval tapestries and sculptures from the 7th and 8th centuries.

Street snapping
However, the Latin Quarter also excels when it comes to street photography. The bohemian nature of the place means that people are less likely to become agitated if you point a camera in their direction. It’s been a rich source of black and white street pics for me using my favourite approach of finding a good backdrop and then waiting for someone interesting to walk in front of it.

In the evening, this area really comes to life. The streets are lined with good value and reasonable restaurants and filled with diners going to and fro. With an ISO of 1600 set on the camera and a fast lens, it’s possible to get pictures of people out for the evening, all set against the ancient and narrow streets of this colourful part of Paris.

Copyright © 2008 Paris Travelogue

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