| The thing I like doing most in Paris, by far, is | | | | Saint-Julien-le-Pauvre. I will give you no directions |
| roaming the crooked romantic streets of its | | | | to them; the fun is in seeking them out. Don't |
| famous Latin Quarter. This may be the most | | | | worry, you won't get lost; but if you do get lost, |
| famous neighborhood on the planet. The Latin | | | | more's the fun! |
| Quarter got its name from the Latin-speaking | | | | Place Maubert (Metro: Maubert/Mutualite) is a |
| students way back when, when the area was | | | | beautiful square. I like to take first-time visitors to |
| dominated by the Sorbonne. | | | | Paris there, and lead them from there to Notre |
| The best place to start your exploration of the | | | | Dame; and when we reach the river Seine, they |
| Latin Quarter might be the huge fountain by | | | | get a great view of the dramatic (and most |
| Davioud at the head of the boulevard Saint-Michel. | | | | beautiful) east side of the cathedral, with its |
| This is a great spot to find a place to sit or just | | | | pronounced & graceful flying buttresses. |
| to lean and watch all the stylish and chic people | | | | There are plenty of great bookshops to explore. |
| pass by. It's also a great meeting place: "Meet me | | | | You will also find quick food from many |
| at the fountain!" Then, facing the fountain, begin | | | | nationalities here. Food vendors will tempt you |
| your wandering east and south into the | | | | right on the street as they carve their lamb and |
| neighborhood. And if you get lost, so much the | | | | beef beneath your nose and before your eyes. |
| better. | | | | So sample whatever you think your stomach can |
| Such interesting streets here. The streets aren't | | | | bear. |
| laid out in that mind-numbing way most | | | | You might want to end things at the beautiful |
| modern-day developers lay out streets: every | | | | Luxembourg Gardens, where you can cool off in |
| street running north and south or east and west | | | | a shady spot. It's easy to find. It's down the |
| to infinity. No, these streets meander. They are | | | | boulevard Saint-Michel, just about opposite the |
| crooked. They are charming and narrow, and | | | | Sorbonne. You can't miss it: just look for |
| there is always something photographable to be | | | | greenery, flowers . . . a palace. |
| found around the next bend. | | | | I hope you enjoyed this quick stroll through Paris' |
| The Musee de Cluny is worth a visit. You will find | | | | Latin Quarter. See you there again soon! |
| Gallo-Roman ruins and medieval arts and crafts | | | | |
| inside a medieval mansion. Be sure to hunt out the | | | | |
| ancient and beautiful churches of the Latin | | | | Do drop in at the author's homepage just to say |
| Quarter, Saint-Severin & | | | | hello. |