The Latin Quarter at a glance
The Latin Quarter is on the Rive Gauche, the left bank of the Seine, and tourist guides place it in the 5th arrondissement. The name is a tourist name, not an official district, so there is no exact boundary. The usual reference points are the Sorbonne, the Musée de Cluny, the Panthéon and the Rue Mouffetard.
From Notre-Dame you cross the river to reach it. The Métro station Saint-Michel on line 4 is closed until 19 December 2026, so read the transport section below before you plan the way. This site is an independent guide. It is not connected to the places named here.
What to see, with practical notes
Hours as listed for 2026. Check them before you go.
| Place | What it is | Hours | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shakespeare and Company | Bookshop | Monday to Wednesday 10:00–20:00, Thursday to Saturday 10:00–21:00, Sunday 12:00–19:00 | Events can mean earlier closing |
| Panthéon | Monument | 1 April to 30 September 10:00–18:30, 1 October to 31 March 10:00–18:00 | Last entry 45 minutes before closing |
| Sorbonne | University landmark | – | Walk past from the outside |
| Musée de Cluny | Museum | Check current hours | Check before you go |
| Rue Mouffetard | Street | – | Reference point for the quarter |
The Panthéon may close early when it is very busy. For the island side of the walk, see the Île de la Cité guide.
Our picks: Latin Quarter
A longer walk with a local guide or a shorter one with tastings.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in euros (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Old Town and Latin Quarter walk
About two and a half to three hours on the Left Bank with a local guide, history and views from outside. Meals, snacks and water are not included.
Check availability →Latin Quarter walk with small tastings
Two hours with a guide, a mix of snacks and recommendations for the area. Drinks and tips are not included.
Check availability →Tours in the Latin Quarter and around Notre-Dame
Walking tours, food walks and combinations with the island, with live prices and availability.
Shakespeare and Company: rules to know
A small shop with a queue when it is busy.
Address and hours
The bookshop is at 37 Rue de la Bûcherie, 75005 Paris. It is open from 10:00 on Monday to Saturday and from 12:00 on Sunday. Special events can lead to an earlier closing, so check the day.
No photos inside
Photos and filming are not allowed inside the shop. Take your pictures of the front from the street.
Bags
Large bags are not allowed. Items with any side over 40 cm are generally not admitted, and there is no luggage storage. If you come from the station with a suitcase, leave it somewhere else first.
Queues
When the shop is full, only a limited number of people go in at a time, so expect a line in busy hours.
Getting there in 2026
Métro line 4 is closed at Saint-Michel from 14 September to 19 December 2026. Trains do not stop there. The notice names only that station on line 4, so it is not a statement about the RER or the rest of the network. The RER B and C station Saint-Michel Notre-Dame and the Métro station Cité on line 4 are the other listed ways to reach the area. Check the status of each on the day.
A single ticket for Métro, train and RER costs €2.55 in 2026, or €1.30 reduced. Children aged 4 to under 10 pay the reduced fare. The ticket lets you change within 2 hours without leaving the network. A bus or tram ticket costs €2.05, or €1.05 reduced. The Latin Quarter is an area to walk, so you may not need more than one or two tickets a day.
Plan a half day
One way to combine the left bank with the cathedral.
Start at the cathedral
Notre-Dame is free to enter and opens at 07:50 on weekdays. Details are on the opening hours page.
Cross to the left bank
Walk over the river and head for the bookshop on Rue de la Bûcherie.
Panthéon and Rue Mouffetard
The Panthéon closes at 18:00 or 18:30 depending on the season. Add the Rue Mouffetard if you want a street to walk.
Back to the island
The Sainte-Chapelle needs a timed slot. Book it before you choose your afternoon. See the Sainte-Chapelle page.
If you want a museum day on the other bank, the Louvre has its own guide: see the Louvre guide.
Latin Quarter: frequently asked questions
Where is the Latin Quarter?
On the left bank of the Seine, in the 5th arrondissement according to tourist guides. It is a tourist name, so the edges are not exact. The Sorbonne, the Musée de Cluny, the Panthéon and the Rue Mouffetard are the usual reference points.
Is the Métro station Saint-Michel open?
No. Line 4 does not stop at Saint-Michel from 14 September to 19 December 2026. Check the RER B and C and the Cité station on the day you travel.
Can I take photos in Shakespeare and Company?
Not inside. Photos and filming are not allowed in the shop, and large bags are not admitted.
What are the Panthéon hours?
From 1 April to 30 September 10:00–18:30, from 1 October to 31 March 10:00–18:00. The last entry is 45 minutes before closing, and the monument can close early when it is very busy.
Do I need a car in the Latin Quarter?
No. It is a walking area. A car park at 19 Rue Lagrange, 75005 Paris, lists €4.80 for one hour and €14.40 for three hours as of 2026, but it is not a cathedral car park.