Blvd. Saint-Michel and Environs Nightlife Area / Shopping Area / Square

Latin Quarter - 5eme, Paris –

The Latin Quarter around Blvd. Saint-Michel is named after the students of the Sorbonne who have populated the area since the thirteenth century, in the days when they spoke the scholarly language of Latin.

Not much has changed in the last eight hundred years, since the area remains dedicated to and populated by students from around the world. The international flavor is most evident in the Chinese, Greek, Japanese, Italian, and French restaurants and specialty food stores that line the streets.

Though Blvd. Saint-Michel is a broad street with recognizable store names and bustling activity, visitors will want to stray from the main square to explore the charming cobblestone passages that shoot off in all directions.

Since something is happening every hour of the day in this animated, dynamic neighborhood, it’s always worth it to spend an afternoon wandering aimlessly and being guided by the narrow streets past all the local restaurants, boutiques, and novelty shops that give the area its true European flair.

When it’s time for a rest or a late afternoon pub crawl, visitors should make their way to Rue de la Huchette where many of Saint-Michel’s drinking establishments are located.