Paris’s Latin Quarter

"K2T Wisata"

The day after Montmartre I wanted to have a “lazy day” and just chill and do some writing but, same as before, I couldn’t help knowing I was still in a trip to Paris, and leaving the next day, so it was up to me to make the best out of it. I tried to use the drizzle as an excuse, but it did not work with my friends, who urged me to just leave the couch and go take a walk or do something!

I did not feel like going far or taking the metro this time, but there was still a prefect plan for me: touring the Latin Quarter, which is just a few blocks from where I was.

The short walk on Avenue des Gobelins made me think of, from all the times I had been there, how I had mostly ignored the “Manufacture des Gobelins”, a traditional tapestry factory located very close to the “Les Gobelins” metro station, in the district XIIIe. This magnificent building was once the factory where the royalties had their tapestries and furniture made, including the court of Louis XIV and later monarchs.

Nowadays, the “Manufacture des Gobelins” belongs to the French Ministry of Culture and functions as a museum, which offers guided tours on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, both at 2 and 2.45pm. In any case, with all my procrastinating, it was way past those hours when I walked by Des Gobelins, so maybe next time…

The weather was a bit humid, but it was a bright day with pleasant temperature, with no need to wear more than a sleeveless vest to keep warm. Even when it was already February, some of the stores still had “Soldes” –sales- signs on their windows. Still, since shopping sales in Europe normally take place from the beginning of January, there is not a lot left by this time, but it is worth checking things out if you can only arrive in Europe in February. You will miss the crowds and the crazy shopping, but might still get a good deal on an item you like.

By the end of the Avenue des Gobelins there is a Starbucks coffee and, right on the left of it, the beginning of Rue Mouffetard. Almost three years ago, but in a much warmer summer day, I had walked this same route with a couple of friends, when about to say goodbye to one of them that was flying back home that afternoon, so it was funny to find myself there again, but on my own.

The Rue Mouffetard is one of the eldest streets in Paris, and therefore a very picturesque place to visit. It is also a very touristy place, where foreigners doing tourism in Paris are easily identified because of their cameras and backpacks, while the locals head to the little cozy restaurants and cafés, or carry their groceries in their shopping carts.

There is a lot of “Fromageries” in this street, selling all varieties of cheese. Bakers, butchers, grocers, fishmongers, cheese makers, gardeners and retailers are also some of the typical characters you can find selling their goods in their shops on both sides of the Rue Mouffetard. I tried to buy some souvenir gifts but found them to be a bit pricey in this street, so I decided to keep walking instead.

By the end of Rue Mouffetard I turned left towards the Montagne Sainte-Geneviève (5th district). After a couple of blocks, I arrived in a building I remembered seeing before. It was a church, but I couldn’t recall the name. Out of curiosity I searched for the sign and, when I found out it was the Église Saint-Étienne-du-Mont, dedicated to Sainte Geneviève. I recalled hearing that name a lot in Paris and, moreover, it is the translation of my name to French, so I decided to go in.

There were a few tourists inside, as well as even less devotees praying in the different chapels. I was first surprised by a beautiful rood screen that is the only one left in Paris. Then I spent some time in the shrine of Sainte Genievève, and found out why her name was so familiar: she is the patron of Paris! Still, because of the linkage of her name and mine, I decided to light a candle.

When I exited Saint-Étienne-du-Mont I realized I was just on one side of the Pantheon of Paris, where many important French figures and prominent people are buried. I had never been inside of it, so I decided to give it a try. It was only 4.30 and they close at 6, but Pantheon staff seem to take closure times very seriously –or visitors normally take too much time to visit the Pantheon of Paris-, and so I was warned of their closing time and advised to start from the end: the back of the crypt. I visited the tombs of several important people like Voltaire and Rousseau, Victor Hugo, Alexandre Dumas, Louis Braille, René Cassin, Jean Monnet, Pierre and Marie Curie.

Got done with the Pantheon by 5.30, and then walked down to Le Jardin du Luxembourg, a beautiful park in Paris, but unfortunately during winter time they close 5.30, and I was not allowed in the gardens. Still, close to the gardens, on the street that leads to the Pantheon, I found a souvenir store where I bought the gifts I needed.

I stopped by the “Poste” or post office -conveniently widespread all over Paris, look for the yellow sign with a blue logo – and luckily it was still open, as they close at 8pm on weekdays. I found out for a small package it made more sense to buy an envelope in a bookshop – of the kind with bubbles on it- and so I did. The staff were helpful and I didn’t take a long time in there, very efficient!

I walked back to Avenue des Gobelins, taking pictures of the streets illuminated in sunset dim lights and colors, and with reflections of the buildings on the pavement still wet from the rain. By 7pm I was home, after a three-hour walk in beautiful Paris. Thanks to all the editors of E Travel Blog for valuing my articles and giving me this space again.